How to increase milk production

The most common reason for insufficient milk production is poor breast emptying due to incorrect positioning, incorrect breastfeeding and latching, too many short breastfeeds or insufficiently frequent breastfeeding, breastfeeding according to a set schedule, instead of responsive breastfeeding, according to the baby's needs.

Breast emptying and milk production are related. If the breast is not emptied to a sufficient extent, milk production will decrease. When a baby suckles efficiently, there will usually be enough milk. If the child does not suckle enough on the breast because he/she was born preterm, with low weight or is sick, breast stimulation is also missing. Psychological factors, pain, stress, lack of support from the partner and family have an impact equal to medical or "technical" problems with breastfeeding.

How to increase milk production

Improve breastfeeding technique.

  • Good grip and latching on the breast allow the baby to suckle efficiently and get more milk.
  • In this way, the breast is stimulated to produce more milk and meet the baby's needs.
  • Some children thrive well even when latching is not optimal, because the mother initially produces a lot of milk. If the baby does not stimulate the breast enough, milk production may decrease in the coming months. Your baby will then become restless while on the breast, may completely refuse to suckle, or breastfeeds may be very short, because milk flow does not meet his/her needs.
  • To prevent this, try to improve your baby's grip and latching on the breast right at the beginning.

Help your baby by squeezing milk out.

This can improve milk flow and help the baby suckle longer. If your baby quickly falls asleep on the breast, good positioning on the breast followed by breast compression will stimulate milk flow. The baby will start suckling and wake up as the milk comes in. Squeeze your breast between your thumb and fingers, as far away from your nipple as possible; the pressure should be strong enough, but not painful. Squeeze while the baby is suckling, rest when the baby is resting. If your baby suckles vigorously and actively, there is no need to squeeze milk out.

Feed your baby often and well

  • Increase the frequency of breastfeeds to 8-12, and more if necessary; don’t forget night-time breastfeeding;
  • Do not set the spacing and length of breastfeeds, leave it to the baby.
  • Make sure the baby is in a good position.
  • Don't wait for the breasts to "fill up" for the baby to eat. There is always milk for the baby, even when they seem empty. Moreover, if the baby suckles more often, not only will the amount of milk increase in a few days, but the baby will also gain more weight because he/she will eat more of the hindmilk, which is more nutritious.
  • Breastfeeds must be not only more frequent, but also more efficient. A baby who is not lively and does not suckle efficiently, but sleeps with a nipple in his/her mouth, should be encouraged by skin-to-skin contact, unwrapping (in a warm room, of course), or carrying in a carrier during breastfeeding.
  • Addition of any tea or formula can disrupt the supply-demand relationship in breastmilk production.
  • Empty the breast after a breastfeed. In some breastfeeds, the baby eats up everything and wants more, in some not. This happens in specific cases when the baby is nervous about something, when his/her teeth erupt, when the mother changes her deodorant and the like. After the baby no longer wants to suckle, even after stimulation (skin-to-skin contact, carrying), empty the breast after breastfeeding by expressing for another 2 minutes after the last drop of milk has flown out.
  • Drink plenty of fluids. Not too much, but enough: about one glass during one breastfeed.
  • Rest. This is especially possible if you breastfeed often, so you are compelled to sit or lie down with the baby often. In addition to breastfeeding, it would be good to find something that mentally relaxes you, at least for a few minutes a day.
  • Follow some of these tips and wait a day or two. This may seem like a very long time, but as the methods are based on many other mothers' experience and the latest scientific knowledge, there is no reason why you shouldn't believe in your own success. Relax, enjoy being with your baby and believe in yourself.

Breastfeeding crisis or lactation crisis                 

There are situations when it may seem that the baby's needs exceed what you can offer. This especially happens in the afternoon/evening or for a few days during the baby's developmental leaps, i.e. phases of increased feeding needs. These are normal stages that all babies go through (some sooner, some later, with different intensity), usually at the age of 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks or around 3 months. Avoid the mistake of introducing supplementation or giving up breastfeeding! Periods of such increased needs are stressful for both you and the baby, but they pass quickly.

If the mother feels that her breasts are empty or notices that they are smaller than in the previous days and weeks, it does not mean that there is no milk!

Think of yourself too:

  • Do you have regular meals and drink enough fluids?
  • Do you manage to balance baby care with your other responsibilities?
  • Do you manage to relax and rest during the day?

If you have questions, dilemmas or doubts about breastfeeding, call the "Hello Baby" telephone counseling service of the Belgrade City Institute of Public Health at 011/7158-444. The visiting nurses on phone duty (24/7) will provide you with professional assistance and advice, and help you calm down.