As a postpartum doula, we are happy and honored to support your wishes for feeding your baby. Parents who are chest or breastfeeding often ask, “How can I build my milk supply?!” In this article, we will offer tips and ideas for supporting your milk supply along your bodyfeeding journey. 

Please note that IBCLC’s or International Board Certified Lactation Consultants have a wealth of knowledge, and we are happy to make referrals if or when you are having feeding challenges. 

6 Ways to Build and Maintain your Milk Supply while Breastfeeding

1. Nurse often. In the beginning, this means feeding every 2-3 hours or when the baby asks. Continue this timing 24 hrs a day until baby regains birth weight. Once baby is back to birth weight (often 5-15 days post birth), let them sleep as long as they will at night but feed at least every 4 hrs during the daytime, which might mean waking them for a feeding.
2. Use diapers as data. Take note of output (pee and poop) to help gauge input (milk consumption). Baby should have at least 1 wet diaper per day during their first week of life. After this, we like to see at least 6 wet diapers per day. We are also generally looking for at least one poop a day for at least the first month of life. There’s nuance to all of this of course, so please ask your pediatrician for additional guidance as needed. Some breastfed babies will skip a day here and there; in those cases, weight gain typically trumps output. After one month, it is considered safe for babies to go up to 5-7 days without poops as long as urine output is at least 6 and weight gain is steady.
3. Focus on the latch. If you feel pain or have blistering or “hot spots” while feeding, it’s time to see a lactation consultant to remedy latch issues. We recommended seeing a lactational professional sooner than later! Some key things to look for in latch include: baby’s chin touched breast first, baby’s lips are turned outward, baby’s tongue is extended, parent’s breast fills baby’s mouth (not just the nipple, the areola as well). 
4. Stay hydrated. Birth depletes your system, and you’; need lots of fluids and nourishment to recover and rebuild. Parenting and feeding a small human is a ton of work, so hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. You might like to add in electrolyte mixes or coconut water for variety and for additional support.
5. Eat well. Make sure that you have access to snacks that are easy to eat one handed. We suggest setting up a snack caddy in the place(s) you’ll be feeding often. Check out our article about staying nourished during the postpartum period here.
6. Continue pumping once bottles are introduced. This means pumping each time baby is bottle fed through the first few months of bottle feeding. This pacing helps your body maintain your milk supply.

Feeding Resources

1. ABG Breastfeeding Basics Class
2. Plan a prenatal (if possible) or postpartum visit with a lactation consultant. For locals, we love the folks at Breastfeeding Success Company and Milk Diva. (If you’re in Austin and need additional referrals, reach out!)
3. Find a support group in your local area. La Leche League can be a good place to start.
4. Books! Browse books and see which ones resonate with your needs. One we like is Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett and Nancy Mohrbacher

ABG is Here for You

Your feeding journey matters deeply to us at Austin Baby Guru. We are here to offer support, ideas, and referrals. We invite you to reach out if you need help navigating your bodyfeeding journey.