Tips To Increase Breast Milk Before Baby Is Born
The hard truth: there is no way to INCREASE milk supply before baby is born.
While pregnant, colostrum's the star and it’s ready on tap. But the milk factory? It only kicks into high gear after baby is born, thanks to hormonal shenanigans post-placenta separation!
However, there ARE some things you can do while pregnant to help you make the most milk possible after your sweet baby enters the world…
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So while you can’t increase milk production before baby arrvies, there IS something you can do after 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Something called colostrum harvesting. Get the green light from your healthcare provider and start collecting that liquid gold to have on hand after delivery. This is called antenatal colostrum harvesting. Read more about how to do it here.
There are also things you can do during pregnancy and in the few hours after birth to ensure you’ll have a healthy milk supply postpartum.
Here are our favorite ways to master your milk supply:
Learn about breastfeeding before baby is born. Learning about breastfeeding before baby's arrival gives you a secret advantage. It's the key to mastering the art of nursing, making it smoother for you and baby from the get-go. Enroll in The Ultimate Breastfeeding Class!
Maintain a balanced and nutritious diet throughout pregnancy. Once baby is here? Time to fuel up with milk-boosting goodies! Load up on lactation superheroes like oats, flaxseeds, brewer's yeast, and leafy greens. Don't forget to indulge in yummy whole grains, like barley and brown rice, and keep those healthy fats from nuts and avocados coming. Read more: 57 lactogenic foods to increase milk supply
Stay hydrated. Quench that mama thirst! Breastfeeding calls for some extra hydration, so keep that water close and sip away. While no need to drown in it, staying properly hydrated is key - it won't magically boost milk supply, but being parched might hinder it. Bottoms up!
Hand express colostrum within the first hour after birth. Kickstart the milk factory in style! Whip out that hand express action within the first hour after birth. It's like giving a green light to higher milk production.
Treat your little one to 8-12 breastfeeding sessions every 24 hours, and whenever they show those hunger cues, don't hold back! Keep the milk bar open for business 'round the clock, and let your baby enjoy the milk galore. Happy baby, happy mama, and plenty of bonding moments in store!
After a month of exclusively breastfeeding, if all's well and baby is thriving at the breast, you can add in a daily pumping session to boost your supply! Show your body that extra milk is needed by adding a daily pumping session at the same time every day. Your clever body will respond by producing more and letting you stash some milk for a rainy day.
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