Everything You Need to Know About Increasing Milk Supply: Actionable tips from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant & Low Milk Supply Specialist™
Have you ever wondered:
“Am I making enough milk?”
“Why does my baby want to feed all the time?”
“My breasts don’t feel full anymore - is my supply dropping?”
“Should I start supplementing”
Concerns about milk supply are one of the most common reasons why parents will seek feeding support.
Here’s the truth:
🤔 True low milk supply is less common than most parents think.
Perceived low milk supply, however, is very common.
Perceived Low Milk Supply vs. True Low Milk Supply
You may feel (or perceive) that you have low milk supply because:
Your baby feeds often
Your breasts feel softer
Your pumped volumes are small
Your baby is fussy in the evening
Your baby suddenly wants to nurse more
Less commonly, parents may have difficulty making enough milk to support their baby’s growth and development (aka true low milk supply). This can be related to:
Delayed or infrequently milk removal postpartum
Poor latch or oral restrictions (click here for more information on tongue ties)
Significant blood loss at birth, or retained placenta
Hormonal or thyroid disorders
Insufficient glandular (milk making) tissue
Previous breast surgery or injury
Certain medications
Individual assessment and support matters. Working with a Lactation Consultant can help you identify potential issues and help you reach your feeding goals.
What is Actually Normal?
Making milk works on a supply/demand system. In the early weeks after your baby is born, your body is building your milk supply. Colostrum is the first milk your body makes (which begins in your second trimester of pregnancy, and continues for the first few days postpartum). Sometime between 3-5 days postpartum, you begin making more milk. You may feel “fullness” or “heaviness” during this time, and may even leak milk. As your body learns what your baby needs to grow and thrive, it is important to frequently and effectively remove milk so that your milk supply is supported long term.
💻 check out KellyMom for more information on how your body makes milk!
Eventually, your milk production will stabilize. Your breasts will comfortably accommodate your milk supply, meaning you may not feel “full” or “heavy” sensations before every feeding. This does not mean that your supply has decreased, it means your body is regulating (which is normal!). Your body and your baby work together to make sure you continue to make enough milk.
Normal newborn behaviours that often get mistaken for low milk supply:
Feeding 8-12+ times in 24 hours
Cluster feeding (especially in the later afternoon and/or evening)
Wanting to nurse within 30-90 minutes after finishing a feeding
Having short feedings sometimes, and long feedings other times
Fussiness during growth spurts
These behaviours are normal (and expected). Newborns have tiny bellies that digest your milk quickly. Frequent feeding does not mean that you have low milk supply.
Postpartum changes that may be mistaken for low milk supply:
Breasts that don’t feel “full” or “engorged”
Pumping “small” amounts (especially after breastfeeding)
Supply fluctuations throughout the day and night
Breast fullness should ease over time. As your baby regulates your milk supply, it is normal to have different volumes throughout the day and night. Your milk changes based on the time of day, and based on your baby’s needs.
How To Increase Milk Supply (proven methods that actually work)
Supply and Demand: empty breasts make more milk.
Milk production increases when milk is frequently (and effectively) removed. Full breasts make less milk. As soon as you remove milk, your body begins to make more. When nursing, look for these signs of effective milk removal:
✔ A wide open mouth and deep latch at the breast
✔ Audible swallowing
✔ Active, vigorous sucking
If your baby is not able to transfer milk, or your breast pump is not removing milk well, this can negatively impact your milk supply.
Offer both breasts at each feeding
Your baby may not want to feed from both breasts every time, and that’s okay. However, if you are paying attention to your baby while they are feeding, you may notice a change in their drinking when they are not actively feeding. You can unlatch and offer the second breast. This will increase the total milk volume your baby drinks, and stimulate stronger milk production.
Use breast compressions 💦
If your baby is sleepy, or you are concerned with how well they are feeding, you can use your hands to help. Gently compress your breast while your baby is sucking. This increases milk flow which encourages your baby to drink and continue to remove milk.
La Leche League Canada has a great video on how to use breast compressions while breastfeeding your baby
Unlimited skin to skin contact
This is one of the most underused tools for increasing milk supply. Skin to skin contact is proven to:
📈 boost your milk making hormones
🤱🏻 encourage your baby to nurse more frequently
👶 improve your response to baby’s cues
☺️ stabilize baby’s vital signs and nervous system (which allows them to feed more calmly & effectively)
Nutrition & Hydration 🍎
Families all over the world breastfeed their babies. Your culture and access to certain foods can impact your diet. There is no “perfect” diet to follow, but eating regularly and being hydrated are important in supporting milk supply. Pregnancy, labour and delivery, and lactation requires a lot of nutrients and energy, so eating regularly and drinking enough fluids is important for your overall health and ability to make lots of milk.
⭐️ A Dietitian can help navigate any questions you have about your diet, and ensure you are optimizing your nutrition for postpartum recovery and milk supply.
