How to increase breast milk supply

5 min. read

Breastfeeding is filled with precious moments, but, like all good things, it’s not without its challenges. One common concern that breastfeeding mothers can experience is low breast milk supply. Your body is designed to give your baby all the nutrients he or she needs, but sometimes mothers can worry that they’re not producing enough milk. Understandably, this leaves mums wondering how they can boost their milk supply.

It can be possible to help increase milk supply using a few tips and tricks, but first, it’s important to know the difference between real and perceived low breast milk supply. If your baby is gaining weight well, you probably have nothing to worry about – but more on that later!

Read on for our answers to all your most frequently asked questions about how to increase breastmilk supply.

Tip: Bear in mind that our articles aren’t a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. If you have any medical concerns, speak to your doctor for advice.

Signs that you don’t need to boost your milk supply

It’s natural for mums to worry that they’re not producing enough milk, especially as it can be difficult to measure exactly how much you are producing. This leads to mums assuming they need to increase their milk supply. But don’t panic; if your baby is showing the following signs, they are likely to be getting plenty of milk.¹

Your baby appears happy. Your newborn looks happy and content after feeding and releases on their own.
Your baby is gaining weight. Signs your milk supply is decreasing can include a failure to gain weight. If your newborn is gaining their expected weight, which is about 5.5 to 8.5 ounces per week until four months of age, they’re probably getting enough food.
Your baby is swallowing. Your baby goes through periods of obvious swallowing or gulping during feeds when you have a let-down. When this happens, your baby’s sucking will slow down and their mouth fills with larger volumes of milk.
Your baby is alert. Your newborn is alert and active while he or she is awake and is meeting overall developmental milestones.

If you recognise these signs, your baby is most likely getting enough milk. But if you think that you are not producing enough milk, don’t panic. There are plenty of ways that you can help to boost your milk supply.

Boost milk supply with these tips

If you are struggling with milk production, never hesitate to consult with your doctor to determine the best course of action.

We recommend these tips to help boost your milk supply:

1. Nurse your baby regularly

Feeding your baby encourages your body to produce more milk. If you’re worried that you’re not producing enough milk, you’re likely to be feeding your baby more often, so your concerns may naturally resolve themselves as your regular nursing helps to boost your milk supply.

The NHS recommends feeding a newborn at least 8 to 12 times every 24 hours, but it’s fine to feed them more often.² You should feed your baby whenever they want a meal, both in the day and at night, and let them feed for as long as they want. Offer your baby both breasts when they’re feeding and alternate the breast you start with between feeds.

2. Hold your baby close

Cuddling your child is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to increase your milk supply. Find the time to hold your baby close; it can boost your milk production and be a great opportunity to bond. Skin-to-skin contact is especially helpful.³

3. How to increase milk supply by expressing more often

Milk production works in a straightforward way. The more milk you remove from your breasts, the more milk you will produce. You can do this through feeding, but there’s also the alternative of expressing milk when your baby isn’t hungry.

To stimulate your milk supply, try expressing at the end of a regular feed so that you can drain any milk your baby hasn’t taken.

If you’re expressing milk, you’ll want to store it for later feeds. Take a look at our advice on how to store breast milk.

If you’re looking for the right baby bottle, the Philips Avent Natural Response baby bottle is designed specifically for combination breast and bottle feeding. The soft bottle nipple and tip recreate your baby’s natural feeding rhythm because it requires tongue compression to release the milk, just like the breast. Milk is released only when your baby is actively drinking to trigger the bottle’s nipple opening. During pauses, your little one can take a moment to swallow and breathe without drips, providing a sense of comfort and familiarity.

What you need

Natural Response Baby bottles with Flow 4 teats

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Electric breast pump with nipple stimulation

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Single

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4. Learn how to increase breast milk supply by pumping

Using a breast pump is a great option for mothers who are unable to be with their baby during feedings, and it’s also a wonderful way to help sustain or increase milk supply. Try adding a few pumping sessions between feedings to help stimulate milk production. Draining your milk between feeding sessions can boost your milk supply by telling your body to produce more milk. Discover how to increase milk supply when pumping with this guide!

If you don’t yet have a breast pump, consider this electric breastfeeding pump that allows you to express your breast milk easily. The Philips Avent allows for a comfortable and relaxed seating position when expressing, without any need to lean forward.

Once you’ve finished pumping, discover how to store your breast milk here!

5. Look after yourself

Taking good care of yourself is key to maintaining a good milk supply. Make sure you eat well, rest when you can and take a little time for yourself. Drink plenty of water so that you don’t get dehydrated, as that could make it difficult for your body to produce enough milk.

You don’t have to eat special foods to increase milk supply, but eating a balanced, healthy diet will help.⁴
Don’t be afraid to contact a lactation consultant if you have specific questions or concerns relating to breastfeeding.

Learning how to increase breast milk supply in your own time

So, how long does it take to increase milk supply? The beautiful thing about motherhood is that every woman is different. You may notice a difference in milk supply within a few days, or you may notice a difference in a few weeks.

Regardless of how long it may take, try to remain relaxed and try not to get frustrated. This is all part of learning how to breastfeed and discovering what works best for you and your baby!

If you have any questions or if you feel your baby is not getting enough milk, never hesitate to contact your doctor for help.