- Try to eat well and drink enough fluids. You need a minimum of 2700 calories each day while you are lactating.
- Nurse frequently, for as long as your baby will nurse. Try to get in a minimum of 8 feedings in 24 hours, and more if possible.
- Offer both breasts at each feeding. Try "switch nursing" - first feed your baby from one breast, then as your baby's sucking slows down, switch to the next breast. Repeat, until you have offered each breast twice. Then let your baby nurse for as long as he wants.
- Try massaging and compressing the breast gently as you nurse. This can help the rich, higher calorie hind milk let down more efficiently.
- Apply a hot (preferably damp) compress to your breasts before nursing.
- Check your positioning to make sure that he is latching on properly. If the areola is not far enough back in his mouth, he may not be able to compress the milk sinuses effectively in order to release the milk.
- Avoid bottles, if possible. You want your baby's sucking needs to be met at the breast. If your baby needs to be supplemented, try to use a cup, syringe, or tube feeding system, especially in the very beginning (babies under 2 weeks old).
- If you want to increase your supply quickly, use a breast pump (preferably a double pump model) to express milk for 5-10 minutes after you nurse your baby, or a least 8 times in 24 hours.
