Increase milk supply after 3 months

Low Milk Supply | WIC Breastfeeding Support

Many moms worry about low milk supply, but most of the time your body makes exactly what your baby needs, even if you don't realize it. There are also ways to tell if your baby is getting enough milk. If you aren't making enough, there are ways you can build your supply. And your WIC breastfeeding staff is always there to help!

Am I Making Enough Milk?

First, look for these signs that your baby is getting enough milk. For example, pay attention to the number of wet and dirty diapers and your baby's weight gain.

Things you should NOT worry about:

How your breasts feel. Your breasts will feel softer and less full as your milk supply adjusts to your baby's needs. This does not mean you have low supply.
If your baby nurses for shorter periods of time, such as only 5 minutes on each breast.
If your baby's feeds are bunched together. This is called cluster feeding and happens when your baby starts nursing more often and for longer. This can happen in the evenings or because of growth spurts.
Not getting much milk when you express. Your baby is much more effective than a pump or hand expression at getting out milk. Find tips to help you pump.

If you are still concerned, talk to your baby's doctor about their growth.

Causes of Low Milk Supply

While most moms make plenty of milk, some do have low milk supply. This might happen if you:

Limit your baby's breastfeeding sessions. Remember, the more you feed on demand, the more milk you make.
Give your baby infant formula instead of breastfeeding.
Introduce solid foods before baby is 4-6 months old.
Take certain birth control pills or other medicine.
Don't get enough sleep.
Drink alcohol or smoke.
Have had breast surgery.

Talk to your doctor if you have hepatitis B or C, herpes, or diabetes. These conditions may also affect milk supply.

Increasing Your Milk Supply

Breastfeeding frequently—especially in the first hours, days, and weeks—is the main way to increase your milk supply. Your body will make milk to meet your baby's demand.

Try these tips to help you make more milk:

Breastfeed every time your baby is hungry. In the early weeks, your baby will eat 8-12 times every 24 hours. It's best not to put your baby on a strict feeding schedule. Follow your baby's cues, and let your baby tell you when it's time to eat.
Make sure your baby is latching well.
Offer both breasts at each feeding. Let your baby finish the first side, then offer the other side.
Empty your breasts at each feeding. Hand express or pump after a feeding to draw out all the milk and signal your body to make more.
Avoid bottles and pacifiers in the early weeks. Feed your baby from your breast whenever you can.
Get plenty of sleep, and eat a healthy diet.
Pump or express your milk. Pumping or expressing milk frequently between nursing sessions, and consistently when you're away from your baby, can help build your milk supply.
Relax and massage. Relax, hold your baby skin-to-skin, and massage your breasts before feeding to encourage your milk to let down.
Take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest, eat well, drink enough fluids, and let others help you.

Consider Charting Your Progress

Record how often your baby is breastfeeding, for how long, and on which sides. If you are supplementing with infant formula, record how much your baby is getting and decrease the infant formula as your milk supply increases. WIC breastfeeding staff can help you determine how much infant formula your baby needs.

Still Have Questions?

Contact your WIC breastfeeding expert. They can talk to you about supply concerns and give you tips to increase your supply to meet your baby's needs.

Why your milk supply changes at 3 months and what to do about it

Updated Oct 10, 2022

Many moms report that their breasts no longer feel full, stop leaking, and do not seem to produce as much milk by the end of the “4th trimester.” Some of these changes are normal and to be expected, but if milk supply has truly decreased there are a few reasons why and more importantly, ways to increase milk supply.

In the early days, many moms will notice that their breasts become full or engorged with milk between feedings or pumping sessions. As time goes on, you may no longer experience breast fullness thanks to supply regulation and our body’s ability to make milk “just in time. ” This does not necessarily mean that you have lost your supply or are experiencing a decrease in milk production. Similarly, as our bodies adapt to our usual feeding and pumping routine, leaking subsides.

