Here are some suggestions to increase milk supply:

Encourage your baby to breastfeed frequently and for as long as he will.

Offer both breasts at each feeding. Allow baby to stay at the first breast as long as he is actively sucking and swallowing. Offer the second breast when baby slows down or stops. “Finish the first breast first,” is a good general rule. (This technique gives baby lots of the fatty “hindmilk.”)

Baby should end the feeding. He may do this by falling asleep and detaching from the breast after about 10 to 30 minutes of active sucking and swallowing.

Be sure baby is latched on and positioned correctly at the breast, that is, lips should be on the areola (the darker skin area), well behind the nipple. Breastfeeding isn’t supposed to hurt.

A sleepy baby may benefit from “switch nursing” that is, switching breasts two or three times during each feeding. Switch breasts when baby’s sucking slows down and he swallows less often.

All of baby’s sucking should be at the breast. Limit or stop pacifier use while encouraging baby to nurse more effectively. If you are supplementing, even temporarily, you can give the supplement by spoon, cup, or with a nursing supplementer.