Breastfeeding can be a beautiful experience, but for many new moms, concerns about milk supply can be stressful. If you're wondering how to increase milk supply, you're not alone. With the right information and habits, most moms can support and boost their body’s ability to produce breast milk.
In this guide, we’re sharing 15 practical tips to help increase milk supply, whether you're exclusively breastfeeding, pumping, or doing a combo of both. These are essential tips you want to know if you are nursing...while there is tons of info out there, don't go without these! Let's begin...
1. Nurse Often, Pump more Often as Need, and Nurse on Demand (not a schedule)
Breastfeeding is a supply-and-demand system. The more your baby nurses, the more signals your body gets to make milk. Feed your baby frequently, even if it’s just for comfort, especially during growth spurts.
Avoid schedules...crying baby? Nurse.
Pump often. If you have milk left...pump it out and this signals the body to make more milk.
2. Make Sure Baby Has a Good Latch and Lose the Pacifier
A proper latch ensures your baby is effectively emptying the breast, which is key to keeping your milk flowing. If breastfeeding is painful or baby seems unsatisfied, speak with a lactation consultant to fine-tune the latch.
This leads to...you are the pacifier. In regards to nursing on demand, part of full time nursing is sometimes becoming the paci to your kid. It doesn't mean you can't have a pacifier if you do use it, but the more your baby nurses, the less you might be needing the pacifier and the more your child nurses...the more your body is signaled to make milk.
3. Try Breast Compression While Nursing
Breast compression helps milk flow better and keeps baby interested longer during a feed. Gently compress forward the breast, from the back forward, with your hand during nursing to help fully drain the milk ducts. This also increases release of that nutritious hindmilk which contains fat, essential for the growing baby.
4. Empty Both Breasts During Each Feeding
Switch sides during a nursing session to make sure both breasts are stimulated. This not only helps boost milk production but also keeps milk from building up and causing discomfort.
FIRST, empty one side...THEN switch. This is a 100% essential tip for stimulating breast milk production.
👚 Pro Tip: Wear nursing tank tops or nursing tee shirts that make switching sides easy and fuss-free—especially in public or on the go!
5. Stay Hydrated and Well-Nourished
Your body needs extra fluids and nutrients to make milk. Aim to drink water throughout the day and eat nutrient-dense meals including leafy greens, oatmeal, avocados, and whole grains.
🥤 A good rule of thumb: drink a full glass of water every time you nurse.
WATER IS ESSENTIAL. REAL FOOD IS ESSENTIAL. You should have a water bottle at your nursing station at all times. No water,no good food = less milk.
Set yourself up for success each week with a little weekend meal prep. Make microwave-ready oatmeal jars, pack smoothie ingredients in freezer bags for quick blending, prep a hearty casserole dish, and keep fresh fruits and avocados on hand for easy, nourishing snacks.
6. Pump After Nursing Sessions
Incorporating a 10–15 minute pumping session after breastfeeding can help stimulate additional milk production by signaling your body to increase supply. For a more intensive approach, power pumping—short, frequent sessions every hour over a few hours—mimics a baby’s cluster feeding pattern and has been shown to effectively boost milk output.
7. Try Galactagogues (Milk-Boosting Foods)
Certain foods and herbs are thought to support lactation. Try adding oatmeal, fenugreek, fennel, brewer’s yeast, and moringa into your diet to help increase milk supply naturally.
🌿 Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements!
8. Wear Comfortable Nursing Clothes
This is actually a very important aspect of being successful at breastfeeding and producing more breast milk because it will be helpful in inspiring you to nurse your baby often, in public, and all the time. If you are fussing about what to wear, you are not going to nurse your baby. It might be inconvenient and uncomfortable. If you DO have the right clothes, you will be able to nurse your baby whenever you want, and feel good about it. This will help increase milk supply!
Tight, uncomfortable tops can cause pressure that restricts milk flow. Soft, breathable clothes like a nursing sweatshirt or loose-fitting nursing tank top can help you feel cozy and ready to feed baby anywhere.
🧣 Try layering with a soft hoodie or nursing tee shirt that doesn’t scream "nursing top"—just effortless mom style. A nursing tank top that is casual and comfy is the best investment so you can nurse when outside, easily.
9. Take a Nursing Vacay
This can mean actually going away for a bit and focusing on nursing while you are away, or do this at home...but set aside three days where you super hyper-focus on nursing your child and spending a lot of this bonding time with them.
Have tons of snacks, water, meals, and comfy nursing clothes on hand. Be ready to follow these tips and reset your body so it is signaled to make more milk.
Sometimes a little extra focus on this goal over a few days can be good for the mind and body, and you'll feel ready to keep going after it's been done.
10. Talk with a Lactation Consultant
These best tips to increase milk supply are in no particular order, but this one is one of the top must dos. A lactation support professional can give you some one on one time to physically show you how to get the latch right and that latch is essential! If you are struggling, this is a very important part of having the right headstart on your nursing journey.
11. Use Breast Massage
In a warm shower, gently massage the breast for a minute and allow any clogs to loosen and your milk to keep moving. This helps your breasts feel more comfortable and also stimulate milk production.
In addition, when nursing, you can lightly massage forward for a few seconds to get that hindmilk flowing.
12. Skin to Skin
Skin to skin naturally signals your body to produce milk and feed your baby. It's like when milk seems to be stimulated when you hear your baby cry...it's a similar response. A lot of good feeling hormones and your body and baby will both bond and benefit from skin to skin. A nursing sweatshirt can allow for this and provide warmth and cozy comfort.
13. Go Outside
Get used to nursing your baby outside of the house. You guys need to get out, breathe fresh air, and feel the warm sunshine. Sometimes, we don't do this because we just want to nurse at home. Unless you can commit to that schedule, it is a best to get adjusted to nursing where ever you are and its super essential to keep your milk supply thriving.
The proper nursing clothes are a must so you can feel comfortable while nursing in public and not be afraid to nurse your baby outside. Doing so, will allow your body to relax, not have a schedule, and your body will make more milk.
14. Get Enough Rest (As Much as Possible!)
Sounds difficult...because it can be, but lack of sleep can impact your milk supply. Prioritize rest where you can—nap with baby, share responsibilities, and lean on your support system.
🛌 Even a little rest goes a long way in helping your body recover and produce milk efficiently.
Sometimes it really comes down to trying to have a cat nap when baby naps and choosing sleep whenever you get the chance.
15. Reduce Stress and Give Yourself Grace
Your mental and emotional health is just as important as your physical health. Stress can affect your letdown reflex and milk supply. Give yourself grace, celebrate small wins, and know that you're doing an amazing job.
Do NOT force yourself to just nurse if you have a crying and upset baby and after all these tips, you are not making huge leaps. The best...is FED. This means, talk to your doctor and do what is best and if that means just nursing or incorporating formula, it is okay! You have to feed your child because a fed child is more of a happy child, so try these tips and keep going while allowing yourself to find balance for what works best for you and baby.
Breastfeeding is a journey, not a destination. Every mom's body and baby are different—what works for one may not work for another. You need to feel confident, informed, and supported.
If you're ever unsure, reach out to your pediatrician or a certified lactation consultant for personalized help. You are not alone!
0 comments