how to successfully up your milk supply {#littlevictories}

Breast feeding. For some it comes so naturally. It’s so natural for some that it makes those of us sick who have had challenges. I wish I was one of the gals who could just have my baby and never have an issue nursing until the day I choose to quit. That hasn’t been the case for any of my girls, present nursing one included! However, there is a silver lining at the end of all of this. I have figured out a sure fire way to make sure my milk stays up. And that’s what I wanted to share with you today!

In the down milk times, I have figured out how to increase my milk, and have it stay at a rate that feeds my child. I wanted to share these tactics with you all in case it can help you too! The following 5 things are what I have done two times now for two different children…one still nursing.

1. water, water and more water. pump, pump and more pump! one trick i learned was to drink 16 oz. of water 5-10 minutes prior. it put me in a relaxed frame of mind as well as a frame of mind to make milk. maybe all mental, but hey! whatever works 😉 pump more often as well. after a nursing session is complete and your child is happy, get the pump attached and do a little more. trick your body in to thinking your baby isn’t done so that your body keeps producing. probably the biggest tip right here 😉
2. relax. make sure your neck is not tight. do some stretching and make sure you shoulders are relaxed and not raised up. deep breathes and relax. give yourself time and if you don’t want to give up, DON’T! 🙂 release the pressure you are giving yourself though for sure. find a good formula and have that on your back burner to take some pressure off.  i know this may not be a good recommendation from all nursing mom’s, but for me, it too major pressure off knowing that i could, if needed, STILL FEED my baby if i couldn’t produce the needed milk 🙂
3. get the perfect nursing bra. you can’t have a bra that’s too tight or too loose. if the fit is wrong, it will affect your milk…as weird as that is.  take the time and invest the money in some great nursing bras. i have found two that i absolutely love from bravado.  the essential embrace nursing bra is great for daily use. it’s simple yet still pretty. the sublime nursing bra is very nice if you are going out and want to “up” your look a little. I love the lace accents. you can totally wear this daily too! they are both pretty phenomenal to be honest. i have worn both day in and day out! i have had bravado nursing bras for all my children, and i can’t say enough good things about them! their sizing and comfort level and wear-ability can’t be compromised.
4. have a beer. there are a ton of articles on beer and the ingredients in it helping with production. i’m not going to get in to that. you can research that on your own because i don’t want to misinterpret what is actually happening. so…drink a beer a day. 🙂
5. fenugreek. a weird names little herb you can get at your local health store. this has worked for all of my children when i was nursing when i ran in to challenges. some have said it gives them/their baby gas…but it never did that for me. it has worked like a champ!!
6. food. i know i said 5 things you can do, but i completely forgot one of the MOST important! eat good food, food with good calories..you know, versus a peanut butter cup. make sure you are taking in good and enough calories because it’s going to take a whole lot to make the milk for your sweet babe! now definitely isn’t the time to try and cut your weight by watching your calories. deal with that after you are done breast feeding!! 🙂

Since we are talking breast feeding and nursing, I wanted to share a fun Little Victories giveaway with Bravado.  Pop on over and check this out to see what you can win!

Talk to me! What have you done when in this same predicament? What has worked for you to increase your milk supply?