Breastmilk peak production plan

Karen Clark

Breastfeeding Basics

Check that your baby is latching properly (checklist: nose and chin touching breast, baby lying tummy to tummy, listen for swallowing sounds, ear wiggle visible, initial twinge then becomes comfy, breasts feel softer after feed. baby satisfied after feed, wet and dirty nappies)

Drink loads of fluids- water and jungle juice.
Try a complete rest in case you have been overdoing it. Go to bed with your baby + a good book and eat, sleep and read for a day or two.

Eat well- you need 3 good meals a day + snacks. Your diet should be high in carbohydrates (rice potatoes etc.) and protein (meat, dairy, eggs, fish and legumes)

In the first few weeks encourage your baby to feed often. At this stage a feed may take 15 minutes for some babies but most will take approximately 45min –1 hour including winding and changing nappies. Babies vary, some feed 2 hourly others are happy with 4 hourly, the rule for the first month is to feed randomly and frequently.

Empty the one breast completely before offering the other breast. (this satisfies the baby more and encourages breasts to produce good volumes of milk)

Reduce intake of

• Tea, coffee, Coca-Cola these can reduce your milk supply and cause your baby to become over-stimulated and irritable

Foods to avoid

• Eat 3 good meals per day
• All food is good for breastfeeding
• Only need to avoid foods if there is an allergy (eg. milk products) in family

Jungle juice formula ( if overly sweet, can leave out rehydrate or add more water to dilute it)

60mls Schlehen Blackthorn Berry Elixir
1 sachet Blackcurrant Rehydrate
1L Apple Juice
2L Water
Add 10 drops rescue remedy per glass

Homeopathic remedies

• Lac Mur 30c 3 times/day
• Lac-d. 30c 3 times/day (for women who are chilly + exhausted from lack of sleep)
• Urtica Urens 6c 4 times/day for 5 days

Brewers Yeast - 6 tablets daily, stimulates milk production

Herbs

• Agnus Castus
• Fenugreek
• Alfalfa

Teas to ­ increase milk supply

• Fennel
• Dill
• Anise
• Nettle

Pleasant treats

• Ginger beer
• Guiness
• Alcohol free beer

Be patient, increasing your milk supply will take some time. For some women it takes a full 6 weeks to establish their milk supply. When you have a baby that is reasonably settled between feeds, has regular wet + dirty nappies and is gaining weight each week, you probably have an adequate milk supply. If you are struggling with feeding please go to your local clinic or contact a breast feeding support clinics (eg. La Leche)