Increase Lactation for Breastfeeding Naturally

While it is a wonderful decision to breastfeed your baby, because of the short and long term benefits for both mother and baby, at times it might be a bit of a challenge to produce breast milk on demand in order to meet a newborn’s need.

Here are a few simple and easy methods that can stimulate milk production:

#1 Drink Enough Water

Approximately 3 to 5 days after giving birth is when a mother’s milk is expected come in. If the milk production is low, the best option at this point is to increase one’s water consumption prior to breastfeeding.

#2. Apply Warm Towels to the Breast to Increase Milk Flow

First sterilize two small towels in hot water; let it cool some what, and then apply them to both to the breast. Remove both towels after 3 to 5 minutes and then breast feed. This should increase the flow of milk dramatically

#3 Eat Well

This may seem like common sense but it is very important to eat a balanced diet when breastfeeding as you need proper nutrition yourself in order to produce milk for your baby. It is also a good way to ensure that the baby is getting a balanced food intake and that your body is able to recover from childbirth in the best conditions.

#4 Gentle Exercise

Going for a walk after eating will also increase milk production, because you are increasing the digestive process and burning energy which increases the secretion of gastric juices.

#5 Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds and fennel tea have traditionally been used for stimulating milk production almost immediately.  

To make fenugreek tea, add a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds to 2 cups of water in a pan and bring to the boil.  Let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes and then remove from the stove and set it aside to brew for about a half hour or until the tea turns dark brown to black.  It is then ready to drink although you may add sugar or honey to taste.

You can also use fennel tea but always make sure that you allow the tea bag to brew in the hot water before removing tea bag from cup. Then sweeten to taste.



#6 Acupuncture
Acupuncture has long been used to address issues of milk production and recent modern research shows its efficacy.  According to Chinese medicine, insufficient milk production is characterized by either:
- breasts are soft and the milk production is insufficient
- breasts are distended but the milk is not flowing
The use of acupuncture can trigger the body to release more prolactin, a hormone essential to milk production.  Acupuncture can also help reduce inflammation and breast engorgement.