Getty Images
Two to five percent of nursing women suffer from primary insufficient milk, which is unrelated to breastfeeding technique.
You can help to increase your milk production:
- Make sure your baby is properly positioned
- Nurse more often
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat regular, nutritious meals
- Cut back on stressful activities
- Talking to your doctor about medications or herbs that might stimulate lactation.
To make breastfeeding easier:
- Use a hospital-grade electric breastpump if you think your infant is not emptying your breasts
- Surround yourself with friends and relatives who understand how often a breastfeeding baby needs to nurse
- Nurse your infant on demand, every two or three hours, or as often as 12 times in a 24-hour period
- Avoid using pacifiers until breastfeeding has been established
- Join a support group, such as La Leche League.
Marianne Neifert, M.D., "The Breastfeeding Problem Nobody Talks About" Parenting, November 1998, pp.158-165
