Comments on: how to increase milk production http://www.babybix.com/blog/2009/03/07/how-to-increase-milk-production/ the official blog for babybix.com Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:02:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: {giveaway} Baby Shower Event: Medela Freestyle Breastpump - babybix blog http://www.babybix.com/blog/2009/03/07/how-to-increase-milk-production/comment-page-1/#comment-25103 {giveaway} Baby Shower Event: Medela Freestyle Breastpump - babybix blog Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:24:09 +0000 http://www.babybix.com/blog/?p=122#comment-25103 [...] This breastpump, as well as many of the previous models of Medela’s pumps, uses a 2-phase expression, which means that there is a Stimulation phase, and an Expression phase.  The Stimulation Phase is a slower, longer sucking which emulates what your baby does to start your milk flowing.  This phase gets you ready for the next phase, Expression, which is a shorter, stronger suction that will really start to yield the most amount of milk.   It sounds complicated at first, but once you try it, you’ll get to know what works best for you, and you can use the LCD display on the unit to select your preferred strength and duration of Stimulation Phase.  If you’re having issues with low milk production, you might want to sit down and relax while you pump, or look at a picture of your baby – read my blog post on increasing milk production. [...] [...] This breastpump, as well as many of the previous models of Medela’s pumps, uses a 2-phase expression, which means that there is a Stimulation phase, and an Expression phase.  The Stimulation Phase is a slower, longer sucking which emulates what your baby does to start your milk flowing.  This phase gets you ready for the next phase, Expression, which is a shorter, stronger suction that will really start to yield the most amount of milk.   It sounds complicated at first, but once you try it, you’ll get to know what works best for you, and you can use the LCD display on the unit to select your preferred strength and duration of Stimulation Phase.  If you’re having issues with low milk production, you might want to sit down and relax while you pump, or look at a picture of your baby – read my blog post on increasing milk production. [...]

]]> By: Michelle http://www.babybix.com/blog/2009/03/07/how-to-increase-milk-production/comment-page-1/#comment-38 Michelle Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:24:37 +0000 http://www.babybix.com/blog/?p=122#comment-38 This is a good list. Cale was born a month early and my milk production wasn't even close to coming in. It took me 3 days just to produce a drop of colostrum! However after a lot of hard work I started to get more milk. I met with a lactation consultant 3xs for some tips. She mentioned many of the tips you suggested above. The squeezing technique is key! Here are a few more that worked for me: - Try and nurse your baby vs. pumping and then feeding your baby breastmilk out of the bottle. Your baby will get more out of you than the pump, which will stimulate more milk. - Make sure your baby is latching on correctly. Not to give too much info but make sure your baby is getting a large mouthful of your breast. - After your baby nurses pump. My lactation consultant also told me that when I was pumping to keep going for an extra 5 minutes after you are completely dry. Again the more you drain your milk the more your body will think you need to produce more. I know this is a lot of work and time consuming but it will pay off. - If you are supplementing until your milk comes in make sure you religiously pump or nurse your baby ever 2-3 hours. - My lactation consultant recommended that I take Fenugreek and Goats Rue to stimulate my milk supply. Believe it or not it actually helped! You can find these supplements at your local Vitamin Store. If the Fenugreek doesn't work you can also try Shatavari. This is a good list. Cale was born a month early and my milk production wasn’t even close to coming in. It took me 3 days just to produce a drop of colostrum! However after a lot of hard work I started to get more milk. I met with a lactation consultant 3xs for some tips. She mentioned many of the tips you suggested above. The squeezing technique is key! Here are a few more that worked for me:

- Try and nurse your baby vs. pumping and then feeding your baby breastmilk out of the bottle. Your baby will get more out of you than the pump, which will stimulate more milk.

- Make sure your baby is latching on correctly. Not to give too much info but make sure your baby is getting a large mouthful of your breast.

- After your baby nurses pump. My lactation consultant also told me that when I was pumping to keep going for an extra 5 minutes after you are completely dry. Again the more you drain your milk the more your body will think you need to produce more. I know this is a lot of work and time consuming but it will pay off.

- If you are supplementing until your milk comes in make sure you religiously pump or nurse your baby ever 2-3 hours.

- My lactation consultant recommended that I take Fenugreek and Goats Rue to stimulate my milk supply. Believe it or not it actually helped! You can find these supplements at your local Vitamin Store. If the Fenugreek doesn’t work you can also try Shatavari.

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