These two naturally occurring changes are normal. A better indication of milk supply is how well your baby is gaining weight and how much milk you’re able to pump. Read on to learn more about influencers on milk supply and what you can do to increase supply while breastfeeding or pumping.

IN THIS ARTICLE

Why is my milk supply changing?
What to expect at 3 - 4 months
What to do when breastfeeding
What to do when pumping
How to start combo feeding
What to expect when weaning
FAQ about milk supply at 3 months

Why is my milk supply changing?

Immediately after birth, hormones play a huge role in how much milk we produce. During the newborn period, levels of the milk-producing hormone prolactin are usually quite high, helping to ensure a full milk supply. By 3 months postpartum hormone levels have leveled out making frequent breast stimulation and milk removal even more important.

It is also true that our bodies are more efficient at producing milk and no longer need to store large amounts of breast milk between feedings or pumping sessions. Instead, your body has learned your usual routine and will ramp up and slow down milk production as needed.

What to expect at 3 - 4 months

Aside from the normal regulation of milk supply due to hormones and our body’s ability to make milk “just in time,” there are often some changes to lifestyle that occur around 3 - 4 months postpartum.

Going back to work

12 weeks of maternity leave is quite common for many new mothers. As mothers return to work it can take some time for their milk supply to adjust to the new routine and schedule. When going back to work it is important to keep up with pumping to prevent a decrease in milk supply. As a general rule: moms should pump at least every 3 hours at work. Skipping pumping sessions or pumping for less than 15-20 minutes can result in a low milk supply.

Beginning birth control

To prevent unintended pregnancy mothers are encouraged to begin progesterone-only birth control 3 months postpartum. While progesterone-only birth control (the “mini-pill”) and intrauterine devices (IUDs) do not cause a decrease in milk supply for many mothers, some report a decrease in milk supply after beginning birth control.

Dropping feedings/pumping sessions

Another common reason milk supply changes at 3 months is a decrease in the number of feedings or pumping sessions. By 3 months babies who initially nursed 10-12 times per day (or more) may be feeding fewer than 8 times per day. Exclusively pumping moms may have also scaled back on the number of pumping sessions per day. If the decrease in feedings or pumping sessions results in long stretches without milk removal our bodies respond by slowing milk production. It is generally best to avoid stretches longer than 5-6 hours without breastfeeding or pumping for at least the first 4-6 months.

What to do when breastfeeding

If you are breastfeeding and are looking to increase milk production there are a few things you can do.

Breastfeed more frequently

Since milk supply is directly related to how frequently and fully the breasts are emptied, the first step to increasing milk supply is to feed more often. Bringing your baby to the breast frequently (even if just for a few minutes) signals your body to produce more milk. If your baby is sleeping long stretches overnight, cluster feeding before bed, adding in a dream feeding just before you go to bed, or waking up overnight to nurse or pump can help.

Use breast compressions

While nursing you can help your baby take in more milk by massaging and compressing your breasts. Breast compressions are performed by positioning your hand in a “C shape” towards the back of your breasts and gently squeezing the breast tissue down towards the nipple. By draining the breasts more fully your body will begin to replenish milk more quickly, resulting in increased milk production.

Increase water intake

Whether you are back at work or doing your best to keep up with an increasingly busy baby, it can be easy to forget to drink enough water. Since breast milk is made up of about 90% water it goes without saying that a scarcity of water decreases milk production. To ensure proper hydration, aim to drink at least 100oz of water each day.

What to do when pumping

If you’re no longer pumping as much milk as you used to there are a few ways to increase milk supply.

Power pump

One of the most effective ways to increase milk supply is by adding a power pumping session to your regular pumping routine. Power pumping is when you pump in intervals -- simulating what it’s like when your baby is going through a growth spurt and cluster feeding. To begin, pump for 20 minutes (both breasts simultaneously). Then, take a 10 minute break. After the break, pump again for 10 minutes. Turn off the pump and wait 10 minutes. To finish out the power pumping session, pump again for 10 minutes. Do your best to power pump once per day, around the same time every day, for 5-7 days in a row. You should begin to see an increase in milk supply after 3 days.

