How to Increase Breast Milk Supply: 10 Helpful Tips for New Mothers

Breastfeeding is an important part of caring for a newborn, but many mothers worry about whether they are producing enough milk for their babies. Some may notice that their baby wants to feed frequently, while others may find it difficult to express much milk using a breast pump. If you are wondering how to increase breast milk supply, understanding how milk production works and learning effective breastfeeding techniques can help.

In most cases, regular and effective milk removal is one of the most important ways to support breast milk production. This guide explains practical ways to increase breast milk supply naturally, recognise signs that your baby is getting enough milk, understand possible causes of low milk production and know when to seek professional support.

How Is Breast Milk Produced?

Breast milk production begins during pregnancy and changes after childbirth. Following delivery, hormonal changes help establish milk production. As breastfeeding continues, the amount of milk your body makes is influenced by how frequently and effectively milk is removed from your breasts.

This is often described as the supply-and-demand process: when your baby removes milk effectively and regularly, your body receives signals to produce more.

In the first few days after birth, your breasts produce colostrum, the first milk, which is concentrated and produced in relatively small quantities. Mature milk generally increases over the following days.

It is normal for breastfeeding patterns and milk production to change as your baby grows. However, if your baby is not gaining weight appropriately or is showing signs of inadequate feeding, seek advice from a paediatrician or lactation consultant.

10 Tips on How to Increase Breast Milk Supply Naturally

1. Breastfeed Your Baby Frequently

One of the most effective ways to support breast milk production is to breastfeed frequently and respond to your baby’s hunger cues. During the first few weeks, many newborns breastfeed around 8–12 times or more in 24 hours. Some babies may want to feed more frequently during growth spurts.

Look for early hunger cues, such as:

• Turning the head towards the breast.
• Opening the mouth or making sucking movements.
• Bringing hands towards the mouth.
• Becoming restless.

Crying is a later hunger cue, so try offering the breast before your baby becomes very upset.

Avoid restricting feeds to a rigid schedule unless your healthcare professional has recommended a specific feeding plan. If your newborn is very sleepy or has been advised to feed at set intervals, follow the medical team’s instructions.

2. Check Your Baby’s Latch and Position

A good latch helps your baby remove milk effectively and can reduce nipple pain.

To support a comfortable latch:

• Hold your baby close, with their head and body aligned.
• Position your baby’s nose near your nipple.
• Allow your baby to open their mouth widely before bringing them to the breast.
• Check that the baby’s chin is close to the breast and their cheeks remain rounded during sucking.
• Look or listen for regular swallowing.

Persistent nipple pain, clicking sounds during feeding or difficulty keeping the baby attached may indicate a latch problem.

A lactation consultant or trained breastfeeding professional can observe a feed and help you adjust positioning. Improving milk transfer may also help increase milk production over time.

3. Offer Both Breasts During Feeding

Allow your baby to feed from the first breast while they are actively sucking and swallowing. When swallowing slows or your baby seems satisfied with that side, offer the second breast.

Some babies take milk from both breasts at every feed, while others may prefer one side at certain feeds. Offering both breasts can provide additional opportunities for milk removal. Begin the next feed with the breast that was used less at the previous feed if it feels comfortable.

There is no need to force your baby to finish a breast if they have stopped feeding and appear satisfied.

4. Include Night Feeds When Your Baby Needs Them

Newborns commonly wake during the night to feed. Breastfeeding at night can help maintain frequent milk removal, particularly while your milk supply is being established.

Follow your baby’s hunger cues and any feeding instructions provided by your healthcare professional. If your baby was born prematurely, has jaundice, has difficulty gaining weight or is unusually sleepy, ask your medical team whether you need to wake them for feed and how often.

Do not skip medically recommended feeds simply to maintain a sleep schedule.

5. Try Skin-to-Skin Contact

Skin-to-skin contact means holding your baby against your bare chest while keeping the baby warm and safe. It can help support bonding, encourage feeding cues and make breastfeeding more comfortable.

