There are several free methods that a mother can use, as well as products she can buy which are said to increase milk supply. A nursing mother should always check with her doctor or her baby’s pediatrician before starting any new regimen to increase her milk. She can also call her local chapter of the La Leche League for help and advice.

Make sure your baby is latched on correctly to begin with. Many times, if the baby is not latched on right, it will be hard for them to get the milk, making them not want to try. The more you nurse successfully, the better supply you will have. When nursing, especially early on try not to go more than 2 or 3 hours without feeding your baby. If for some reason this is not possible or you are away from your baby, have a breast pump handy and pump milk, keeping your breasts stimulated and your milk glands producing milk. Try to get your baby to nurse for at least 15 minutes on each breast, during each feeding. If your baby is full and doesn’t want to nurse anymore, end the feedings by pumping the rest of your milk. Your breasts don’t know if it is a baby or a pump, they just know that the milk is needed.

It is also important to keep up your food and calorie intake while nursing, including your milk consumption. You need extra calories when nursing your baby to produce the milk and assure that your body is getting the nutrients it needs. Your body will take what it needs first, so if you attempt to cut back or diet during this time, it is likely that your body will not have enough resources to make a sufficient amount of milk and your mlk supply will be effective.

There are a few products on the market that you can buy online or at specialty stores that are supposed to help increase your milk supply. They work for some women, for others they might not. One is Mother’s Milk, also known as Mother’s Milk Tea. It is a drink for nursing mother’s that has been used for centuries by European women, made up of herbs and is traditionally used just to increase the milk supply.

Another popular herbal supplement a nursing mother often takes is called Fenugreek. It is supposed to increase milk supply in less than 72 hours and has no side effects for the baby. Again, talk to your doctor or your babies pediatrician, as well as a lactation consultant before trying either of these methods for increasing your milk supply.

After exclusively breastfeeding your baby for months, becoming a pumping mom can be a challenging transition. Not only do you have to adjust to using the pump and fitting it into your daily schedule but you also have a whole list of decisions to make like what pump to use and how you’ll store the milk.

When it comes to using a pump for the first time, it can be a bit intimidating. However, if you take the time to plan and prepare you’ll be a pumping pro in no time.

There are two basic types of breast pumps available. Manual pumps that you control yourself and electric pumps that are run by small motors. If you’re apprehensive about using a pump, I suggest that you start with a small step and try a manual pump. Once you adjust to the pump and the idea of pumping it might be easier for you to begin using a professional grade electric pump.

The key to a successful transition from baby to pump is to give yourself time. Regardless of which type of pump you choose to use, your body will need time to adjust because it will not feel the same as your baby. Don’t be alarmed if you are only able to pump a small amount at first. Eventually, you will learn how to pump more effectively and will be able to express more during each session. By starting to use your pump early, you will also have the chance to build a backup supply of milk to store in your freezer.

When you’re adjusting to your pump, it can be helpful to pump on one side while nursing on the other. This will allow you to adjust the pump’s speed and suction close to your baby’s nursing pattern and it can help you develop a mental association between nursing and pumping.

Once you begin pumping, set a schedule and stick to it to ensure that you are able to keep your supply up and collect enough milk for all your baby’s feedings. When setting a schedule remember that it is better to pump more often than to pump for longer periods. Some moms pump every 3 hours while others prefer to pump according to their baby’s regular feeding schedule.

The goal of pumping is to recreate the experience of nursing your baby, so try to make each pumping session as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. Don’t feel that you have to multi-task while pumping. Take this time in your day to relax, think about your baby and enjoy a healthy snack. Remember that pumping is not simply a task that you must complete; it is an act of love that will give your child nutrition for the best start in life.

About the Author:
Elizabeth Catalanotto, a pumping/nursing mom to her 1-year-old daughter, promotes the benefits of breastfeeding and pumping at Breast Pumps Direct, an online store that offers quality breast pumps and accessories at discounted prices.

Nope, it wasn’t easy leaving my breastfed baby and returning to work. I was confused and upset that I would no longer be able to breastfeed, however I knew that somehow I would find a balance between my baby and my work. Here are some tips I picked up to make returning to work with a breastfed baby easier:

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