Low milk supply: getting helpYour midwife, child and family health nurse or GP or the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) can support you with breastfeeding your baby. They can also help you find a lactation consultant if you need one. Show An ABA counsellor can also help. Phone the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 686 268 or use ABA LiveChat. This article covers how to increase milk supply. If you’re having other issues with breastfeeding, you could check out our articles on how to manage oversupply and engorgement, breastfeeding attachment techniques, sore nipples and nipple infections and mastitis and blocked ducts. About milk supply: how to tell whether babies are getting enough breastmilkMost mothers can breastfeed and produce enough milk for their babies if they have the right information, support and care. But many mothers still worry that they aren’t making enough breastmilk. The best way to know what’s happening with your milk supply and whether your baby is getting enough milk is to look at their nappies and growth. Signs that babies are getting enough milk
Signs that babies aren’t getting enough milk
You might worry that your milk supply is low if your baby cries after feeds. But babies cry for many reasons. When your baby cries, they could be saying, ‘I'm still hungry’. But your baby could just as easily be saying ‘I’m tired’ or ‘I’m not hungry now, but I’ve got a tummy ache’. Offer extra breastfeeds Here are ways to do extra breastfeeds:
Have plenty of skin-to-skin contact You can have skin-to-skin contact while breastfeeding by taking your top and bra off and just having your baby in a nappy on your chest. If it’s cold, wrap a blanket around yourselves to keep warm. Relax and make yourself comfortable
Rest and look after yourself
Massage and compress your breasts Talk with your GP about medicine If you’re concerned about your baby’s milk intake or you think that extra feeds aren’t helping to increase your supply, talk to your midwife, child and family health nurse or GP, or contact a lactation consultant or ABA counsellor. Can breast milk come back after drying up?It's called re-lactation. It's possible for the female body to come back from “drying up” and produce milk again. In fact, many mothers of adopted children are able to pump and use several methods in order to stimulate their bodies to produce milk, even if they haven't given birth!
How long does it take for milk supply to get back up?The fastest way to increase your milk supply is to ask your body to make more milk. Whether that means nursing more often with your baby or pumping – increased breast stimulation will let your body know you need it to start making more milk. It usually takes about 3-5 days before you see an increase in your supply.
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