Making Enough Milk for Baby

How your body makes breast milk is based on the principle of supply and demand. 

• Your breasts make breast milk when your baby breastfeeds well. 
• When your baby breastfeeds well, your brain gets the message that your breasts need to make more milk, to replace what your baby is taking.
• The more milk your baby takes from your breasts, the more milk your breasts will make.

Most mothers make enough milk for their baby, and many make enough for twins or more!

To get breastfeeding, and breast milk production off to the best start possible, remember to:

• Breastfeed your baby as soon as possible after birth, ideally within the first hour 
• Hold your baby and breastfeed your baby ‘skin-to-skin’ whenever possible.
• Get breastfeeding support early – take advantage of the opportunity to learn from the healthcare professionals who are caring for you and your new baby.  Nurses, midwives and lactation consultants provide teaching and support to new parents.  Public health nurses help with breastfeeding upon your return home, both by phone and in your home.
• Breastfeed your baby often - about 8-12 times in 24 hours for the first couple of months.
• Learn to recognize your baby’s feeding cues, or, signs of hunger. 
• Be sure that you know how to latch your baby to the breast properly.
• Learn how to recognize that your baby is drinking and swallowing milk.
• Know what signs to look for to ensure your baby is getting enough breast milk.
• Know where to find breastfeeding support in the community before you go home from the hospital.

If your baby is not breastfeeding well, then you may not make as much milk. The keys to making enough breast milk are to breastfeed your baby often, exclusively, and effectively.   You can follow this link for tips to improve breastfeeding.

If you and your health care provider decide that your baby requires supplementary feeding (other than at the breast) see our information on the risks of using infant formula and how to effectively reduce these risks for your baby.  .

For more information, call (705) 721-7520, or click Your Health Connection and speak with a public health nurse.