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Suggest Ways To Increase Breast Milk Production

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Posted on Tue, 27 Sep 2016
Question: hi. I am breastfeeding my 4 weeks old baby. but my baby does not take milk directly. so i have to express and feed him. i wanted to know ideally how much milk should i be able to express during a day? I am not able to feed him completely my milk as I am unable to get enough milk every 2 hours. Also one breast produces less milk. What should be done for that?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Purushottam Neurgaonkar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
700-900 cc per day, galactagogues if needed. Be stress free, comfortable.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Dr. Purushottam welcomes you to HCM virtual clinic!
Thanks for consulting at my virtual clinic. I have carefully gone through your query, and I think I have understood your concern. I will try to address your medical concerns and would suggest you the best of the available treatment options.

1.First of all do not panic.

2.Right from day 1,breast milk formation increases from 30 to 40 cc upto 700 to 900 cc by day 30 after delivery.
It is a very good practice to feed the baby on expressed breast milk, if baby not latching or sucking the milk directly from the breast.

3. refilling of milk between 2 expressing episodes depends on various factors.

It is usually seen to be more in the beginning of the day and reduces later on.

Also, your hydration- water intake plays important role. So keep drinking lots of water in the day.

Your emotional status is also important. Breast milk secreting hormone is formed in the pituitary gland in the brain near emotional area- the Hypothalamus.
Have privacy when breastfeeding the baby.Room should quiet, well lighted, comfortable.
You should sit comfortably, no forward bending. Take pillow support to elevate the baby upto breasts.
Be calm, cool , happy, think positive.

4. If baby does not demand next feed within 2 hours and does not cry in between; also if there is at least a 500 gm weight gain over the birth weight in 4 weeks; it means baby has adequate intake. You need not worry at all.

5. Each breast has a definite milk containing capacity, It may vary between 2 breasts.

In general- have a nutritious diet, regular post natal exercises.
Drink at least 2 to 25 liters of water in a day.
CAlcium and protein supplements and milk and milk products consumption on daily basis for 3 to 6 months will be of help.

Some substances known to help increase breastmilk production - called as Galactogogues, like Fenugreek ( METHI), Asparagus (SHATAVARI) etc,these can be taken with the help of your treating doctor.
A course of Metoclopramide will be helpful. Please seek help of your treating doctor.

I hope this answer was helpful to you!
Please kindly rate it as helpful and write a short review about your experience with me! I would appreciate that a lot.
Thank you and best regards!
Dr Purushottam S Neurgaonkar

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Purushottam Neurgaonkar (25 hours later)
hi dr. thanks for your advise. I also wanted to ask is it safe to give formula milk to baby along with breast milk? I have noticed my production has gone down and my baby's demand has increased. so he is more on formula and less on my milk. but i am really worried for this.
Also how many times should I ideally extract milk in a day and how much is the adequate quantity in one extracting session? currently I am able to extract only 50 ml once in 4 hours.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Purushottam Neurgaonkar (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Alternatively use breast milk + top feed and top feeds.

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Thanks for appreciating the answer and reverting back.

I will suggest you to express out breast milk as you get the feeling of fullness in th breasts.

Secondly, if baby demands top feed after the breast milk feeding and demand is more than one ounce, 30 ml then that would be approximate need of the baby for that feeding.

You can simply feed the baby next time on top feed - formula. And after that if 4 to 5 hours have passed after the previous breast milk expression, you can again take out breast milk.

Please do not worry about the issue of formula milk.

Please use galactogogues as discussed, and be happy and cheerful.

Use this time of baby care to develop a strong loving bond between you and your baby.
Enjoy motherhood.
Cheer up.

I hope this answer helps you.
Thanks.
Dr. Purushottam Neurgaonkar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Purushottam Neurgaonkar

OBGYN

Practicing since :1992

Answered : 2236 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Increase Breast Milk Production

Brief Answer: 700-900 cc per day, galactagogues if needed. Be stress free, comfortable. Detailed Answer: Hi Dr. Purushottam welcomes you to HCM virtual clinic! Thanks for consulting at my virtual clinic. I have carefully gone through your query, and I think I have understood your concern. I will try to address your medical concerns and would suggest you the best of the available treatment options. 1.First of all do not panic. 2.Right from day 1,breast milk formation increases from 30 to 40 cc upto 700 to 900 cc by day 30 after delivery. It is a very good practice to feed the baby on expressed breast milk, if baby not latching or sucking the milk directly from the breast. 3. refilling of milk between 2 expressing episodes depends on various factors. It is usually seen to be more in the beginning of the day and reduces later on. Also, your hydration- water intake plays important role. So keep drinking lots of water in the day. Your emotional status is also important. Breast milk secreting hormone is formed in the pituitary gland in the brain near emotional area- the Hypothalamus. Have privacy when breastfeeding the baby.Room should quiet, well lighted, comfortable. You should sit comfortably, no forward bending. Take pillow support to elevate the baby upto breasts. Be calm, cool , happy, think positive. 4. If baby does not demand next feed within 2 hours and does not cry in between; also if there is at least a 500 gm weight gain over the birth weight in 4 weeks; it means baby has adequate intake. You need not worry at all. 5. Each breast has a definite milk containing capacity, It may vary between 2 breasts. In general- have a nutritious diet, regular post natal exercises. Drink at least 2 to 25 liters of water in a day. CAlcium and protein supplements and milk and milk products consumption on daily basis for 3 to 6 months will be of help. Some substances known to help increase breastmilk production - called as Galactogogues, like Fenugreek ( METHI), Asparagus (SHATAVARI) etc,these can be taken with the help of your treating doctor. A course of Metoclopramide will be helpful. Please seek help of your treating doctor. I hope this answer was helpful to you! Please kindly rate it as helpful and write a short review about your experience with me! I would appreciate that a lot. Thank you and best regards! Dr Purushottam S Neurgaonkar