04/07/2026
Research has found that the most reliable method for increasing milk supply is to stimulate your breasts in order to “trick” your breasts into thinking the demand for milk is higher. Mlik production is greater when the breast is fully drained (Daly, Owens, & Hartmann, 1996). You can drain the breast more frequently through frequent on-demand feeding (Amir, 2006) and/or pumping after each feeding (or as many feedings as you can).
There is also a lot of research that being skin-to-skin with your infant might increase your supply. You can include immediate skin-to-skin care in your birth plan and continue to practice this in the weeks after birth.
There is a lack of high quality studies on Fenugreek and other supplements and most studies provide mixed or unclear results (Foong et al., 2020).
Despite what you might hear, there is NO evidence that extra fluids or oatmeal increase supply. However, there is a lack of high quality research in this area so there is also no evidence that extra fluids and oatmeal have no impact on supply.
Finally, beer or alcohol does not seem to increase milk supply and may actually lower your supply (and even make your baby sleep worse 😱).
What did you find increased your milk supply?? What didn’t work?!?
For more research-backed tips on breastfeeding, check out this free Breastfeeding Guide at parentingtranslator.org/resources.
All information provided by Parenting Translator Foundation — parentingtranslator.org
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