You Should Know

If there is a problem with milk supply, initial interventions should be directed at increasing the demand on the breast, which will naturally increase the supply.

1. Ensure that baby is transferring milk effectively. Have your feeding technique reviewed and the baby's suck assessed by a lactation consultant or other professional knowledgeable about breastfeeding. Correct any identified problems.
2. Try using breast compressions while feeding to increase the amount of ilk the baby is able to access during a feed.
3. Increase the frequency of feeds. The easiest way of ensuring an adequate supply is to feed your baby on cue, as often and for as long as she likes. Increasing the frequency of feeds increases milk supply by increasing the demand.
4. If factors exist that prevent you from increasing the amount of time the baby is spending at your breast, or if it has been determined that your baby is not removing milk from your breast efficiently, consider pumping your breasts. Adding pumping sessions between feeds or at the end of feeds will increase demand and consequently increase supply.
5. Take a nursing vacation. Remove all extraneous distractions and focus on your and your baby spending time together, doing nothing but eating and sleeping. A mini vacation of 2 to 3 days, with frequent feeding and lots of rest for you, can also work wonders for a low milk supply.

~ Excerpted from Canada's Pregnancy Care Book.