Sleep
Chronic sleep deprivation can affect your milk supply. Your sleep habits will change when you have a newborn, and it may feel difficult to get “enough” sleep. However it is possible to get good quality sleep in this stage of parenthood.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and struggling with sleep, download the FREE Newborn Sleep Survival Guide 😴
Created by a Perinatal Certified® Registered Nurse, Lactation Consultant, and Newborn Sleep Specialist, to help you understand what’s normal, safe, and supportive when it comes to infant sleep. This research-backed guide promotes safe, responsive, attachment-based care from industry leading experts and is ideal for expecting parents and families with babies under 6 months old.
📲 You can also book a newborn sleep consultation for personalized support
Self-Care
Stress can interfere with your milk let-down (when your milk is actively flowing while nursing or pumping). Your mental health matters. You matter.
Taking time to tend to yourself and your needs is vital, not optional. It may look different in the early days and weeks of having a newborn, but make sure to set aside some time for yourself.
🧘 Practice deep breathing (slowly inhale for 4 seconds, pause for 4 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds, and pause again for 4 seconds). Deep breathing has been shown to help regulate stress levels.
🌤️ Spend a few minutes outside. You don’t need to do anything but notice your environment. What do you smell, see, or hear? How do you feel? What is the weather like? If you have the time and energy, try taking a short walk.
⏰ Dedicate a time of day for your personal time. Set an alarm, put your feet up, enjoy your favourite snack and beverage. It may only be for a few minutes at first, but work toward having a set time to just be with yourself and relax.
Accept support 🤝
Have you received any “if you need anything, let me know!” offers? Time to cash in. The people in y our life genuinely want to help you! Here are some ideas of how your family, friends, or community can be supportive:
Run errands (like picking up a grocery order)
Fold a load of laundry, wash the dishes
Help with older children and/or pets
Bring you your favourite coffee order and hold the baby while you shower
You don’t need to do it all alone.
Work with an IBCLC!
If you are worried about your milk supply, guessing and consulting Dr. Google is not the answer. An IBCLC who specializes in low milk production can:
Assess latch and milk transfer
Perform weighted feedings (measure how much milk your baby drinks while nursing)
Identify potential oral restrictions
Guide you through pumping
Create a sustainable feeding plan
Consult with your health care provider to screen for potential underlying factors impacting your milk supply
You and your baby are unique and deserve individualized care that honours your circumstances, needs, and goals. This is not one-size-fits-all care. Your IBCLC will provide evidence-based recommendations, and advocate for you, your baby, and your family.
When to book a consultation 🗓️
Consider booking a consultation with a Lactation Consultant if:
Baby is not gaining weight, or their wet/dirty diapers are less than expected
You are triple feeding (nursing, pumping, and bottle feeding) and feel exhausted
You are supplementing and are unsure of how much to use, or how to protect your milk supply
There are risk factors for low milk supply
You feel anxious about your feeding plan
It is never too early or too late to get support. You are not failing - milk production is biology, not a measure of your worth. With the right support, most milk supply challenges can improve significantly.
🌎 Sweet Pea Lactation Consulting offers virtual support from wherever you are.
📍If you are located in the Annapolis Valley, NS (and surrounding areas) you can request an in-home consultation or visit
Herbs, Supplements, and Medications For Milk Supply
When true low milk supply is identified and foundational strategies (frequent milk removal, latch optimization, pumping plans, skin to skin) have been addressed, some families may consider a galactagogue. A “galactagogue” is a food, herb, or drug that promotes the production of and/or increases the flow of your milk. An IBCLC can help make sure you have the right information to make an informed decision in collaboration with your primary care provider if a galactagogue is right for you.
One of the most commonly discussed medications available in Canada to support lactation is Domperidone. Domperidone is a medication that treats gastrointestinal issues. When taken in higher doses, it increases your milk making hormone (prolactin). Higher prolactin levels can help increase milk supply for some parents.
👉 The International Breastfeeding Centre in Toronto, ON, provides detailed information on Domperidone and its use for lactation.
⭐️ If considering the use of Domperidone, your primary care provider should encourage a referral to an IBCLC.
Herbal supplements can be effective, however, not all herbal remedies are safe for lactation. “Natural” does not mean risk-free; herbal supplements can interfere with other medications, and have significant side effects. However, there is emerging evidence that shows certain herbal remedies can be supportive for parents dealing with low milk supply.
Galactagogues can be incredibly helpful for some parents, but only when used thoughtfully. If you are considering the use of a galactagogue:
Consult with your Lactation Consultant
Confirm whether your milk supply is truly “low”
Optimize milk removal first
Address latch, positioning, milk transfer, and pumping
Rule out potential underlying medical causes for low milk supply
Review your medical history for potential interactions
Make an informed decision with a provider who is trained in lactation care
