How to Increase Milk Supply While Still Pregnant

Q: How to Perform Hand Expression?

Key Takeaway: Colostrum harvesting after 37 weeks (with provider approval) is a practical way to collect "liquid gold" and build confidence in your body's ability to produce milk before the baby arrives.

Posted on February 09, 2026

How to Increase Milk Supply While Still Pregnant Safely

Introduction
The Science of Pregnancy and Lactation
Is It Truly Possible to Increase Volume While Pregnant?
Nutritional Foundations for Pregnancy and Supply
The Practice of Colostrum Harvesting
Managing the Physical Challenges
Preparing for the "Golden Hour" Postpartum
Supplements and Support Systems
What to Do Next: Your Action Plan
Summary
FAQ

Introduction

If you have recently seen a positive pregnancy test while still nursing an older child, or if you are preparing for your first baby and want to get a head start on your journey, you likely have many questions. One of the most common things we hear from parents is the desire to know how to increase milk supply while still pregnant. Whether you are worried about your current nursling getting enough or you want to ensure a robust supply for your upcoming arrival, your proactive approach is wonderful.

At Milky Mama, we believe that education is the most powerful tool in your breastfeeding toolkit. We know that the intersection of pregnancy and lactation is a unique space filled with hormonal changes and physical shifts. This article will explore the science of how your body produces milk during pregnancy, what you can realistically expect regarding supply changes, and the best ways to prepare your body for a successful nursing experience once your new baby arrives. Our goal is to help you feel empowered and supported as you navigate this transition.

Understanding how to manage your supply during these nine months can reduce stress and help you set achievable goals. While your body undergoes significant changes to support a growing pregnancy, there are practical steps you can take to support your lactation journey. We will cover nutrition, the role of hormones, and the practice of colostrum harvesting to give you the best possible start.

The Science of Pregnancy and Lactation

To understand how to increase milk supply while still pregnant, we first have to look at how the body manages two major biological tasks at once. Your body is incredibly efficient, but it does prioritize the growing pregnancy. Around the midpoint of your pregnancy, your breasts begin a process called Lactogenesis I. This is the stage where your mammary glands start making colostrum, which is often called "liquid gold" because it is so rich in antibodies and nutrients.

Even if you are currently breastfeeding a toddler, your milk will naturally begin to transition back to colostrum during the second trimester. This change is driven by hormones, specifically an increase in progesterone. Progesterone is essential for maintaining a healthy pregnancy, but it also acts as a "brake" on milk production. This is why many breastfeeding parents notice a significant dip in their supply between the third and fourth months of pregnancy.

Why Supply Often Drops During Pregnancy

It is important to acknowledge that for most people, milk supply will decrease during pregnancy regardless of how often the child nurses or how much you pump. This is not a failure of your body; it is a hormonal response. The high levels of progesterone produced by the placenta effectively tell the breasts to slow down "mature" milk production and focus on creating the concentrated colostrum your newborn will need.

For many parents, this leads to what we call "dry nursing." This is when a toddler continues to nurse for comfort and connection even though very little milk is being produced. Because this drop is hormonal rather than based on demand, traditional methods like power pumping often do not have the same effect they would if you were not pregnant.

The Role of Prolactin and Progesterone

The two main players in this story are prolactin and progesterone. Prolactin is the hormone responsible for making milk. While your prolactin levels actually rise during pregnancy, the high levels of progesterone prevent the prolactin from fully "turning on" the milk-making cells. It is only after the placenta is delivered following birth that progesterone levels plumet, allowing prolactin to take over and trigger the "coming in" of your mature milk, also known as Lactogenesis II.

Key Takeaway: Pregnancy hormones, especially progesterone, naturally suppress milk volume to prioritize colostrum production for the new baby. Understanding this hormonal shift helps set realistic expectations for your supply during pregnancy.

Is It Truly Possible to Increase Volume While Pregnant?

When people ask how to increase milk supply while still pregnant, the answer depends on their specific situation. If you are nursing a toddler and want to bring back a full volume of mature milk, it is important to know that this is biologically difficult until after the birth. However, if your goal is to support your body so that you have a strong supply the moment the baby is born, there are many things you can do.

