Top Tips to Increase Your Breast Milk Supply
The amount of pressure put on new moms in 2025 is intense! If your milk supply is struggling or you feel like your baby isn't getting what they need, you may want to actively work on increasing your breast milk production.
Here are some tips to help you get there, and be sure to check out our Breastfeeding 101 course!
First, the golden rule: To make more milk, you need to REMOVE MORE MILK MORE OFTEN. Breastfeeding works by supply and demand - removing milk frequently signals your body to produce more
1. Consult with an IBCLC or Lactation Professional
If your baby isn’t effectively removing milk due to latch issues, a feeding assessment with an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can be extremely helpful. They can also assess for underlying medical conditions like PCOS, thyroid issues, postpartum blood loss, or illness, all of which can contribute to low milk supply.
2. Assess Your Baby’s Latch
An inefficient latch can decrease your milk supply in two ways:
If your baby isn't removing milk effectively, leftover milk in your breasts signals your body to slow production.
A shallow latch can cause pain, leading to shorter or less frequent feeds, which again tells your body to produce less milk.
3. Take Care of Yourself
Since you are the one making the milk, prioritizing your own well-being is crucial. Ensure you’re consuming enough calories, drinking plenty of water, managing stress, and getting as much rest as possible (yeah…easier said than done sometimes!). A well-nourished and well-rested mom makes more milk!
4. Feed from Both Breasts
Switching sides during a feeding session increases milk removal and stimulation. Start on one side, then when your baby’s sucking slows, switch to the other breast. At the next feeding, begin on the side you ended with previously.
5. Avoid Pacifiers and Bottles
Using a pacifier may mask hunger cues, causing your baby to nurse less often. Bottles can also interfere with milk supply because they reduce direct breast stimulation. If supplementing is necessary, try offering the breast first, then supplement afterward and be sure to replace any missed stimulation at the breast with hand expression or using a hand pump or electric breast pump.
6. Increase Skin-to-Skin Contact
Holding your baby skin-to-skin boosts oxytocin and prolactin, hormones essential for milk production. It also encourages baby-led breastfeeding, providing additional stimulation for increased milk supply.
7. Pump or Nurse More Often
Since milk production is all about demand, increasing the number of times you breastfeed or pump can help boost supply. If your baby isn’t feeding more frequently, consider adding a pumping session, especially in the early morning when milk production is at its peak.
8. Fully Empty Your Breasts
After nursing, pump for an additional 5–10 minutes to signal your body that more milk is needed. If exclusively pumping, continue for a few extra minutes after milk stops flowing to stimulate further production.
9. Try Power Pumping
Power pumping mimics a baby’s natural cluster feeding, which helps increase supply. To power pump:
Pump for 20 minutes
Rest for 10 minutes
Pump for 10 minutes
Rest for 10 minutes
Pump for 10 minutes This should replace one pumping session daily or be done after a nursing session.
10. Consider Supplements (With Caution)
While some herbs and foods (like oats, flaxseed, brewer’s yeast, and fenugreek) may help, no supplement is a magic fix. They work best as part of a larger strategy involving frequent milk removal. Always consult your provider before adding supplements.
The Bottom Line
A combination of these strategies tends to work best for increasing milk supply. If possible, create a plan with a lactation consultant for the best results. But above all, remember: To make more milk, REMOVE MORE MILK MORE OFTEN!
Happy breastfeeding!
