Expert: ruth kraft - 1/15/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have been nursing my baby for about 6 months and supplementing her with formula. During the holidays and traveling I slowed down with pumping and now that I've started again my left breast is only producing 1/2 ounce and my right one is producing 5 ounces! What can I do to make my left breast produce more milk???? I need more milk for my baby and I am desperate!

ANSWER: you can increase your fiber intake as well as pump more frequently on the side that doesnt have that much milk. The more you pump and nurse, the more milk you will make on that side.

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QUESTION: What does fiber have to do with increasing my milk supply? I am pumping the same amounts on both sides but the left side is still making less milk? Why?

Answer
Not sure why fiber helps increase milk. Sounds funny I know. But anytime you increase gastric motility, milk increases as well.

It is common for milk to be less on one side in every woman. usually not by a dramatic amount like 5 ounces and only a half. it is typical that one makes 5 and the other makes 3. The best way to increase on that one side is pump that one side more frequently.