While the first six weeks are the most important time for establishing your supply, many mothers panic about whether they are making enough for around three months. You may feel that your body is supposed to increase supply continually as your baby ages, or you may panic as your previously strong supply seems to drop.
Whether or not you need to increase supply at three months – the good news is – No, it’s not too late to boost your milk supply at three months postpartum. Your body still responds to demand, so with the right approach, you may be able to increase production.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Aim for 8-12 feeding or pumping sessions daily
- Try power pumping to boost supply by 15-30% in a week
- Use skin-to-skin contact and breast compressions during feeds
- Watch out for supply killers like estrogen-based birth control and dehydration
Key signs your supply is on track:
- 6-8 wet diapers per day
- 4-7 ounces of weight gain per week
- 8-12 feeding sessions daily (may vary depending on the baby)
Still worried? Don’t fret, a lactation consultant from our team can create a personalized plan for you – so please don’t hesitate to book a consultation via our site! We work with many US insurances and offer package and self-pay rates (including discounted rates with our fantastic student lactation consultants!)
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How Milk Supply Changes at 3 Months
At the 3-month mark, your milk supply tends to regulate to what your baby’s current needs are. It’s no longer just hormone-driven and your prolactin receptors have been established – at this point, it’s started to what your baby needs. This shift can make some moms worry, but it’s actually a good thing. For most moms, the goal is to produce just enough for their baby’s needs, and this usually happens around the three-month mark.
Many mothers produce more in the beginning as their bodies determine how much is needed, which is why you often see mothers panicking when they suddenly see a decrease after their body (based on demand) decides what the amount is.
Around three months, many mothers go back to work . This can introduce more stress, a rapid change in feeding and pumping habits, and issues that weren’t previously resolved with the breast pump can all lead to a decrease in supply as well.
Signs Your Milk Supply Has Regulated
You might notice your breasts feeling less full or “leaky” now. Don’t panic! Your body’s just gotten better at making exactly what your baby needs. Here’s what’s going on:
- Your hormones are settling down
- Your baby’s gotten better at nursing and driving your supply
- Going back to work can mess with your feeding schedule
How to Tell If Supply Is Low
Worried about your milk supply? Many moms think their supply is low when it’s fine, especially around three months. With that said, there are situations where supply may truly be low or drop below where it should be. Here’s how to spot real supply issues:
Signs to Watch For
Weight gain is an important vital sign to monitor for an infant’s well-being. It’s not as important where your baby is on its growth curve as it is growing consistently.
| Sign | Normal Range | When to Worry |
| Wet Diapers | 6-8 per day | Less than 6 daily |
| Weight Gain | 4-7 oz weekly | Less than 4 oz weekly |
| Feeding Sessions | 8-12 daily | Fewer than 8 daily |
Watch your baby during feeds. A happy baby usually:
- Swallows loudly while nursing
- Looks content after feeding
- Has regular wet diapers
- Gains weight steadily
Red Flags:
- Baby seems ALWAYS hungry, even after feeding
- Fewer than 6 wet diapers in 24 hours
- Poor weight gain or weight loss
- Fussy and unsatisfied after most feeds
Don’t confuse growth spurts with low supply. During these times, your baby might feed more often—it’s normal and won’t last. Your body will catch up.
Heads up: Check your baby’s latch. A bad latch can look like low supply because your baby isn’t getting enough milk, even if you’re making plenty. Hear clicking or see dimpled cheeks while nursing? Get help with positioning.
Adding formula without fixing the real problem can actually decrease your supply. Instead, focus on getting the milk out well through good latching and feeding often.
See these warning signs? Don’t wait – talk to a lactation consultant. Getting help early makes a big difference in keeping your supply up. Our team would LOVE to help you!
Ways to Boost Your Supply After Three Months
Whether your supply has truly dropped or you are just trying to increase supply for another reason (for instance, you’re leaving baby behind while you go on at trip), you are probably reading this article because you want to increase your supply. I strongly recommend working with a lactation consultant to come up with a plan specific to your needs (or checking out Fuss-Free Milk Supply), but here are some of the basics.
Best Times of Day to Increase Supply
Good news, your body can still ramp up milk production after 3 months, especially when you set the stage for good milk supply production. Here’s what you need to know:
| Time of Day | How Your Body Responds |
| Morning | Best time for milk production due to prolactin being higher |
| Afternoon | Decent response to stimulation |
| Evening | Might need extra effort |
Aim for 8-12 feeding or pumping sessions in 24 hours. Skin-to-skin contact is still a great trick – it triggers those milk-making hormones. Adding in a power pumping session may also prove to be beneficial.
Heads up: If you’re on birth control, watch out for pills with estrogen. They can mess with your milk supply. Perhaps talk to your doctor about progestin-only options.
Pro tip: Try breast compressions when feeding. They help empty your breasts completely and tell your body to make more milk. Remember, your body CAN still increase production—it just needs the right signals.
