Hi mummies,
I am a new mummy to a 4 mth old boy but I got some of experience from my sis who has 6 kids all fully breastfeeding at least 2 years... So far my supply is great and can produce 240ml every 2 hrs if my junior is not around. He kinda feeds alot as well. No other food intake currently, only breast milk. The trick to increasing supply is by practicing all as follows:
1)Demand and supply. That is why ppl would recommend if they are at home to pump their milk for at least another 10 mins after latching although not much milk to simulate the demand. If you are working like me, it is encourage to pump abt 3/4hrs for abt 20 mins. Try pumping at least once at night and another time waking him at least once at night making it altogether twice milking.
2) Drink your liquids. To produce liquid you have to increase your intake of liquid. It can be in a lot of form such as soups, mum milk or even HL milk for fast form of drinking. It is encouragable for herbal teas or milk for additional nutrients for your junior.
3) Eat your veges and fruits. eg, drinking soups like fish, papayas or any fruits or veges as describe would add to taste and improve amount of milk tremendously if practice frequently. Watermelon is another another of fruit with lots of liquids and nutrients.
4) If you are willing to invest some supplements, you may take :
>jamu like "habis salin" (
www.damisari-herb.com), "Jamu susu - Nyonya Meneer or Borobudur"
>Herb known as Tien Men Dong or Shatavari or Asparagus racemosus. Can be found in capsule at pharmacy under Himalaya. Or you can go to a Chinese herb shop and ask for it, not many has it and taking it without capsule is bitter.
>Fenugeek, Highly reccommended by lots of mummies but I am not too sure where to get this from as I am doing fine with Shatavari.
4)Plenty or rest. Don't be afraid to ask for favours from your husband sometimes as its two way commitment. It takes two to have your junior isn't it?
5) Avoid stress. I know its hard to avoid that especially if u are a working mum in Singapore. But once a week, sit in your room for a couple of hours, listen to your soothing music, put on some aromatheraphy and just relax. You may sometimes massage your breast to loosen the muscles. If you are really too busy, try to discpline yourself once fortnightly.
6)Avoid pacifiers. If possible, try to avoid this. Too bad I can't due to my MIL.
These are some of them that I practice. There are others but they are just additionals, the above are the basics. Thank god so far I have no problem. Anyway breastfeeding really help, financially. You save a lot from buying formula milk and can invest on a-one-time better breastpump. It really is worth besides the apportunity to bond with your Junior.
Posted by Laila regarding her MIL, I am facing the same problem. My MIL would not even let my Junior go unless he is crying for milk (sometimes she gives him pacifier just to keep him quiet so I cannot take Junior away for feeding), even I do not have the apportunity to sleep him in the afternoons exceptional for night. Some MIL wants their grandchildren to be close to them instead of the mother. So I am very motivated not to stop breastfeeding so I can be close with my Junior. This makes me want to be more discipline to do the above.
Hope this can be a lot of help to all BF mothers...
