If you are reading this, then I am assuming you need a boost in your milk supply. Understanding your body and how it works is the first step you need to take to increase it. I personally had problems with my milk supply. I went to many lactation consultants, took many types of supplements, and drank water like crazy but nothing seemed to work. After days of crying and frustration, I found out how to increase your milk supply quickly. Pumping was the answer. It is a guaranteed way to increase your milk supply.

Understanding How Your Body Works

Your body starts to produce a thick very beneficial substance called colostrum before your baby is born. Your breasts start to produce milk usually three days after your baby is born. But, it produces it slowly and your baby may have a problem with that. The more your baby sucks, the more your breasts are signaled to make more milk. But, sometimes babies don’t suck enough to increase your milk supply because they may have gotten full quickly, fallen asleep, or not been able to latch properly. This all affects your milk supply. If your baby goes through a growth spurt and wants more milk your body would not have it and it will need some time to produce it. That is when your baby begins to cluster feed. That means your baby will be on and off your breasts many times (not every three hours) so it could signal your body to make more.

What Do I Need To Do To Increase My Milk Supply?

In simple terms, the more you empty your breasts, the more milk you will produce. But, breastfeeding may not empty your breasts; so, your milk may not increase or will take a long time to do so. So, what you need to do is to make sure at each feeding (approximately every three hours) is to empty your breasts completely. The only way to guarantee this is to pump. There are tricks to the pump that can help signal your body you need more milk right now. When I used these tricks, I personally saw a change in the next feeding (meaning I had an increase within three hours).

How Should I Use The Pump To Increase My Milk Supply?

There are three ways to do so.

1. If you are exclusively breastfeeding, you should pump right after you are done breastfeeding until no milk is coming down anymore and wait 5 minutes before ending the pumping session. Click here to read my other post “The Ultimate Guide To Breastfeeding“, if you would like to know more about breastfeeding.
2. If you want to exclusively pump, pump every three hours until no milk is coming down and wait another five minutes before ending the pumping session.
3. Power pump. Pump for 20 minutes and take a break for ten minutes. Then pump for ten minutes and take another break for 10 minutes. Do this for one hr. This will trick your body into thinking that your baby is cluster feeding.

Tricks and Tips

• If pumping hurts for you, make sure the size of the phalanges suits your body.
• Start with the lowest suction power then increase gradually every time. This way you won’t hurt your nipples.
• If your milk supply does not increase with pumping, make sure you are drinking enough water. You should drink 8–10 cups daily.
• Make sure to buy a good pump and buy extra pieces with it in case they break.

I recommend reading this if you think fenugreek is a better option.