Foods To Increase Breast Milk Supply

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Deepa Bansal

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यह लेख Hindi में पढ़ें।

You must have read my last post on how you can increase breast milk supply by doing certain things if you are running low on it. In this post I will tell you about all the possible supplements or foods that help in increasing the breast milk supply. So here’s the list of some tried and tested foods to increase breast milk supply. However, expert’s consultation is a must before using any of these.

1. Fenugreek seeds or Methi seeds

I know you must be making a face even at the thought of having methi seeds. But trust me when I say that there is not one supplementation that helps as much as fenugreek seeds do.

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As it is, methi seeds have been used for decades as a herbal supplement that increases the breast milk production without fail.

However, the results may not be instantly apparent. Where some mothers reported an increase in their breast milk only after 24 hours, there were others who had to wait for a week or two for the same.

As for me, I used to crush the methi seeds into a fine powder and have two spoons full daily in the morning with lukewarm water. Try it and see a change for yourself.

ALSO READ – 5 Common Questions And Answers About Breastfeeding

2. Shatavari or Asparagus

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Second in my list of food to increase breast milk supply is Shatavari. Shatavari has also been used for centuries as a herb to cure not only a number of diseases but also enhance breast milk supply.

Shatavari works in two ways – by increasing the breast milk supply as well as improving the quality of the breast milk at the same time. And it works wonders.

I would use Dabur Shatavari powder and mix one spoon full in a glass of warm milk and take it in the morning at breakfast. You could have it twice as well.

ALSO READ – How To Store Breastmilk

3. Oatmeal or Dalia

Another great galactogogue is oatmeal that works wonders for your breast milk supply is oatmeal or dalia. For one, it is one of the healthier meal options for mothers and two, it helps up your milk supply.

A number of lactation experts recommend eating a bowl of oatmeal at least once a day. The studies for oatmeal improving breast milk supply have mixed results though.

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Where consuming oatmeal has greatly helped a number of mothers, for others, it made little to no difference at all in their milk supply.

Dalia was a part of my every day morning breakfast and I’m not sure to say whether it was oatmeal alone that helped me with breast milk supply.

Personally, may be because I tried supplementing my diet with not just one of these herbs, but a combination of them all, that I saw a good amount of increase in my breast milk. You have to see for yourself what works best for you.

All these supplements are safe to use as they are herbal. In fact, galactogogues (foods that increase breast milk supply) are recommended by lactation consultants as well. But in case you feel then you must speak to your doctor before trying any one of these.

Keeping these foods and supplements in mind, you have to also remember that due to our bodily functions and others, there are times when our milk supply is reduced automatically. And how do you know when it happens?

ALSO READ – Foods To Avoid When Breastfeeding – A Personal Experience

Times when your milk supply will be low temporarily:

A few days before your period arrives, hormonal imbalance will cause a slight reduction in your breast milk supply.
If your baby is on a growth spurt, there may be a change in his feeding routine – he may or may not be drinking enough milk. If latter is the case, make sure you pump enough.
Studies have shown that when mothers return to work, the separation from their baby and increased stress causes milk supply to reduce as well.
Some medical problems like tongue-tie in baby, yeast infection or inverted nipples
Because after a C-sec, moms need more time for recovery, hence, a little less effort on breastfeeding.
If you’re trying to get pregnant while nursing and taking birth control pills that contain estrogen and progesterone.

Have you tried any of these? What kind of results you had? Do you have any other food that you would like to recommend for increasing breast milk supply? Please let us know.