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Let me start by saying, fed is fed. If you chose to feed your baby formula, by choice or not, you’re doing great! If your baby has a full tummy at the end of the day, you’re doing great in this area! This info may pertain to the breastfeeding, milk producing mommas but we support you and we see you! You are not less of a mother by bottle feeding or formula feeding in general. I just wanted to throw that out there!
However, if you are a mother who nurses her baby, I see you too and I am with you! The nutrition from breastfeeding your baby is amazing. Not to mention the bond that is created through breastfeeding! I love being able to feed my babies for free. Can I be real?! The cost of baby formula is wild! And I can’t imagine what those mother who do formula feed go through every time they have to go to the store and pray for the formula that may or may not be there with the formula shortage. Back to a lighter note…
I started my journey with breastfeeding my daughter in 2020 and it was amazing until I had to return to a negative work environment. My milk supply dipped drastically and I would like to say that it was a stretch to breastfeed her for a full 18 months but it was a strain. I was doing everything I could to increase my milk supply, not knowing that the reason my milk supply was low in the first place was my work environment and the stress that I was under. That’s a topic for later. We got to 18 months and then I slowly weaned my sweet girl off of “mommy’s milkies”. It was such a hard thing for me to let go of because of the bond we had. So of course I created ways to keep the bond strong (another conversation to be had). When I had my twin boys in 2023, I was concerned that my body wouldn’t be able to keep up with the demand from my boys but I spoke over my milk production my whole pregnancy so I knew God would come through and He did! I have not had any dips in my milk supply but I have made sure to take steps to prevent any dips from happening. I’m excited to share some of those tips with you today!
Tips to Keep Your Milk Supply Soaring
- Hydrate!
I have water with me at all times. Because if it is not in front of me, I won’t be reminded to drink it. A nursing mother is supposed to drink 16 cups of water a day. Up a whole 8 cups from your regular daily intake. Water can be incorporated in so many ways! Think water filled foods and drinks that increase hydration. Soups, sports drinks, coconut water, Body Armor (my go-to, always in my fridge hydration) are all great options! And if you can’t stand water, add something to make it tasty! I use a few other items like XS CocoWater and Nutrilite Twist Tubes 2GO when I am tired of water.
2. Supplements!
There are plenty of things out there that are safe to take while breastfeeding. Always check with your medical provider before taking anything. My go-to are Bobbie Bears Lactation Gummies and boy do they taste good! I take these every morning along with my other vitamins. Prenatal vitamins are also important to continue taking after giving birth not only for you but because your baby can still absorb some of the vitamins excreted through your breast milk.
If you do not like hot tea, brew it and place it in the fridge and have a nice iced lactation tea! This tea has helped me a ton. When I feel like I have not been on top of my water intake in a day or two, I will drink a cup or three (yes, three cups is allowed) throughout the day! The next day I am usually leaking milk by time I wake.
4. Power Pump
If you have not heard of the term, it is a way to increase the demand placed on your breasts. Breastmilk production is a supply and demand thing. The more the demand is there, the more the supply kicks in. Power Pumping is a technique used over an hour period when you pump for 20 minutes, rest for 10 minutes, pump for 10 minutes, and rest for 10 minutes, and pump one last time for 10 minutes. This mimics cluster feeding for your breasts to think, “wow this kid needs a lot of milk, let me kick it up a notch!”. I will use this in conjunction with having a cup of tea at the end of the night if I feel my milk supply needs a little help.
5. Pump after every feeding.
Something I did with my daughter was pump for 10 minutes after I fed her to make sure I got all of the milk out to encourage more being produced. I do not do this with my twins because… I would be hooked up to something or someone for 75% of the day. I also am now at home with my kiddos so I exclusively nurse my boys. I did build my supply in the first 6 weeks for baby sitters on date nights, ect. But most of my milk goes directly to my boys.
Breastfeeding is not the convenient option. It take a lot of your freedom away but it gives you something you can never get back as a mother; a bond created through direct nurturing and nourishment through the use of your own body. Keep at it mommas! Be sure to check in with a lactation specialist or medical provider for more tips! A link to my favorite breastfeeding counselor is below! Let these tips go to work for you! Be sure to take what you need and leave what you don’t! If you don’t agree with some of these methods, great! Share your thoughts and tips! This is a community and I want everyone to feel they have a voice in the community I am creating with all of you, as long as it’s a positive voice!
Together, we rise!
Sylvia is an amazing person, business owner, mother, wife and friend who takes pride in the fact that she nursed her children and is able to help other moms through her own experiences and training. Check out her site if you’re looking for a breastfeeding counselor!