You can try skin-to-skin contact before feeding, especially when your baby is calm and alert.

Always ensure that your baby’s face remains visible, the nose and mouth are unobstructed, and breathing is not restricted. If you feel sleepy, place your baby safely in their cot rather than falling asleep while holding them.

6. Express Breast Milk When Needed

Hand expression or pumping can help maintain milk removal when your baby cannot breastfeed effectively, when you are separated from your baby or when extra stimulation is recommended.

To express milk:

• Wash your hands and prepare a clean collection container.
• Choose a comfortable position and relax your shoulders.
• Gently massage your breasts if this feels comfortable.
• Express by hand or use a correctly fitted breast pump.
• Follow recommended cleaning and milk-storage guidance.

If your baby is not removing milk effectively, a lactation consultant may recommend expressing after feeds or following a regular pumping plan.

The amount collected during one pumping session does not necessarily show how much milk you produce overall. Pump output can vary with the time of day, equipment, comfort and how recently your baby fed.

7. Use Gentle Breast Compressions

Gentle breast compressions during breastfeeding may help milk flow when your baby is sucking but swallowing less frequently.

To try them, gently squeeze the breast while your baby is attached, avoiding pressure that causes pain. Release when your baby begins swallowing more actively.

You can ask a lactation consultant to demonstrate the technique and check whether it is appropriate for your situation.

Avoid forceful massage or squeezing painful breast tissue.

8. Eat a Balanced Diet and Drink Enough Fluids

Breastfeeding requires energy, and a varied, balanced diet helps support your health during recovery after childbirth.

Try to include:

• Whole grains, such as oats, whole-wheat roti and other grains.
• Protein sources, such as lentils, beans, eggs, dairy products or other suitable foods.
• Vegetables and fruits.
• Healthy fats, such as nuts and seeds, if tolerated.
• Water and other fluids according to thirst.
• Keep water nearby while feeding if that helps you stay hydrated.

No single food, drink or traditional recipe is guaranteed to increase breast milk supply. Oats, fennel, fenugreek and other foods are often discussed as milk-boosting options, but evidence for their effectiveness is limited or inconsistent.

Before taking herbal supplements or medicines marketed to increase milk production, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Some products can cause side effects or interact with medicines.

9. Rest and Ask for Support

Caring for a newborn can be physically and emotionally demanding. While tiredness alone does not necessarily cause low milk supply, support with daily tasks can make breastfeeding more manageable.

You may find it helpful to:

• Ask family members to assist with meals and household tasks.
• Rest when another trusted adult can safely care for the baby.
• Keep feeding supplies and water nearby.
• Discuss breastfeeding concerns without feeling pressured or judged.

If you are experiencing persistent low milk production, pain, anxiety about feeding or difficulty breastfeeding, professional support can help identify practical next steps.

10. Get Professional Help if Your Milk Supply Remains Low

Sometimes low milk production is related to ineffective milk transfer, infrequent feeding or pumping difficulties. Other possible contributors include certain hormonal conditions, previous breast surgery, some medicines, retained placental tissue or other medical issues.

A healthcare professional can assess your history, the baby’s weight and feeding, and possible underlying causes.

Depending on the situation, they may recommend:

• Improving latch and positioning.
• Adjusting feeding frequency.
• Developing an individualised expressing plan.
• Assessing the baby’s weight gain and hydration.
• Reviewing relevant maternal health conditions or medicines.

Do not start prescription medicines or herbal products to increase milk production without professional guidance.

How Do You Know If Your Baby Is Getting Enough Breast Milk?

Many mothers worry about low milk supply even when their babies are feeding well. Frequent feeding, cluster feeding and shorter feeds as babies grow do not automatically mean that milk production is inadequate.

Look at the overall picture rather than relying on one sign.

Your baby’s age, birth history and medical condition can affect these signs. A paediatrician can help interpret them accurately.

Seek prompt medical advice if your newborn has fewer wet nappies than expected, feeds poorly, becomes unusually sleepy, develops worsening jaundice or is not gaining weight appropriately. If the baby is difficult to wake, has breathing difficulty or appears severely unwell, seek emergency care.

What Can Cause Low Breast Milk Supply?

Understanding possible causes can help you choose the right solution.

Common contributing factors include:

1. Ineffective latch: The baby may not remove enough milk during feeds.
2. Infrequent milk removal: Long gaps between feeds or pumping sessions may reduce production.
3. Premature birth or newborn illness: A baby may have difficulty sucking effectively.
4. Separation from the baby: Missed feeds or expressing sessions may affect supply.
5. Maternal health conditions: Certain hormonal or other medical conditions can affect milk production.
6. Previous breast surgery or some medicines: These may influence supply in some cases.

The right approach depends on the cause. A lactation consultant and paediatrician can assess both the mother’s milk production and the baby’s ability to receive enough milk.

Does Drinking More Water Increase Breast Milk Supply?

Drinking enough fluids is important for your health, particularly while breastfeeding. However, drinking excessive amounts of water does not automatically increase milk production.

Drink according to thirst and maintain regular meals. If you are worried about your supply, focus on effective feeding or expressing, checking the baby’s latch and monitoring weight gain rather than forcing yourself to drink large quantities of fluids.

Do Foods Help Increase Breast Milk Supply?

Some foods are traditionally believed to increase breast milk, including oats, fenugreek, fennel and certain seed preparations. These are sometimes called galactagogues when used with the intention of increasing milk production.

However, evidence supporting many specific foods and herbal products is limited. Their use should not replace an assessment of feeding technique, milk removal and the baby’s growth.

A balanced diet is beneficial for general health, but there is no guaranteed food that will increase every mother’s milk supply.

Conclusion

Learning how to increase breast milk supply starts with understanding your baby’s feeding needs and how milk production responds to regular, effective milk removal. Frequent breastfeeding, a comfortable latch, offering both breasts when appropriate and expressing milk when needed can help support supply.

Eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated and getting practical support can also make breastfeeding easier. However, persistent low supply may have an underlying cause and deserves individual assessment.

If you are concerned about your milk production or your baby’s growth, speak with a paediatrician or lactation consultant. Your baby’s hydration, nutrition and healthy growth should always come first.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I increase breast milk supply quickly?

Start by offering the breast frequently, checking your baby’s latch and ensuring effective milk removal. Expressing milk may help when your baby is unable to feed effectively. If you suspect a low supply, seek advice from a lactation consultant or healthcare professional rather than relying on supplements alone.

2. How often should I breastfeed to increase milk supply?

During the first few weeks, many newborns breastfeed around 8–12 times or more in 24 hours. Feed according to your baby’s cues and follow any individual feeding plan recommended by your healthcare professional.

3. Which foods increase breast milk?

No particular food is proven to reliably increase milk production for every mother. A balanced diet supports maternal health, while frequent and effective milk removal is a key factor in maintaining supply.

4. Does pumping increase breast milk supply?

Regular expressing can help stimulate and maintain production, particularly if the baby is not removing milk effectively. The best frequency depends on your baby’s feeding pattern and your circumstances, so an individualised plan may be helpful.

5. Why is my breast milk supply low even though I eat well?

Low milk production can have several causes, including latch problems, infrequent milk removal, certain health conditions, medicines or previous breast surgery. A professional assessment can help identify the cause.

6. Should I give formula if my breast milk supply is low?

Some babies need supplementary feeds when breast milk intake is insufficient. A paediatrician or qualified feeding professional can help determine whether supplementation is necessary and how to protect milk production while ensuring the baby receives enough nutrition. Do not delay medically recommended supplementation if your baby needs it.

7. When should I contact a doctor about low breast milk supply?

Seek professional advice if your baby has poor weight gain, fewer wet nappies than expected, persistent feeding difficulties or worsening jaundice. A newborn who is difficult to wake, cannot feed or appears seriously unwell needs urgent medical assessment.