You are absolutely not alone in thinking that you are not supplying enough breast milk for your little one. This is a super common thought for many Mothers!

While this is a common thought, it’s also important to distinguish whether or not little one is or is not getting enough breast milk, especially in the first few months of life when milk is essential for healthy growth and development.

When it comes to feeding, many lovely Mamas are full of emotions such as self-dought, apprehension and uncertainty. Dealing with two new bodies at the start can be very overwhelming. It all takes a little time to establish your new normal so please remember to be kind to yourself and take time for your mental health.

So to figure all this madness out we can check whether little one is getting enough breastmilk from you!

Is your baby getting enough breastmilk?

If your baby is getting enough breastmilk during feeds, they will most likely:

Have moist mouths after feeds.
Show a healthy weight gain.
You can hear your baby swallow.
They will come off the breast on their own after feeds.
Your baby seems relaxed during feeds and not fussy.
Your nipple will look the same before and after feeding. Not pinched and white.
You might feel sleepy or relaxed after feeds and your baby will also feel the same. Contended feelings all round!

Signs your baby isn’t getting enough breastmilk

Your baby starts losing weight. If the little one is still losing weight after 4/5 days it’s time to see the doctor.
Your baby’s urine is very dark. If it looks more concentrated then that is a sign that he isn’t getting enough fluid.
He is wetting fewer than 6 diapers in a 24 hour period 5 days after birth.
Baby doesn’t seem satisfied. Even if you have been feeding for an hour.

Always trust your gut too. If you feel like your milk supply is not enough for your little human then absolutely have faith in this feeling and lead on from here!

How can I naturally boost my breastmilk?

It’s important to know that human milk is packed with amazing nutrients essential to your baby’s development. Breastmilk is full of:

2 types of protein called whey and casein
Lactose – The main carbohydrate in breastmilk
Milk fat (lipids) – Lots of fat in breastmilk meets your baby’s high energy needs and growth development.
Pre-biotics – A type of fibre which supports the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
Vitamins and minerals- The amount of these in your breastmilk is directly linked to your own vitamin intake. This is why it’s so important to take the right food and vitamins.
Nucleotides – A nucleotide is an organic molecule that is the building block of DNA and RNA.

Look at your diet

Don’t go around chewing on carrot sticks all day, I don’t think anyone is possibly perfect with their diet!

However, make sure your diet is full of the above nutrients and lots of vitamins in order to boost your supply! The content of your breast milk will change with diet.

Make sure to take Calcium, Vitamin D, Iron, Folic Acid vitamins for healthy breastmilk.

Best foods for breastmilk production

Barley

Barley is the richest dietary source of beta-glucan, a polysaccharide that has been shown to increase prolactin (the breastfeeding hormone) in humans and animals!

Add whole barley to stews, soups, salads, risotto and homemade bread!

You can buy whole organic barley here!

Fennel plant and seeds

Both of these types of fennel have been long believed to aid breastmilk production! It does this by stimulating your flow, as well as promoting healthy digestion.

You can add it to dishes like chicken, fish and salads!

Here is where to buy organic fennel seeds!

Papaya

Papaya has been known to increase milk supply by increasing the hormone oxytocin.

Asides from being yummy it is also packed with nutrients for you and your baby.

Eat on its own, or pop in salads, breakfast cereals and smoothies!

Click here to buy Crystallised Papaya spears!

Oats

Oats are packed with Iron which is essential for breastmilk production as well as all-round woman’s health!

Since being Scottish and typically very patriotic, I’m going to suggest you buy some amazing Scottish oats, they really are the best!

Click here to visit the link for Scottish oats

Click here to visit some lactation boosting recipes!

Cut out smoking

I’m not going to sugarcoat this part for you guys. If you do want to breastfeed your child I recommend totally cutting the smoking out. If you do choose to smoke, then I’d go for formula.

The amount of nicotine transferred into breast milk is more than double the quantity transferred through the placenta during pregnancy! Little one deserves the healthiest start to life possible!

Nurse often and follow your baby’s lead

Many people out there might encourage you to feed on demand although that is totally up to you, the truth is that you don’t have to do it this way as it will be increasingly demanding and challenging to do much else.

Instead, I would say to nurse often and eventually, your baby will give you clues as to when and how much she needs. Follow your baby’s lead and don’t worry if what your doing sounds completely different to what another family is.

Always take your mental health into account and give a little love your way too from time to time!

Nursing tea

You may have already heard that many Mothers do indeed take nursing tea to help with their breastmilk supply.

Nursing tea is used to give a little boost to Mamas supply by using ingredients such as fenugreek, along with fennel, anise, coriander and blessed thistle which are all traditional herbs used to aid lactation!

If you are wondering which ones to go for and why, Nanny M has you covered.

Neuners- organic nursing tea

This one is indeed incredibly popular with Mothers! It has fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, verbena and aniseed which all are fantastic for milk production. Check it out here!

VEDDA- Nursing tea for Breastfeeding Mothers

It can be consumed by infants and children as well as Mothers too by soothing Colic, abdominal pain, bloating, cramps and helps with increasing milk secretion in mamas!

It contains lovely ingredients including:

Chamomile flowers
Caraway seeds (good for helping digestive problems including heartburn, bloating, gas, loss of appetite, and mild spasms of the stomach and intestines).
Coriander seeds
Fenel seeds
Peppermint

You can find it here!

Herbal tea for breastfeeding Mothers by Apotheke Pavel Vana

This little gem is great for supporting the function of lactic glands and easing digestion issues in both mama and baby.

It has…

Goat’s Rue – Herb (30%) This is a plant which is used to make herbal medicine to treat tuberculosis and lower blood sugar levels. It’s also a popular breastfeeding herb that women use to make more breast milk
Lemon Balm Herb (20%)
Fennel – Fruit (20%)
Cummin – Fruit
Anice – Fruit

You can find the link here!

If you are looking into buying pure Goats Rue check it out here!