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“Breastfeeding is a mother’s gift to herself, her baby, and the earth. It is a sacred bond woven with love, nourishment, and the purest form of connection.”
– Pamela K. Wiggins
Hey, mama!
If you’re here, chances are you’re on your breastfeeding journey (or getting ready for it), and I just want to say—you’re doing amazing.
Whether you’re navigating those first few days with a newborn or working on increasing your milk supply, I know how overwhelming it can feel. I’ve been there—googling “how to know if baby is getting enough milk” at 3 AM, questioning every little thing.
The truth is, breastfeeding is a beautiful, natural experience, but it doesn’t always come naturally. It takes patience, practice, and sometimes a whole lot of trial and error. That’s why I’m so excited to share these tried-and-true tips from my lactation consultant and my personal experiences that helped me to establish a strong and healthy milk supply. These tips were a total game-changer for me, and I hope they’ll be just as helpful for you!
You may also find more helpful tips on breastfeeding here:
Establishing and Boosting Your Milk Supply: A Step-by-Step Guide
1️⃣ Feed on One Breast for 30 Minutes, Then Switch
For me, I started by nursing baby on one breast for about 30 minutes. Once he finishs, I would switch immediately to the other breast and nurse for another 30 minutes. This method helps ensure both breasts are fully emptied and stimulated, which in turn tells your body to keep producing milk.
2️⃣ Keep Each Feeding Session Under One Hour
While it might seem like longer feedings = more milk, that’s not always the case. Babies actually burn a lot of energy while sucking, and nursing for too long can tire them out before they get enough milk. Try to keep each session to about one hour max to make sure baby gets enough nourishment without getting too exhausted.
3️⃣ Pump While Nursing
If possible, use a breast pump on the opposite breast while baby is feeding. For example, if baby is latched onto the left breast, pump the right breast at the same time. This trick not only saves time but also increases milk production by telling your body that baby needs more. Plus, you’ll start building a freezer stash for later—win-win!
Need help choosing a pump? I would suggest to check out La Leche League’s guide to breast pumps for tips on selecting the best one for your needs.
4️⃣ Switch and Pump Again
After 30 minutes, flip the routine. If you breastfed on the left side first and pumped the right, now breastfeed on the right and pump the left. This ensures both breasts are being stimulated equally, which helps maintain a balanced milk supply.
5️⃣ Alternate the Starting Breast for Each Feed
For the next feed (about four hours later), start with the opposite breast from the last session. This prevents one side from becoming the dominant producer and helps keep your milk supply even.
6️⃣ Stick to This Routine for a Month
From my personal experiences, consistency is key! It usually takes around a month for your milk supply to fully establish. If you’re trying to increase your milk production, keep following this method. Remember, breastfeeding works on a supply-and-demand system—the more your baby (or pump) removes milk, the more your body will make.
Need more detailed guidance on increasing milk supply? KellyMom’s breastfeeding resources are a fantastic place to start!
7️⃣ Prioritize Your Nutrition
Mama, I know that breastfeeding is HARD work! It’s so important to take care of yourself so you can take care of your little one. I highly recommend to stay hydrated, eat balanced meals, and consider taking a high-quality prenatal/postnatal vitamin. I recommend Elevit capsules to support both you and your baby’s health.
For more nutrition tips, check out The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine’s guidelines on maintaining a healthy diet while nursing.
Bonus Tips for a Smooth Breastfeeding Journey
✨ Watch for hunger cues. Crying is a late sign of hunger. Instead, look for earlier signs like rooting, sucking on hands, or smacking lips.
✨ Get a good latch. A deep latch prevents nipple pain and helps baby get more milk. If you’re struggling, reach out to a lactation consultant. Check out La Leche League’s guide to proper latching for helpful visuals and tips.
✨ Skin-to-skin contact helps. Holding your baby close, even outside of feeding times, encourages milk production and strengthens your bond.
✨ Don’t stress about ounces. It’s easy to compare how much milk you’re producing to others, but every mama’s supply is different. Instead, focus on diaper output and baby’s weight gain as better indicators of success.
✨ Ask for help when you need it. If breastfeeding feels painful or stressful, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Many hospitals, community centers, and online groups offer free lactation support.
You’re Not Alone, Mama!
Breastfeeding can feel like a full-time job in those early days, but I promise—it gets easier. Some days you’ll feel like a milk factory, and other days you’ll wonder if you’re making enough. But trust your body—it was made for this, and you are doing an amazing job.
If you ever need encouragement, advice, or just a place to vent about cluster feeding (because wow, that’s a thing), come join our Healthy Mum and Bub Facebook Group! It’s a safe space where moms support each other through all the ups and downs of motherhood.
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Sending love and strength to all the breastfeeding mamas out there! You got this. ❤️✨
