Are you a breastfeeding mother struggling to produce enough milk for your little one? Have you been told that triple feeding can help? Keep reading to find out.
Triple feeding is becoming increasingly popular among mothers, and is known to be an effective way to boost milk supply and help babies gain weight faster.
What is Triple Feeding?
Triple feeding involves breastfeeding from the breast directly, expressing (pumping) your milk with a pump, then bottle-feeding the expressed milk to your baby.
To understand triple feeding, it is important to note that breast milk production depends on the baby’s demand for milk. When babies nurse more frequently or for longer periods of time, milk production increases. The triple feeding plan encourages this increased demand for milk.
It is typically recommended for infants who are struggling to gain weight, have difficulty latching onto the breast, or have medical issues that require them to receive more milk than they are able to get from breastfeeding alone.
Purpose of Triple Feeding a Baby
The purpose of a triple feeding plan is twofold:
- It helps increase your milk supply by stimulating more prolactin production and improving your ability to pump.
- Ensuring the baby receives enough milk and gains weight faster.
- Reduce stress and anxiety for mothers who worry their baby isn’t getting enough milk from their breastfeeding.
How to Do It
1. Nursing
- You can enhance your baby’s milk intake by doing breast compressions while your little one is nursing. Doing so will increase their milk consumption substantially.
- Strive to get the best latch. If they are premature, awaiting a tongue tie revision, or if your nipples happen to be inverted, it may become necessary to use a nipple shield temporarily, but make sure you consult a lactation expert first.
- To maintain your baby’s interest in breastfeeding and bypass the bottle, you can add additional pumped milk or formula with a tube at the breast.
Babies on the triple feeding plan should only nurse for 15 to 20 minutes per feeding, as it will help them conserve their energy.
2. Pumping your milk
- Once your baby has had their fill at the breast, whether you’ve supplemented or not, it is essential to pump for 15 minutes – this will help empty out the breasts and boost milk production.
- To maximize breast milk supply, hand expression after pumping can ensure that you don’t miss a single precious drop.
3. Supplementing
- You can do that while nursing your child. Alternatively, you can also feed them through a syringe or baby bottle when they have finished nursing.
- This is the perfect opportunity for your partner or another caregiver to nourish your little one while you express milk, if that’s what you desire.
This process should be repeated 8 – 10 times throughout the day for optimal results. Some mothers may find that triple feeding every 2 hours works best for them and their babies. Whatever frequency you choose, make sure you and your little one are getting enough rest.
Triple feeding could be an important method for feeding newborn babies who are struggling to gain weight, to increase your milk supply, help your baby get the nutrition they need and reduce stress for mothers. While this method can seem time-consuming and challenging at first, with practice you will soon get into a comfortable routine that works for both you and your baby. If you have any concerns or need assistance, don’t hesitate to seek help from healthcare professionals.
For more information on triple feeding, be sure to download the Kinedu app and access our breastfeeding classes led by a lactation expert.
