Breastfeeding Questions - Increasing Breastmilk Supply
I am a breastfeeding mum of twin boys. I delivered 3 weeks ago and my babies are in neonatal ICU. The babies were only 27 weeks gestation and they weighed 900gms(2 Ib). I am expressing milk for them but not enough for 2 babies (about 250 ml in 24 hours). I would like to start some fenugreek tablets or something like that. Because my babies are very tiny I am worried that it may be harmful to them? If so please can you let me now the name of a suitable product? Please advise me how I can increase the milk supply without any side effects for the babies.
Firstly congratulations on the birth of your twin boys. You are doing a wonderful thing for them by expressing your breastmilk and I am sure they will benefit tremendously from it.
Expressing can be difficult when your babies are born early so you are great to be trying to express at all - so well done!
Many women find Fenugreek very helpful for increasing their milk supply although I would recommend that you consult your doctor or health visitor to see if it is safe to take whilst your babies are so small.
To help increase your supply without medication try getting plenty of rest and then expressing when you wake up. Also express regularly, particularly in the early hours of the morning between about 2am and 4am as this is when your prolactin levels are at their highest. This will encourage your body to make more milk.
Try looking at pictures of your babies or holding something belonging to them such as a babygro or blanket to stimulate your let-down reflex.
Most importantly get comfortable and try to relax as it is more difficult to express when you are tense.
For more tips and information have a look at the following articles by Dr Jack Newman:
Cabbage Leaves, Herbs, Lecithin
I hope this helps you! Please let me know how you get on. Wishing you and your babies good luck!
Sinead
