Many moms worry about having an adequate milk supply for their baby, especially moms who are pumping full time and not getting the stimulus that consistent breastfeeding provides. There are a number of methods for increasing milk supply. Whether you are a working mom and using a pump for most of your daily feedings or you are with your baby most of the time, here are some helpful hints for you:  

General thoughts:

• Keep up your liquid and food intake. Drink tons of water and eat lots of healthy snacks like fruit, yogurt, cheese, and nuts.
• Find some quiet time each day for relaxation. Make sure that while nursing or pumping you are comfortable. Read through my tip sheet "Staying Comfortable While Pumping." A friend told me that she figured out if she leans over when pumping that gravity helps her milk flow down!
• Nurse, nurse nurse! Make sure your baby is well positioned and well latched. For years, La Leche League has recommended that you spend a whole day in bed with the baby, providing skin-to-skin contact and feeding on demand all day. This will promote a lot of milk making hormones, (prolactin) which will help to increase milk supply. Really a great and often perfect solution, especially fun in the winter!
•  If you are on birth control pills it is possible that they can have a negative impact on your milk supply.

INFO TIP: Ever notice how you have so much milk in the middle of the night? Prolactin, the hormone that makes the milk, actually surges between 1 and 5 A.M.  Even though you are bleary eyed, these are prime feeding hours! So if your baby is already sleeping through the night, set an alarm for 3 A.M. , wake up, and pump for 10-15 minutes.

If you are pumping:

• Make sure that you are using a pump that is high enough quality to meet your needs. You will ideally want a pump from the Hospital Grade or Daily Use category. The newer pumps that have a "Let Down" mode mimic a baby's suck better than any others and are an awesome choice for working moms.
• Pump as frequently as you can during the day. See if you can add an extra pumping session by getting to work 10 or 15 minutes early. If you pump for 10-15 minutes 4 times a day instead of 10-15 minutes 3 times a day, this can make a big difference. 
• You can also try pumping after you nurse to increase milk supply.
• To make sure that all ducts are being well emptied, pump only one breast at a time for several days, using your free hand to gently massage the breast that is being pumped. Angle the bottle to the side, rather than the center of your breast and reposition yourself several times while pumping. It will take longer to pump using this approach, but in the long run may help a lot.  

Recommended by Lactation Consultants:

• Sometimes Brewers Yeast helps increase milk supply.
• Some moms swear by Mothers Milk Tea made by Traditional Medicinals.
• Try fenugreek seed capsules, which can be found at a health food store- Nature's Way is highly recommended. Recommended dose is 2 capsules, 4 times per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime) totaling 8 capsules in 24 hours. You should notice an increase in milk supply in about 72 hours. LC'S tell me you can take it for a short period to boost low milk supply or use it for weeks or months without any problems. If you do use it long term you may need to decrease the dosage.

INFO TIP: The breast needs to be completely drained at least 7 times in 24 hours for Fenugreek to be most effective.

HEALTH ALERT: As with any product you take while breastfeeding, check with your provider or lactation consultant to make sure doses are right for you. I've heard that occasionally women get diarrhea from using this product. If your milk supply seems low or you are concerned your baby isn't getting enough milk, be alert for signs of dehydration. If your baby is showing any signs of dehydration you must seek medical attention immediately. Signs of dehydration are: Lethargy Dry mouth Sleeping more than a new baby should Decreased urination Lack of tears Sunken eyes