How to make breastmilk fattier

How to Make Breastmilk Fattier? 8 Easy Methods for Worried Moms

Ensuring that our babies get the proper nutrition should be at the top of our list of priorities.

Since breasts don’t come equipped with gauges telling us how much a baby has eaten (although that would probably be rather convenient), breastfeeding mothers often struggle with doubt.

They worry that their babies aren’t getting enough to eat and that their breast milk isn’t nutritious enough, sometimes prompting the question of ‘how to make breastmilk fattier?‘.

With thoughts about how long your breastmilk is good for aside, looking at your milk content after pumping can also increase your worries at times. Because breast milk begins to separate after sitting for a while – with the fattier hindmilk rising to the top and the watery foremilk settling to the bottom of the container – the ratio you are left with may not be exactly to your liking.

If you are worried that you do not have enough fat in your milk, you can rest assured knowing that increasing the fat content of your breast milk can be easily done.

Why is Breast Milk Fat So Important for Babies?

​Babies grow at a tremendous rate, often tripling their birth weight and growing nearly 10 inches by their first birthday!

In order to support this rate of growth, their bodies need calories (or energy), and these are found in the fat content of breast milk.

Not only are fats necessary for physical growth, but they also play an essential role in proper brain, eye, and nervous system development. 60% of the brain and area surrounding the nerves are composed of fat.

Babies need fats in order to grow healthily, and your breast milk is a good source of fats for them. - How to Make Breastmilk Fattier | Baby Journey
Babies need fats in order to grow healthily, and your breast milk is a good source of fats for them.

Average Calorie & Fat Content of Human Milk

To understand how to make breastmilk fattier, you need to first know a little bit about human milk. On average, breast milk contains about 22 kcal and 1.2 grams of fat per ounce. Out of all the nutrients found in breast milk, including proteins and vitamins, fats make up about 3-5%.

However, these numbers fluctuate regularly throughout the day. The variations are caused by increasing or decreasing fat levels, caused by the fullness of the breast, and can even be dependent on a baby’s age.

 Fat content can vary between feedings. - How to Make Breastmilk Fattier | Baby Journey
Fat content can vary between feedings. Source: Joyful Abode

​What Affects the Amount of Fat and Calories in a Mother’s Milk? 

Contrary to popular belief, a mother’s diet does not usually have an effect on the amount of fat present in breast milk (unless she is malnourished).

However, her diet choices can change the type – saturated, trans, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated –  of dietary fats that are present in her milk. One type often increases when there is a decrease in another.

Obviously, not all dietary fats are healthy, so you do want to focus on a diet that increases the healthy type of fat in your breast milk (which we will talk more about later on how to make breastmilk fattier).

The fullness of the breast can also make a difference with the amount of fat in your milk during a feeding session.

At the start of a feeding, when the breast is engorged, the first thing your baby gets is the thin foremilk. By the end of the feeding, when your breast is just about empty, the thick, nutrient-rich hindmilk begins flowing.

This doesn’t mean there is no fat in the foremilk, but there is far less present than there is in hindmilk.

In addition, a longer interval between feedings means less fat content at the start of the next feeding, since fat adheres to milk ducts and more foremilk has had the chance to build up between feedings.

How to Know If You Need To Make Your Breast Milk Fattier?

Before you go ahead to increase fat in your breastmilk, you will probably wonder about the signs that indicate your breast milk doesn’t have enough fat or isn’t nutritious enough for your breastfeeding baby. A major tell-tale sign would be your baby isn’t gaining weight as expected despite the frequent feeding sessions.

Another sign would be baby having weight loss – while it is normal to see your child losing weight in the first week after birth, your baby should be regaining weight through breastmilk consumption. If you notice this, check with your pediatrician.

Your baby could also show signs of hypothermia, whereby he or she loses body heat quickly due to the lack of fats in the body to maintain and regulate the body temperature normally. They will easily feel cold, and if you have been a breastfeeding mother from the start, this could be a sign that you need to increase fat in your breast milk to pass it down to your little one.

How to Make Breastmilk Fattier? 8 Ways to Increase the Fat Content of Your Breast Milk

After finding that fat plays such a critical role in the development of our little ones, we decided to put together a list of how to make breastmilk fattier – just eight simple things that can be done to increase the fat content of your breast milk.

