How to Increase Your Milk Supply: The Basics
- Chelsea Lactation & Postpartum Care
- Mar 26, 2025
- 4 min read
How to Increase Your Milk Supply: The Basics
Most of the time, milk production works on a simple principle: supply and demand. The more milk that is removed from your breasts, the more milk your body is signaled to make.
If you're concerned about your milk supply, book a consult with me today, or start with these evidence-based strategies.
Remove Milk Frequently
Milk production depends on frequent and effective milk removal.
Aim for at least 8-12 milk removals per 24 hours. This can include breastfeeding, pumping, hand expression, or a combination of all three.
If your baby is not removing milk effectively at the breast, pumping or hand expressing after feeds can help provide the stimulation your body needs to increase milk production.
No amount of supplements, cookies, superfoods, or power-pumping sessions can compensate for infrequent or ineffective milk removal.
Master a Good Latch
A deep, comfortable latch helps your baby remove milk well. Effective milk transfer not only helps your baby get enough milk, but also sends your body the signal to keep making more milk.
If latching is painful or your baby is struggling to remove milk, a lactation consultant (like me!) can help identify the cause and suggest adjustments. Sometimes very small changes in positioning can make a huge difference!
Offer Both Breasts at Each Feed
Offer the second breast at each feeding and let your baby decide whether they would like it.
Offering both sides helps ensure each breast receives regular milk removal, which supports ongoing milk production.
If your baby consistently prefers one breast, struggles to latch on one side, or seems less comfortable feeding in one direction, body tension may be contributing. Some families find gentle bodywork, such as infant massage, chiropractic care, osteopathy, or physiotherapy helpful in these situations.
If body tension is suspected during an in-home consultation, I can help assess your baby's feeding patterns and provide referrals to trusted bodyworkers in the Ottawa and Outaouais region.
Use Breast Compression & Massage
Gently massaging and compressing the breast during feeding or pumping can help empty the breast more effectively,
More effective milk removal means more milk for your baby and more signals for your body to continue making milk.
Enjoy Lots of Skin-to-Skin Contact
Holding your baby skin-to-skin helps regulate their temperature, breathing, and heart rate. It also encourages feeding cues and stimulates your hormones that support milk production.
Skin-to-skin time isn't just for newborns. It can be beneficial throughout your breastfeeding journey.
Minimize Supply-Lowering Factors
Using soothers, swaddling, or strict feeding schedules can make it easier to miss early feeding cues. If your baby seems unsettled, start by offering the boob first!
More feeding and more stimulation - even brief nursing sessions - can help increase milk production over time.
Some medications can also affect milk supply, including hormonal birth control containing estrogen and medications containing pseudoephedrine.
Large amounts of parsley and mint may also reduce milk production.
Don't Stress About Special Foods
Many parents worry that they aren't drinking enough water or eating the right foods.
While staying nourished and hydrated is important for your overall health, milk supply concerns are rarely caused by poor hydration or diet.
Enjoy your favorite foods and treat yourself to something delicious. Caring for yourself matters, too. Feeling relaxed, comfortable, and supported encourages the release of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for milk let-down.
Many herbal supplements and foods are marketed to increase milk supply. While some families find them helpful, they work best when combined with frequent and effective milk removal. Supplements alone rarely solve a supply problem.
Consider Power Pumping
Power pumping mimics the cluster feeding behaviour of a baby and can provide an extra boost of stimulation to encourage milk production.
Try pumping in short bursts - for example, 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off - for about an hour once per day.
I often recommend using power pumping as "me time." Plan your session for a time when you have a family member, friend, or other helper around to look after your baby. Set yourself up somewhere comfortable with snacks, a giant water bottle, and your favourite show.
For many touched-out parents, this can become a surprisingly enjoyable break and something to look forward to during the day.
Still Struggling? Get Support
If you've been trying these strategies and your milk supply still isn't improving, please know that this is not your fault.
Low milk supply can be complicated, and often has several causes. These can include factors from your birth story, feeding challenges, pumping issues, hormonal factors, or underling medical concerns.
As an IBCLC, I can help identify what's affecting your milk production, create a personalized plan, and connect you with additional support when needed.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
Need support with milk supply? I’m here to help!
Whether you're exclusively breastfeeding, pumping, combination feeding, or trying to increase your milk production, I'm here to help.
As an IBCLC, I provide personalized evidence-based support to help families reach their feeding goals.
Contact me today to schedule a consultation or ask any questions.
