Breastfeeding/Milk Supply Help

I plan to breast feed as well as pump and save once I have the baby.  In the past, I've always had a very minimum milk supply and eventually gave into the formula. 

I know the normal stuff, like, nurse more often, use both sides, pump after nursing, etc.

But what can I do to REALLY jumpstart my milk supply and increase it?

I'm 28 weeks now so mentally I am preparing for the reality that I could have the baby and she be viable at any given time now(God wiliing, she will stay put until she is done cooking in there)

I've heard about drinking a beer a day, Funugreek, Alfalfa and drinking lots of water.  Do you ladies have any other suggestions?

Make sure that you take in alot of fluid. Water,juice, soups. If you'd like to try a supplement to increase milk supply try More Milk Plus by MotherLove. It's safe but you could check with your doc if you'd like. I did and I asked my son's pediatrician as well.  The stuff works so well.

Edited by tianini - Sep 04 2011 at 5:49pm

My daughter was born at 28 weeks so I understand where you're coming from. My goal was to EBF but with her being in NICU, I got very discouraged going back and forth to the hospital and pumping at home. I did BF for as long as I could though. What helped me was eating lots of oatmeal and drinking a lot of water. Buy a few of those 24 pack waters fro Walmart. You can mix it with Crystal Light if it becomes too bland for you. I stopped BF'ing back in May but am still lactating.

Besides Fenugreek I drunk Mother's Milk Tea from GNC and it worked for me. I also ate oatmeal and drunk loads of fluids to replace what was taken during breastfeeding. In a book I had it actually recommended drinking a glass of water while breastfeeding. Hope this helps.

My suggestion (and what has worked for me)would be to try not pumping until your supply is actually established.  For the first month I only nursed.  After the month (about 3 weeks before I returned to work)  is when I started pumping and storing. 

As everyone else said Fenugreek, oatmeal and water.  Also, if you are freezing your milk, but your baby wont drink it once defrosted, you may have a lipase issue.  Best of luck!