Our hope is that these will decrease doubts among breastfeeding moms about their baby getting all the nutrients that they need to grow and thrive.

1. Eat More Healthy Fats

The amount of fat in your breast milk is not as important as the type.

Unsaturated fats (healthy fats), such as those found in nuts, salmon, avocados, seeds, eggs, and olive oil, are important for both yours and your baby’s diet.

I am not suggesting that you need to follow a strict diet to make your breast milk fattier if you are breastfeeding.

However, whatever you eat, your baby will eat in some form. Focus on working more fat intake of unsaturated fats into your diet and limiting saturated fats and trans fats as you increase fat in your breastmilk.

An occasional splurge is fine, though. Don’t be afraid to go ahead and enjoy that bacon cheeseburger…with pimento cheese…and sweet potato fries…and the milkshake.

You deserve it, mama.

Check out this awesome breast milk booster recipe by Project Simplicity.

2. ​Drain the Breast

Give your baby enough time to drain the breast. - How to Make Breastmilk Fattier | Baby Journey
Give your baby enough time to drain the breast. Source: Wikimedia

Many women believe that they need to feed from both sides at each feeding. This is not always the case.

As milk is produced, fat globules in the milk stick to each other and to the walls of alveoli, the structures where milk is produced (often referred to as milk ducts).

The milk gradually moves toward the nipple as the breasts fill, bringing the thin watery stuff forward while leaving the denser and fattier hindmilk behind (because it’s sticking to the walls of the ducts).

Switching baby from breast to breast while they are still actively sucking means that they aren’t getting enough time to reach the fattier breast milk that helps them pack on the pounds.

Wait until they are done emptying one breast, and if they are still hungry, switch to the other.

3. ​Start Pumping

Being a mother is a hard job, and one of the perks of breastfeeding is not having to worry about washing baby bottles.

However, but if you’re interested in increasing the fattiness of your milk, a good breast pump can help.

As previously mentioned, a relatively empty breast contains higher fatty milk.

Pumping before nursing allows you to empty your breast of some of that foremilk so that baby doesn’t get full before getting to the fatty stuff.

Some of the best breast pumps in the market include the Spectra S1, Medela Harmony manual breast pump and the discreet Willow portable wearable breast pump, but check with your insurance provider first, as many will provide mothers with a breast pump, free of charge.​

And if you are concerned about storing up your nutrient-rich liquid gold and warming it up for later feeding, there’s always the breastmilk storage pouch and bottle warmer to your aid.

Spectra - S1 Plus Electric Breast Milk Pump for Baby Feeding - Convenient Breast Feeding Support
  • Breastfeeding Essentials: Spectra S1 portable breast pump features comfortable suction pump levels that mimic natural breastfeeding as closely as possible
  • Travel Baby Supplies: Portable and rechargeable electric breast pump with a compartment for a Spectra bottle; essential baby feeding supplies for on-the-go moms
  • Single or Double Pumping: Use as a single electric breast pump or a double electric breast pump; for best results, use Spectra baby accessories
SALE
Willow 3.0 Wearable Breast Pump, Double Electric Breast Pump, Cordless, Hands Free Breast Pump with 9 Levels of Smart, Hospital Grade Suction Strength, 100% Leak Proof & Fits Fully In Bra, 24mm Flange
1,973 Reviews
Willow 3.0 Wearable Breast Pump, Double Electric Breast Pump, Cordless, Hands Free Breast Pump with 9 Levels of Smart, Hospital Grade Suction Strength, 100% Leak Proof & Fits Fully In Bra, 24mm Flange
  • PUMP IN ANY POSITION: Designed with a 100% leak-proof latch, Willow 3.0 Wearable Breast Pump works whether you're running a meeting, running after your toddler or running a marathon. Enjoy 360 degrees of mobility with our hands-free double pump.
  • HOSPITAL-GRADE SUCTION STRENGTH, CONTINUOUS LATCH: Our portable breast pump delivers hospital-grade suction strength and optimal output. Patented Continuous Latch technology and spill-proof milk bags enable a full range of motion without leaking.
  • SMALL, POWERFUL AND MOBILE: Willow 3.0 is the only wearable breast pump that makes it possible to pump into milk bags or reusable containers, offering the ultimate flexibility for moms on the go. Rechargeable battery lasts up to 5 pumping sessions.