Pump maintenance

If you have been pumping several times per day for months, now is a good time to replace the membranes or duckbill valves your pump uses to create suction. Membranes and duckbill valves should be replaced every 3 months.

Hands-on pumping

When pumping it is very helpful to use your hands to massage your breasts and move milk towards the nipple. While wearing a hands-free pumping bra, position one hand between your breasts and one hand on the outside of the breast you will be massaging. Gently “roll” and compress the breast between your hands. This technique helps ensure you thoroughly drain the breast and can increase milk output by 25% or more.

How to start combo feeding

If you have been exclusively breastfeeding or pumping and are considering introducing formula you may have questions about what to expect and how to ease into combo feeding.

Discuss with your pediatrician

Before introducing infant formula it is important to talk to your baby’s pediatrician. Your pediatrician can help you determine which formula is best for your baby and let you know how much your baby needs.

Start slowly

When possible, it is best to introduce formula slowly to give your baby’s digestive system time to adapt. Rather than mixing breast milk with formula, consider keeping the two separate and alternating formula feedings with breast milk feedings. This gives your baby’s tummy more time to process any formula and can limit issues with gas and constipation.

What to expect when weaning

If you’re planning to wean from breastfeeding or pumping, be sure to give your body time to adjust.

Listen to your body

When weaning from breastfeeding or pumping it is important to keep an eye out for clogged ducts. If your body is used to nursing or pumping frequently, a sudden change to your usual routine could lead to painful clogged ducts or mastitis. To reduce your risks for developing clogged ducts, gradually increase the length between feedings/pumping sessions.

Set realistic expectations

It can take several weeks for milk supply to completely cease after beginning the weaning process. To speed up the process it can be helpful to apply cold cabbage leaves and peppermint essential oil to the breasts.

FAQ about milk supply at 3 months

Q: Do certain types of birth control have a greater impact on milk supply?

Combination birth control pills containing both estrogen and progesterone decrease milk production and should be avoided while breastfeeding.

Q: Do lactation supplements really increase milk supply?

Herbs and supplements claiming to increase milk production can be helpful when combined with increased breast stimulation and milk removal. Simply consuming lactation supplements [without changing your nursing or pumping routine] will not make a significant impact on milk supply. Milk supply is primarily driven by “demand” or milk removal.

Q: If I skip a pumping session at work, will it hurt my milk supply?

When nursing or pumping sessions are missed our bodies send signals to our brain to decrease milk production. While occasionally skipping a pumping session may not do too much harm, frequently neglecting to pump at work will result in decreased milk production. It is best to pump at least every 3 hours at work.

Q: How will pumping sessions impact my milk supply if I breastfeed?

To protect milk supply it is recommended that moms pump anytime their baby receives a bottle. Pumping in place of missed breastfeeding sessions helps to maintain milk production. Pumping even when breastfeeding sessions are not missed will result in an increase in milk production.

How to increase the amount of milk for a nursing mother? - an article in the blog of the medical center Health for Children in Moscow

Breastfeeding is the key to good health and mental peace of the child for years to come. But besides this, breastfeeding solves most of the mother's issues: from financial issues to the convenience of building your day and bonding with your child. Galina Vladimirovna Loseva, our most sought-after pediatrician with more than 20 years of experience, tells how to increase the amount of milk for good nutrition of a child

The problem of lack of milk can occur both in the early neonatal period, when lactation is becoming established, and later, for example, during lactation crises, which can occur at certain periods of time (3-6 weeks, 3-4 months, 6 months), as well as after temporary weaning during the mother’s illness or the need to take certain medications that are incompatible with breastfeeding.

