When the Milk Runs Dry: Four Simple Things You can do to Increase your Milk Supply

     I was one of those lucky women whose milk supply came in early and abundantly.  I even had to pump for the first few weeks just to get my breasts to the point that D could latch on.  (My boobs were hard and round like bowling balls...well that's not true...baseballs maybe.) However, D is now 10 weeks old, which thankfully means he's sleeping longer.  However, that also means that my body is not getting the signals it needs from him to make more milk.  (Breastfeeding is supposed to be supply and demand.)  Another issue we have with supply and demand is that baby D has a little temper.  Not in a "oh he's frustrated...that's so cute" sort of way.  It's more like "I'm gonna ripped off your nipple as I yank my mouth off, head butt you as hard as I can, and use my talons to scratch your skin and mine or just yank out as much of your hair as I can reach" sort of way.  (Isn't parenting is such a joy?!?)  So, I started asking every mom, doctor, and lactation specialist I could find what to do. Here's the compilation of their collective wisdom.

1: Drink a Beer
     (What seriously?  After nine months of denying myself any alcohol and so many other things, now I have permission to drink?) Yes, drinking a beer can actually help increase your milk supply.  I am no scientist, and I haven't really researched how this works, but I can tell you from experience that having a nightly beer has really helped fill up the boobs.  I hear the wheatier the better, but light beer (@MichelobULTRA) has been working just fine for me.  Cheers!

2: Fenugreek

Fenugreek Seed Supplement, a Great way to Increase Breastmilk Supply

    No, I did not just invent a new explicative.  Fenugreek (seed) is a supplement you can find at your local health food store or pharmacy.  I take 2 capsules a day, but my ARNP said I can take up to 4 doses of 2 capsules daily (I am hoping that I won't need to increase to that much, but saving the extra daily doses as my last resort if my supply decreases again.)  A word of warning...you and your milk will reek like maple syrup, but it's totally worth it to feed your little one and to save yourself from the temper tantrum if your little one is like mine.

3: Baby Wearing
    So, baby wearing is a trendy thing in mommyhood these days.  There are so many benefits to carrying your little one around so close to you.  D loves the Moby and the Baby Bjorn.  I love having him right with me but also being able to use my arms.  The icing on the cake with baby wearing is the way your body will respond (with more of the white stuff) when your little one is so close to you.

4: The Pump
     If all else fails, my ARNP said to pump after each feeding.  This will signal more demand to your body and hopefully increase the supply.  I have yet to try this one as 1-3 are working just great, but if all else fails, break out the breast pump, ladies!