4. Nurse frequently.

Shorten time between nursing sessions to keep hindmilk at the front.- How to Make Breastmilk Fattier | Baby Journey
Shorten time between nursing sessions to keep hindmilk at the front. Source: Magikmouse

Think about when you turn on a faucet in your house.

At first, the water comes out cold and then gradually gets warmer and warmer until it is hot.

If you come back a minute later and turn the faucet on again, it will still be relatively warm.

However, if you come back an hour later, the water will be cold, and you will have to wait for it to warm up again.

Your breasts work in a similar way.

When the baby first latches on, the relatively low-fat foremilk is released. Little by little the milk becomes fattier and fattier as the hindmilk is pulled down from the ducts.

With frequent feeding, the milk doesn’t have time to “get cold.” There is lower volume of the foremilk that has less fat content for your baby to go through before they get to the good stuff from more hind milk that is the relatively fattier milk.

However, it’s important to understand that foremilk does not necessarily have low fat all the time – this is highly dependent on the duration of time that has passed from the previous feeding session, just like the tap water analogy.

In other words, the less time in between feedings, the higher the fat content at the beginning of that particular feeding – that’s how to make breastmilk fattier.

5. ​Breast Compressions

Massage and breast compression can help optimize milk flow. - How to Make Breastmilk Fattier | Baby Journey
Massage and breast compression can help optimize milk flow. Source: Breastfeeding.Support

It’s exactly what it sounds like—compress your breast while the baby is suckling to stimulate the milk ejection reflex.

Think of what it looks like ​to milk a cow. Yes, it’s a little weird to think of yourself that way, but essentially it’s the same thing.

Encircle your breast with one hand, and squeeze in a way that seems like you are pushing the milk toward the nipple. This should be a repeated action throughout the feeding.

Your baby should feel the milk release each time and continue drinking.

WIth this concept in mind, you can also do breast massage to prepare your breasts for the next feeding, which is a great way on how to make breastmilk fattier. Not only will this help to release the fatty hindmilk, but it can also prevent blocked ducts and painful mastitis.

6. Add More Protein to Your Diet

Protein is an essential component in breast milk, but what does it have to do with fat content?

Consuming more protein can help increase your milk supply overall, which means more milk and fat for your baby. This is helpful on how to make breastmilk fattier.

Lean meats, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, and seeds are the best dietary sources of protein.

However, if you are a vegetarian or you do not get enough protein intake from your food alone, consider adding a protein supplement (powder for shakes) to your diet, such as the Boobie Body Plant-Based Protein Shake or Ora Organics Vegan Protein Powder.

Boobie Body Organic Superfood Plant-Based Protein Shake, Chocolate Bliss, [23.4oz, 1 Tub] (Package May Vary)
  • Boobie's #1 breastfeeding bar brand now offers daily nutrition on the go-complete superfood Protein Blend is sourced from organic pea, sacha inchi, organic chia, Organic and flax seeds and provides a vegan, Dairy Free, and Paleo-Friendly complete amino acid profile
  • Organic, Gluten Free, Keto Friendly, Vegan, Dairy Free, 19g protein, 1 net carb, 0 sugar
  • COMPLETE MEAL REPLACEMENT IN SECONDS - Look mama, we know you are busy. That's why we pack Boobie Body full of protein, fiber, and pre and probiotics to give you a full meal replacement on-the-go
Ora Organic Protein Powder - 21g Plant-Based Protein for Women and Men Pre-Workout Vanilla Flavor, 20 Servings, Clean Protein Source, Low Net Carbs, Keto-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free
  • USDA Organic & Complete Amino Acid Profile Plant-based Protein Powder: We blend a variety of protein sources to ensure a balanced and complete amino acid profile for optimal lean muscle building. It includes 21 grams of protein and 3 grams of net carbs, all the while being completely vegan. We include 19 superfoods for added micronutrients and all essential amino acids to ensure you get the most out of your post-workout routine.
  • No Erythritol & Safe for Pregnant Mothers: No added sugars and no sugar alcohols. We use stevia and monk fruit extracts that are made purely from stevia leaf and monk fruit, with no erythritol added. Better yet, our product is pregnancy safe and great for people of all ages and walks of life whether that be toddlers, children, teens, adults, or seniors looking for protein.
  • Award Winning Taste & Texture: Our protein blends easily and come in flavors that are delicious on their own or effortlessly complement many food recipes and smoothies. Kids protein friendly - parents like to add a banana, one scoop of nut butter (peanut or almond typically), along with 1.5 cups of plant based milk for a delicious, nutritious smoothie.

