Tips to Help You Support Breast Milk Supply Naturally

30 Jul 2026

By: Yi TCM Admin

First-time mothers like yourself may be concerned that the baby is not consuming sufficient breast milk. Your body gradually learns to produce sufficient milk for your baby, but milk supply can still fluctuate over time. If you plan to boost your breast milk supply naturally, there are several ways to do so.

What Causes Low Breast Milk Supply?

There may be several reasons your breast milk supply is lower than normal.

Qi and Blood Deficiency/Stagnation

From TCM’s perspective, breast milk is a direct transformation of both Qi and blood, core components needed to nourish the baby in the womb. These are produced by the spleen, which itself requires sufficient nutrition to perform this function. TCM views that a significant loss of blood and Qi during childbirth indicates the spleen’s reserves must be replenished, or it otherwise results in low milk supply.

Blood and Qi are interrelated in TCM’s view: blood nourishes Qi, while Qi moves blood. Anything that disrupts the natural circulation of blood and Qi, especially after the many changes your body goes through during and after pregnancy, prevents milk from being produced naturally.

Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are potential causal factors, as your emotional state can influence blood and Qi circulation and overall organ function. Constant stress or anxiety can strain the spleen and exhaust the heart, which in turn adversely affects liver Qi flow. Since the liver meridian passes through the breast area, interrupted liver Qi circulation can impact your milk supply.

Inadequate Diet

A poor diet and insufficient hydration may also contribute to a low milk supply. TCM believes that adequate nutrition, especially with warm, nourishing foods, and hydration are necessary to restore your strength after the difficult process of childbirth, thereby ensuring a sufficient milk supply. If you do not consume enough calories and fluids, or consume too much of foods high in unhealthy fats or sugars, it may negatively affect milk production.

Health Conditions

Illnesses can also affect your overall milk supply by affecting specific structures or organs responsible for milk production.

How to Increase Breast Milk Supply Naturally

The good news is that there are various ways you can try to naturally increase your breast milk supply.

Breastfeed Often

Your breast milk supply operates on simple supply-and-demand: the more milk your baby drinks, the more milk you will produce. The best advice to increase your milk supply is to breastfeed as often as possible. Breastfeed your baby whenever they are hungry, rather than following a fixed schedule. In the early weeks, your baby may feed around 8–12 times a day, so follow their cues and ensure they feed as frequently as possible.

Some babies may benefit from feeding from one breast to increase the milk’s fat content, while others may feed from both to increase milk supply. If you feed them from both breasts, make sure they finish feeding on one before moving on to the next. It may also help to massage each breast gently before and during feedings, as gentle compression can quickly drain the breast.

Avoid starting your baby on a bottle or using pacifiers during this time, unless otherwise advised by a healthcare professional. Continue to breastfeed them as often as possible in the early weeks to improve breast milk supply, based on your doctor’s recommendations.

Maintain Skinship

Having some skin-to-skin contact with your baby can also benefit your breast milk supply. Doing so releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps manage and regulate lactation in women. These hormones cause contractions in the alveolar ducts of your breasts, allowing milk to flow through the breast tissue to reach your baby as they suckle.

Enjoy about 20 minutes of skin-to-skin time after feeds, allowing you and your baby to bond and familiarise them with your scent. It also encourages them to root, lick, and taste, then latch onto you to feed properly, which makes them feel calmer, more comfortable, and safe in your care.

Ensure a Good Latch

If your baby is positioned well and properly latched onto your breast, they will be able to feed without issues. To ensure a good latch, try the following steps:

Slowly tickle your baby’s lips with your nipple so that they open their mouth wide.
Position your nipple just above your baby’s top lip, while preventing their chin from tucking into their chest.
Keep your baby’s lower lip away from the base of your nipple. Their lips should also be turned outward like a fish.
Lead your baby towards your breast, chin first, then allow them to latch onto your breast. Their tongue should remain extended as your breast fills your baby’s mouth.
If your baby latches to the tip of your nipple or if latching hurts, gently place a clean finger in your baby’s mouth to break the latch, then repeat from step 1.

A good latch should be comfortable for you and your baby and pain-free once they latch on. Ensure your baby’s chest and stomach are resting against your body, with their head kept straight and not sideways.

Pump/Express Milk Frequently

Pumping or expressing milk frequently between nursing sessions, even while away from your baby, can gradually increase your milk supply. It may help to empty your breasts at each feeding by hand-expressing or pumping after feeding, drawing out any remaining milk to signal your body to produce more. As milk is frequently and effectively removed from the breasts, specific hormones are stimulated to increase production and ensure a normal milk supply.

Enjoy a Balanced Diet

TCM views that regular, balanced meals allow your body to maintain sufficient energy to produce milk for your baby, while also supporting your recovery from childbirth. You do not need to follow a fixed diet, but it helps to include more nourishing foods, such as protein, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables. A TCM physician can also prescribe herbal remedies to further support your well-being and improve breast milk supply.

From TCM’s perspective, it helps to avoid certain foods or beverages, such as those containing alcohol (beer and wine), caffeine (coffee and some teas), or mercury (certain seafoods). Consult a nutritionist or TCM physician to determine what your body needs to support your recovery.

Rest & Relaxation

Sleep for at least 8 hours each day and take time for light activities you enjoy, such as journaling, painting, or playing board games. A good night’s rest may also support your wellness and breast milk supply. It may also help to nap whenever your baby naps, let family members help with baby care, and make time for yourself instead of doing chores to keep stress away.

TCM Approaches to Boost Breast Milk Supply

TCM may also help boost your breast milk supply through various holistic approaches.

Herbal Remedies

A TCM physician can prescribe specific herbal formulations based on your overall health, nutritional needs, and other considerations. Only a qualified TCM physician should prescribe the appropriate herbs for your needs, as some herbs may cause contraindications that could adversely affect your milk supply or production. For example, herbs such as dang gui or huang qi may be prescribed to tonify blood and Qi in your body.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is based on TCM principles to treat blood and Qi deficiencies that cause low milk supply. It involves inserting small, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points (acupoints) to relieve blockages or disruptions that affect normal blood and Qi circulation. These acupoints lie along the body’s meridians, which TCM views as pathways that direct Qi throughout the body to maintain well-being. For example, Shanzhong (REN 17) may be targeted to regulate Qi, which may promote lactation, while Rugen (ST 18) may stimulate breast milk flow.

Acupuncture may be performed alongside other TCM or conventional medical treatments to support your overall recovery and ensure your baby is sufficiently nourished with milk.

If you are looking for TCM treatments to support your confinement or postpartum care, or if you are interested in TCM for your general well-being, Yi TCM is here to help. Contact us today to find out more about our available TCM treatments, including TCM for women’s fertility.