Increasing supply

What can I do to increase my supply? I want to be able to pump and get a freezer stash so that I can give my little girl bottles with my milk In. at the moment I’m breastfeeding straight from me but occasionally she will have a formula bottle (so my parents can feed her, I’m a single mum) but I want to stop using formula as I’m struggling with money so I can’t always have formula there, so how can I get my supply up to get a freezer stash? I do have a pump but With me feeding on boob most of the time I don’t really get much milk. What can I do?
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How much are you getting? Babies need a lot less breastmilk than you think, less than formula because the composition changes to suit babies needs so 3-4oz max in a bottle regardless of age is sufficient. how much are you pumping? You can combine milk from multiple pumps to get enough for a bottle. As little as 0.5-2 oz both boobs combined is average output alongside breastfeeding. The only way to increase supply is by milk removal so pumping often / power pumping. Supplements etc aren’t proven to work and some such as fenegreek can actually lower supply in some women. x

@Gem unless I’m engorged I get between nothing and 1oz (which is seen as normal) When my baby has a bottle she can have 4oz and then still be hungry (I know this as I go through a ‘checklist’ of nappy, wind, playing) and if still searching she will eat again from bottle OR will take from breast too (I can tell when she’s comfort sucking vs eating) I’m pumping 2-3 times a day x

Are you pace feeding the bottle? I’d pump more often if you really need a stash and maybe do some power pumping (mimics cluster feeding) xx

Pump 30 minutes to an hour after is what I do when my baby does latch and feed off of me. The more you pump the more you will encourage a larger supply. Just be careful because you don't want it to be a massive over supplier. Do you feed from one side or both? If you do just one side, pump the opposite.

@Helen I feed both boobs 🙂

Like gem says if she’s having a 4 ounce bottle and she finishes it and still acts fussy she’s probably not hungry she’s just not realised she’s full yet. Please look at pace feeding to make sure that by the time she’s finished a 4 ounce bottle she is full and not acting fussy.

@Emma she’s nearly 6 months so will this still be the same no matter her age?

My eight month old has only ever had 4 ounces and this keeps her full for nearly 4 hours. The calorie content of your milk adapt to your baby. so unlike formula you will only ever need up to 5 ounces more than this. As on average your breast make between 1-1.5 Oz an hour

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