Feeding and Pumping Tips
Power pumping is your milk-boosting secret weapon. Here’s how to do it:
1. Set aside an hour
2. Pump both breasts for 10 minutes
3. Rest for 10 minutes
4. Pump again for 10 minutes
5. Rest for another 10 minutes
6. Final 10-minute pump
While nursing or pumping, use breast compressions. Gently massage from the outer breast towards the nipple. This helps drain your breasts completely.
“The most important thing to do to increase milk supply is to remove more milk from your breasts.” – La Leche League GB.
For best results, empty your breasts 8-12 times daily. This tells your body to make more milk. Try adding an extra pumping session in the morning when prolactin levels are highest.
Double Pumping and Skin Contact
Double pumping isn’t just faster – it’s better. Studies show that moms who pump both breasts at once get up to 18% more milk than those who pump only one breast. Plus, the milk has more fat.
Make skin-to-skin a priority. Even 15-20 minutes triggers milk-making hormones. Try it:
- During feeds
- After baths
- While relaxing in the evening
Watch out for supply killers:
- Birth Control
- Menstrual Cycle
- Pregnancy
- Stress
Need more help? The Breastfeeding Mama offers virtual lactation consultations for a personalized supply-boosting plan. We also have online courses covering advanced pumping techniques and optimizing your milk supply.
Diet and Daily Habits That Help
Your everyday routine can make a big difference with your supply, even three months in. Let’s explore some game-changing habits.
Hydration is key. Your milk is mostly water, so keep an eye on your pee color. Clear or pale yellow? You’re on track. Here’s a trick: sip water while your baby nurses. You should also incorporate high-quality electrolytes – these may improve your overall milk supply.
Protein is your milk-making ally. Load up on lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts, and iron-rich foods like spinach. With all your meals and snacks, try and get protein, fiber, and fat and a fex complex carbs in as well.
Having trouble with meal planning? Be sure to check out our 28-day Breastfeeding Meal Plan. It’s designed specifically for breastfeeding moms to help support your supply.
Let’s break down what helps (and hurts) your supply:
| Habit | Impact on Supply | Easy Fix |
| Dehydration | Decreases milk volume | Drink to thirst and a little more – add in electrolytes |
| Skipping meals | Reduces energy for production | Keep healthy snacks nearby |
| Poor sleep | Lowers prolactin levels | Rest when baby sleeps |
| Stress | Inhibits let-down reflex | Try deep breathing during feeds |
Stress is a sneaky supply killer. It holds back oxytocin, the milk-releasing hormone. Try these tricks: deep breaths during letdown, gentle music while feeding, a warm compress before nursing, or quick shoulder rolls to release tension.
Watch out for supply saboteurs like smoking which can tank your milk production by up to 30%. Even one alcoholic drink can mess with your letdown reflex for 2-3 hours.
Here’s another pro tip: Pack protein-rich snacks for those middle-of-night feeds. Your body’s milk-making machine is in overdrive between 1-5 AM, so fuel up when needed.
Remember those skin-to-skin sessions? They work even better after a warm shower or bath. The heat helps trigger letdown, while the contact boosts your prolactin.
Need a quick supply boost? Try oatmeal for breakfast. Many moms report seeing results. Throw in some almonds or flaxseed for extra oomph. Here are some other galactagogues you can consider – though remember, without appropriate stimulation, these aren’t going to help.
Where to Get Help
Struggling with milk supply? Don’t worry. You’ve got options.
Your first move? Talk to a Interenational Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Experts can spot supply issues and create a plan just for you.
Here’s a quick look at your support options:
| Support Type | What You Get | When to Use It |
| Lactation Consultant | One-on-one help, custom plans | Supply worries, latch problems |
| Local Health Nurse | Basic support, referrals | Regular check-ups, general advice |
| La Leche League | Group support, mom-to-mom advice | Community, shared experiences |
| GP/Midwife | Medical oversight, medication advice | Health issues, prescriptions |
The Australian Breastfeeding Association says:
“Professional support in the early stages of supply concerns can prevent long-term breastfeeding challenges.”
How The Breastfeeding Mama Can Help You
Facing supply issues at 3 months? I’ve got your back. I can offer you:
- Virtual one-on-one lactation support
- Online supply management courses
- Digital tools for tracking feeds and pumping
- 28-Day Breastfeeding Meal Plan
Before I sign off this blog post, let me leave you with some handy quick reference charts to hopefully help allay some of the common anxieties that can creep in with moms who experience supply problems around the 3-month mark.
Quick Reference Charts
Supply Worries vs. Facts
Let’s bust some myths about milk supply at 3 months:
| Worry | The Truth | What You Can Do |
| Soft breasts | Your body’s just more efficient now | Stick to your feeding routine |
| Baby’s eating more | Probably a growth spurt | Feed when baby’s hungry, 8-12 times a day |
| Less milk when pumping | Normal if your schedule’s changed | Try power pumping, especially in the morning |
| No more leaks | Your supply’s regulating | Don’t sweat it |
| Baby seems hungry | Could be developmental | Check weight gain and diaper count |
Of course, always reach out to a professional with any concerns. Mama instincts trump all!
Boosting Your Supply
Here’s what works and how fast:
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