Ways to increase lactation:

Feeding on demand , especially during early lactation. Frequent feedings in the first weeks of life are essential for maximizing the number of prolactin receptors to ensure sufficient milk production in the long term. Without these receptors, lactation will be at risk by 2-3 months of age. It is advisable to attach the baby to the breast as soon as possible after childbirth. If possible, do not use bottle supplements without a good reason. Night feedings are obligatory, the need for them usually lasts up to about 6 months.
Proper breastfeeding. The baby must include both the nipple and areola. His mouth should be wide open with his lower lip turned outward
You can use post-feeding pumping to increase milk production. And at the same time, freeze milk to create a reserve in case the mother leaves or a case of illness in which it is necessary to interrupt breastfeeding.
Rational nutrition for breastfeeding women. The menu should contain cereals, vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, fruits, dairy products are better than sour-milk, a small amount of nuts is acceptable. The use of strict hypoallergenic diets in a woman without an allergic history is unacceptable. Spicy dishes, spices, fried foods are excluded, this can affect the taste and smell of milk.
Drinking enough liquid - water, green tea, compotes, fruit drinks. Drinks should preferably be warm or hot. It is recommended to take liquid 20-40 minutes before feeding.
Eliminate alcohol, nicotine, including passive smoking.
Compliance with the rest regimen , psycho-emotional peace, positive attitude. This is largely determined by the attitude of close people who can help a nursing mother in household chores, caring for other children, etc.
Warm shower, light breast massage just before feeding.
If you still need supplementary feeding, then it is better to give it with a pipette, spoon, syringe without a needle.
Pharmacy products: Laktogon, Femilak. From herbs, galega, cumin, anise are considered safe. However, relying only on these funds is not worth it if the above points are not observed. They can be used as ancillary, as an addition to the diet of a nursing mother, which may be insufficient for certain reasons.

The material was provided by a pediatrician with more than 20 years of experience Galina Vladimirovna Loseva.

All recommendations should be applied after full-time consultation with a specialist doctor.

obstetrician-gynecologist Starostina Antonina Viktorovna.

For the normal development of lactation, first of all, it is necessary to organize the feeding of the child (feeding on demand, without a night break, the absence of nipples and pacifiers that suppress the suckling reflex of the baby), properly care for the breast, use a breast pump to stimulate and increase lactation, use according to indications other accessories for breastfeeding.

Sleep should be at least 10 hours a day - night and day. Outdoor walks for at least 2 hours. Frequent breastfeeding from birth (at least 10 times a day) with obligatory night feedings. Good nutrition and an increase in the amount of fluid consumed up to 1.5 - 2 liters per day (this is tea, soups, decoctions, milk, dairy products). Shower-massage: after feeding the baby and expressing milk, pour hot water (45 degrees) from the shower over the mammary gland that was fed, while massaging in circular motions from the nipple to the periphery and from top to bottom, while expressing milk. Duration 5-10 minutes.

Perform the procedure 2 times for the left and 2 times for the right breast during the day. Drink hot tea with milk 30 minutes before feeding.

Drink in small sips throughout the day.

Steep 3 teaspoons of dry nettle with 2 cups of boiling water and infuse for 10-15 minutes (we only infuse fresh herb for 2 minutes). The resulting drink should be used during the day.
A very effective remedy that stimulates the flow of milk and helps to increase lactation is an infusion of walnuts, which is prepared as follows: brew 0.5 cups of peeled walnuts with 0.5 liters of boiling milk in a thermos and infuse for 3-4 hours. Infusion take 1/3 cup 20 minutes before each feeding, but not daily, but every other day.
A mixture that promotes lactation is very good: 100 g dried apricots, 100 g raisins, 100 g figs, 1 glass of walnuts. Grind everything and mix with 100 g of honey and 100 g of butter. Use 1 tbsp. spoon 15-20 minutes before feeding. Watch your child's reaction! Allergy is possible.
Useful green tea with dill seeds, raspberry leaves, linden, oregano, lemon balm.

Be sure to use special multivitamin complexes for pregnant and lactating women, which also help improve lactation. They will improve the quality of milk and increase its quantity: