Boosting your milk supply

Here are some tips on how to boost your milk supply that generally help new mothers a great deal: 

An increase in the frequency of feeds (sometimes you may double or even triple the number). The more your baby feeds, the more milk your body will produce. 

Feed on demand without watching the clock, for several minutes for as long as your baby wishes.  

Compress your mammary gland whilst your baby is actively suckling. This helps to stimulate the breasts and boost milk transfer. 

Stimulate breast drainage by using a breast pump after feeds for a few minutes.

Encourage skin-to-skin contact. 

Consume galactagogue foods that support lactation.

Monitor your baby's weight gain and the number of wet nappies. This is a good indicator of whether your baby is getting enough feeds. For weight gain, seek advice from an IBCLC consultant. The weight curve of a breastfed baby differs from that of one who is not. 

No, they are not essential for breastfeeding. A mother's body is made to breastfeed — we are mammals, let's not forget that! These ingredients can be useful for giving mums a lactation boost, particularly in cases of fatigue or stress, but they are by no means a miracle remedy if all the right conditions for successful breastfeeding are not in place (frequent feeds, good latch, effective breast attachment and suckling, etc.). What's more, every mother is different: one may need them, another may not, and yet another may need a different dose altogether.

No, you do not need to take galactagogues straight after birth, particularly to avoid engorgement. Putting baby to the breast is the best way to encourage your milk to come in.

Several ingredients are well known for their potential to increase mothers' milk production. The benefits of moringa are widely recognised — it is the ingredient recommended by IBCLC professionals for its proven efficacy on mothers' milk production. It is found in Mama moonies snacks (formerly Milk moonies) and Moringa Mama capsules. 

Fennel is also worth mentioning — it should be avoided in food supplements and care should be taken not to consume too much of it. 

Fenugreek is a plant that has long been used to stimulate breast milk production and support recovery after birth.  

Ingredients such as oats, flaxseeds and brewer's yeast also have proven efficacy. They are included in our cookie mix to boost your milk supply in a truly indulgent way. 

Before consuming these galactagogue ingredients, check with a healthcare professional to ensure they will be relevant and useful in your case, and to establish the dose and duration that guarantee safe use.

We cannot say it enough: galactagogues are not essential for breastfeeding. Good support from a professional trained in breastfeeding is, however, essential.