What to do to INCREASE the flow...

Many woman struggle in the first few weeks/months of breastfeeding until they establish their supply and/or get the hang of it. A number of lactating woman also feel that they are not producing enough in order to meet the demands of a newborn baby. This can often be the thought due to having a screaming baby, one that keeps searching for a suck, poor weight gain etc, not thriving etc etc. 

Here are a few tips to maybe get things flowing:

1. Allow lots of sucking:Breastmilk is produced on demand, and the sucking stimulates your body thinking there is more demand for milk.
2. Pump between feeds: This will also trigger the supply-and-demand cycle in your body to produce more milk.
3. Lots of skin to skin contact: This will release a hormone called prolactin. Prolactin stimulates oxytocin (the feel good hormone). Both prolactin and oxytocin can help stimulate breast milk production.
4. Drink more water: to avoid dehydration. Institute of Medicine recommends arounds 3.1 L compared to 2.2 L in non breastfeeding mothers.(This changes according to activity levels/environmental needs etc)
5. Manage stress when possible: Outsource tasks if they are becoming too overwhelming. Listen to relaxing music during nursing sessions. 
6. Empty breasts during feeding: The more milk that is removed the more you will make.
7. Consider fenugreek tea: Fenugreek is one of a few herbs that has data to support its use as a galactagogue (substance to help increase milk supply).
8. Make sure you are getting the additional 500 calories (a day) to help aid the increase in nutritional demands.

For further assistance see your local Lactation consultant or call the Australian Breastfeeding Association.