I thought it will be good to post for all who are breastfeeding.  Here is my enhancement to my tip#2 with images - What Foods to Boost Breastmilk Supply.

Also, on drinking fluids, do take into account in the cups of oats and papaya milkshakes you took. All these to add up not more than 8 cups of water, unless you are thirsty.  Cos too much water will do no good to production of breastmilk, may even reduce supply. 

- end

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As I mentioned earlier in my part 2 tips, Stress is one of the major contributors of decrease in supply.  Let me expand further:

1) Stress – major contributor in drop in supply

2) Irregular pumping times – major contributor as well, especially when you missed and skip it altogether

3) Ate food that causes decrease e.g. cabbage – covered this in my part 1 tips

4) Tiredness – when you are tired, breastmilk supply suffers a drop too

5) Lack of support from husband, family etc. – VERY important, 99% of first time mums I knew quit breastfeeding as early as a few days from birth of baby due to lack of support from their husbands and family.

6) Got the wrong breast pump. Some mothers find manual pumps work better than electric ones and vice versa.

7) Each pump duration should be at least 20 mins to 30 mins.  If less than that, do try to keep on pumping else you will see a drop in the next pump.

Ways to maintain milk supply at work

a) Find out in advance where you can pump at work, and if there is a room you can do so, find out if there is any power supply, so that you know which pump to buy/bring.  

b) Keep to your own Pump Schedule

      i) If you know when baby needs to be fed, say, before noon time, try to pump at that time in office.

     ii) If baby needs to be fed 4 times for the whole duration of travelling + work time, you won’t be able to pump 4 times right? You can collapse into 2 pumps. (Be prepared for slight decrease in supply) Try to pump at a time when you see less interruption at work, if possible.  

c) Do eat some of the “breastmilk boost” food/fruit at least once a day, if you see a drop in supply.

d) If you find yourself so stressed that milk ain’t coming out, relax yourself, think of your cutie, sing a song, or look at your cutie’s pictures in your mobile phone.

e) If you have another colleague that you are close to and are also breastfeeding, why not ask her if able to pump together? Talking to each other during pumps helps both of you to relax, most of time you both will chatting away talking about your cuties.

Above mentioned ways of maintaining milk supply at work are all my own experiences.  I have tried all of them and personally, although I hate to admit, the size of the breast does matter which it comes to pumping effectively.  I will not elaborate further on this unless requested.  :)

Talk about workplace pumping, it brings back memorable memories, as I have been able to find other mummies who breastfed their babies at workplace and we sort of supported each other whenever we needed help, be it babies, or milk supply or just be a listening ear.  Its sad that subsequently we all got separated with different office locations and resignations etc.  But the memory stays in our hearts.

- Sweetietots

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Today I am going to share on my breastfeeding tips on what is good for boosting milk supply.  Its very easy to see a drop in milk supply, with our current stressful pace of life in Singapore, its easily understandable as I have been working for the past 10 years of my life.

Does drinking milk help?

Seriously, I do not see an increase of milk supply when I drink milk. However, if you feel that your daily diet’s not healthy enough for baby, do feel free to get those milk powders for lactating mums, do note, if you belong to the category of mums who get heaty easily like me, try to drink it with more water (mix) rather than follow the instructions.  For drinking lots of fluids is good.  Guideline: 8 cups of water a day.

Eat Papaya.

Eat a slice of papaya one hour before or after lunch is good for your stomach as well as boost a bit of the milk supply.

Eat Fishes, Cod Fish is best.

Of many many fishes I took, the cod fish is the best in boosting supply.  The price tag is also one of the best… (its pricey).  Basically, white variety fishes work better than red ones.

Drink Papaya Soup with Fish Tail (Cod Fish works Best)

If you are in serious need to boost milk supply, say by at least 50%, boil fish tail with half-ripe papaya, you can also add some wolfberries, ginseng and ginger. 

Oats are Good

If you like cereals, good, for oats boost milk supply too, and more importantly, its nutritious for you and baby too.  Oats that are sticky works best.  My personal preference is Quaker Oats, those instant type but you need to add sugar or condensed milk to it.

Nutritious Soups during confinement works well too

Drink plenty of nutritious soups, if your body constitution are able to handle them without getting too heaty.  I get heaty easily, so I eat more oats rather than drink nutritious soups.

Drink a cup of warm water before feed

This works for me.  For warm water helps with the milk flow, and you may get more let-downs as well.

Once again, do eat in moderation, you cannot be drinking the papaya soup with fish tail everyday, else the milk gets too much, you may get engorged and milk may go to waste.  I also feel that 2 cups of oats a day is good enough to maintain or give it a little bit more boost.  

Babies can taste the flavours in what mothers eat, if you are adventurous enough, try tasting your breastmilk, you may be able to know why sometimes babies smack their lips after drinking or sometimes reject the milk…  Enjoy!

- SweetieTots

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Do note that foods mentioned here are on Mummies’ Breastfeeding Diet, not to be mistaken that its to be fed directly to baby.

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