My friend is facing shortage of breast milk ,how can she increase quantity of milk?

First, why does she think she doesn't have enough milk? Sometimes, new moms think they don't have enough milk when baby seems to be fussy for several days, wants to nurse constantly, etc. Often this is a growth spurt and is totally normal. Is she just not feeling as full as she used to? This is normal after 6-12 weeks . . . it's an adjustment the body makes. Is baby not gaining weight/wetting enough diapers? Is she struggling to pump enough when she has to be away from baby? These are problems that need addressing.

If baby is currently not wetting enough diapers, your friend needs to speak with her pediatrician right away to prevent dehydration. Otherwise, see info to follow.

Steps to take to increase milk supply . . . make sure baby is latching properly and is well postitioned. Then, nurse often, at least every 1.5-2 hours during the day and 3 hours at night (this isn't forever, just for a few days, then go back to nursing on demand). Nursing is a supply/demand thing . . . the more a baby nurses the more milk there is. If your friend is working, perhaps she can take 2 or 3 days (a weekend, or a weekend plus a day off) and have a "nursing vactation" where she spends the time at home with baby, doing nothing but nursing, eating, sleeping, basic self/baby care. Also, make sure she offers both breasts at each feeding, even if baby seems full after the first . . . baby may take just a bit more and encourgae more production. Some babies can be "tricked" into nursing longer is mom switches sides about 3 times during a feeding. If possible, your friend should avoid the use of pacifiers and bottles. Perhaps she can look into alternative feeding methods (see source). If the baby is getting solids, try reducing the amount of solids to encourage more nursing. Make sure mom is sleeping enough, drinking enough, eating enough (don't go overboard with water . . . extra water doesn't equal extra milk). Your friend might consider pumping after feedings, even if she doesn't get any milk. Also, she may want to consider some of these herbs: feenugreek, blessed thistle, alfala. Your friend should work with a doctor and lactation consultant if a few days of this doesn't help. (Also to get good info on dosages.) There are prescriptions to increase milk, but these are a last resort. Good luck to your friend!

My Mother told me to have a beer, I thought she was crazy but I researched it. Actually it's the yeast in the beer that helps with milk production. So instead of a beer (which made me uncomfortable while breastfeeding) you can get Brewer's Yeast at any health food store.

All of the tricks that everyone has given you are great (feed more, pump inbetween feedings) But I will say this, I know there is a lot of pressure out there not to suplement with formula, but if the baby is not gaining weight and not having 8 to 10 wet diapers a day, suplementing may be the way to go. It will not keep her from breastfeeding and it may be what the baby needs until her milk production increases.

It has been years since I breast fed but I remember that your supply is only equal to the recent consumption. So if she feeds more frequently she will produce more. But she will not run out. If she pumps her breast milk it will also increase her output. Babies dont starve who are breast fed. Until she weans the baby off of it then will it dry up. Also make sure she eats properly to give her child good nutrition through her milk.

she can try pumping in between feedings but i will warn it is very time consuming and you really can't do anything else but feed the baby and pump or she can keep a baby latched on all day cuz when they are about to hit a growth spur they will want to be attached 24/7 to build up the milk supply. Best of Luck it gets harder before it gets easier but its really really good for baby. the more milk that is released the more milk will have to be replaced.

Drink more water-also pump in between feedings will up the volume of milk-if all else fails there is a nose spray gotten from the doctor to up the hormones to produce milk.

she should only express, if she is expressing, after each feeding she will only get a little but it will eventually be enough or express when the babies feeding time if she is at work

she may need to make up a store breast milk freezes for like two months and in the fridge for 7 days once she has a store she will have enough to leave when she goes to work

She needs to make sure she's eating right, getting lots of rest, keeping stress to a minimum, feeding often/pumping frequently, and staying hydrated. If that still isn't working then she can talk to her doc who can give her some meds to help increase her milk production. If you don't use it you lose it. :o)

She needs to make sure that she is drinking plenty of fluids.

There is a tea you can get at many healthfood stores that is supposed to increase breastmilk supply. It has been many years since I used it and I don't recal the name. It tasted awful, but it really did help. Just call around to healthfood stores. I bet someone will know what I am talking about.

she needs to stop milking for about a 6 hours so that her breast can make more milk.the more often you milk the less milk you leave, so i suggest she stop milking for a couple of hours or at least 1 day.

Feeding the baby more frequently, often stimulates more milk (supply & demand) otherwise pumping is a good idea.