Breastmilk Supply – A Mother’s Question
Like most things when it comes to parenting, breastfeeding can be a learning curve and although it is the most natural way to feed your baby, it is not always easy. Our Lactation Consultant, Sioned Hilton, is always on hand on our Facebook page to answer any questions, queries or worries about breastfeeding, expressing or a combination of both.
Today we would like to share some expert advice on breastmilk supply while exclusively expressing – a question asked by one of our mums in a recent drop-in-clinic.
“I am exclusively expressing and want to find out more about milk supply, when will this be established and what’s the best way to maintain it?”
Your milk supply is establishing in the first 2 weeks post delivery and it may take a couple more weeks to achieve maintenance. By 4-6 weeks after birth you should be at full capacity with supporting milk production by expressing 6-8 times in 24 hours or 8-12 feeds per day. Your breast cells are given the blueprint for making milk in the first 14 days for maximum breast storage capacity. To increase your supply if you feel that it could be better, try some of the tips below:
- Check that you are expressing regularly
- Check your vacuum setting and shield size too
- Introduce a couple of sessions at night and ensure you have no longer between night sessions of 4-5 hours.
- The more you pump and empty the breast the more milk you make over 24 hours.
- If you want to look at taking fenugreek or domperidone go to The Breastfeeding Network website and you will find they have a great fact sheet looking at the doses and contraindications to help make a decision with your health professional.
To find more information on Milk Supply please visit the Medela website by clicking the link before or pop over to our Facebook page and send Sioned a direct message.