7. Take Supplements

Certain supplements can help increase breast milk supply, and there are some that can potentially increase the fat content.

One in particularly that moms seem to swear by is Sunflower Lecithin.

It is usually used by mothers who experience frequently blocked ducts and cannot find relief with compression or massage.

This supplement works by decreasing the viscosity, or stickiness, of breast milk by mixing the fatty parts of breast milk with the watery parts, essentially making it more “slippery.”

It is believed that this could also help your baby get more fat-rich hindmilk quickly at the beginning of a feeding, which increases the percentage of fatty acids present.

SALE
Sunflower Lecithin 1200 mg Soy-Free, Non-GMO - 200 Softgels
17,517 Reviews
Sunflower Lecithin 1200 mg Soy-Free, Non-GMO - 200 Softgels
  • NERVOUS SYSTEM SUPPORT*: NOW Sunflower Lecithin naturally abounds in phosphatidyl inositol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, and essential fatty acids.
  • SOY-FREE AND NON-GMO: Sunflower lecithin has phosphatidyl choline, the most abundant phospholipid in the cell membrane, where it plays a key role in cellular signaling and synaptic function.*
  • CERTIFICATIONS/CLASSIFICATIONS: Soy Free, Non-GMO, Made w/o Gluten, Corn Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Kosher

8. Separate Milk

Separating your milk can help increase your baby’s caloric intake. - How to Make Breastmilk Fattier | Baby Journey
Separating your milk can help increase your baby’s caloric intake. Source: Funny-Shaped Mom

With all this talk of foremilk and hindmilk, you may already be thinking about how to get your baby more of the fattening goodness.

If you are pumping either exclusively or on occasion, you can do this by separating your milk as you pump.

According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, it is very easy to do.

Start pumping like normal, and after about two minutes, when the milk begins to flow steadily turn the pump off and dump this milk into an empty container. This is the foremilk, and should be about ⅓ of the usual amount you pump.

You can then continue pumping until your breasts are drained.

When you compare the milk containers side by side, you should be able to see an obvious difference between the consistencies.

You can then bottle feed your baby more hindmilk to help boost their growth when necessary (Tip: go for bottles that reduce gas if you have a gassy baby in the house though).

​Breast milk isn’t called liquid gold for nothing! There are benefits galore with breastfeeding your little one.

To learn more about the benefits of mothers’ milk, check out video below:

To Sum It All Up

These eight simple steps are meant to help you increase the fattiness of your breast milk and ensure that your baby is getting all the nutrition that they need.

It’s important to remember that the most fatty milk is expelled from the breast when it is near empty, so be sure to pump or nurse often and let your little one finish one breast before moving to the other.

Breast is best, and some breast milk is better than none. Don’t be discouraged by any blips or hiccups you may experience on your journey. It happens!

Just go with the flow; you and your little one will be grateful you did.

We’d love to hear about your breastfeeding journey, so please feel free to submit your questions and comments below.

How to make breastmilk fattier? | Baby Journey

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

7 thoughts on “How to Make Breastmilk Fattier? 8 Easy Methods for Worried Moms”

  1. Am a first mom and my little girl is 6weeks old weigh 4.6kgs but the doctor told me she is under weight what should I do?

    1. Hi Violet, congrats on your first baby girl! Perhaps you could get a second opinion from another doctor or pediatrician?

  2. I exclusively hand express and bottle feed my baby, Coz I feel that baby isn’t sucking well and not getting to the hindmilk. I’m so worried, I feel I’m doing everything wrong

    1. Hi Sindhu, to my knowledge, it’s not clinically proven but sunflower seeds are one of the recommended seeds for breastfeeding moms due to the high amount of Omega-6.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *