How can I make more milk?

Breastfeeding is good for you and your baby

If you are asking this question, you are probably thinking that your milk production is not enough for your baby (Please read the next section "How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?"), or you want to produce more breastmilk so that it could be expressed/pumped out and stored in the fridge and given to your baby later while you return to work or not at home.

However, please note that too much milk production (more than what your baby needs) may cause breast engorgement or even blocked ducts if the breasts are not properly emptied. There are working mums who store up abundant expressed milk in the freezer but eventually expired (>6 months). Therefore it is advised to store the milk in an amount enough for your baby to avoid wastage.

Here are some practical tips to increase milk production.

• Breastfeed -- start EARLY
• Breastfeed FREQUENTLY
• Proper latch-on
• Correct nursing position
• Adequate hydration and balanced diet
• Take rest and be relaxed
• Massage and hot pads
• Don’t supplement with water or formula milk
• Use of breastpumps
• Don’t use pacifiers or milk bottles before 4 weeks old