Because the placenta is the primary driver of the supply dip, you cannot "override" the system entirely. However, maintaining your health and using specific techniques can ensure your "factory" is ready to go the moment the placenta is delivered.

Supporting a Current Nursling

If you are nursing an older child, the focus should be on comfort and nutrition. Since you cannot easily increase the volume of milk, you may need to ensure your toddler is getting adequate nutrition and hydration from other sources if they are under one year old. If they are over a year old, nursing becomes more about the emotional bond.

Preparing for the New Arrival

For those looking forward to the new baby, "increasing" supply while pregnant often means maximizing colostrum production and preparing the breast tissue for the demands of a newborn. This is where your focus can really make a difference.

Nutritional Foundations for Pregnancy and Supply

What you eat plays a significant role in how your body handles the double demand of pregnancy and lactation. Your caloric needs increase significantly when you are doing both. Most experts suggest that a pregnant, breastfeeding parent needs about 300 to 500 extra calories per day to support both tasks.

Prioritizing Galactagogues Early

Galactagogues are foods or herbs that may help support milk production. Incorporating these into your diet during pregnancy can help nourish your body and prepare your system. Oats are one of the most famous and gentle galactagogues. They are rich in iron and beta-glucan, which can support your energy levels and heart health while also being great for lactation.

Our Emergency Brownies are a favorite among our community because they contain oats, flaxseed, and brewer's yeast. While they are famous for supporting supply postpartum, eating them during pregnancy is a safe and delicious way to get those nourishing ingredients into your routine. They provide a dense source of nutrients that your body needs when working overtime.

Hydration and Electrolytes

Hydration is perhaps the most critical factor in maintaining any level of milk supply while pregnant. Pregnancy increases your blood volume, and lactation requires significant fluid intake. If you are dehydrated, your body will prioritize your vital organs and the pregnancy, often leaving milk production last on the list.

We often recommend focusing on more than just plain water. Electrolytes help your body actually absorb and use the water you drink. Our Milky Melon™ and Lactation LeMOOnade™ drink mixes are excellent options for staying hydrated. They provide a refreshing way to keep your fluids up without the boredom of plain water, and they contain ingredients that support overall wellness.

Vital Nutrients to Focus On

Protein: Your body needs extra protein to build fetal tissue and support the changes in your breast tissue. Aim for lean meats, beans, lentils, and Greek yogurt.
Healthy Fats: Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for the baby's brain development and can help keep your energy levels stable. Think avocados, walnuts, and chia seeds.
Iron: Anemia is common in pregnancy and can negatively impact milk supply after birth. Ensure you are taking your prenatal vitamin and eating iron-rich foods like spinach and fortified cereals.

The Practice of Colostrum Harvesting

One of the most effective ways to "increase" what you have available for your baby while still pregnant is a practice called colostrum harvesting. This involves hand-expressing your colostrum in the final weeks of pregnancy and storing it in small syringes.

What Is Antenatal Hand Expression?

Antenatal hand expression is the process of manually expressing colostrum before the baby is born. This is usually recommended starting around the 37th week of pregnancy. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider before starting this, as nipple stimulation can sometimes cause uterine contractions. However, for most low-risk pregnancies, it is considered safe and very beneficial.

Why Harvest Colostrum?

Harvesting colostrum serves two purposes. First, it gives you a "backup" supply of your own milk if the baby has trouble latching or needs extra supplementation in the first few days. Second, it teaches you how your breasts work. Learning the skill of hand expression while you are still pregnant can make you much more confident once the baby arrives.

How to Perform Hand Expression

Get Comfortable: Find a quiet place and use a warm compress on your breasts for a few minutes to encourage flow.
The "C" Hold: Place your thumb and fingers in a "C" shape about an inch or two back from the nipple.
Press and Release: Press back toward your chest wall, then gently compress your thumb and fingers together. Do not slide your fingers over the skin; the movement should be a rhythmic compression.
Collect: You will likely only see tiny, thick drops at first. This is normal! You can collect these drops in a clean spoon or directly into a small oral syringe.
Store: Label the syringes with the date and store them in the freezer.

Key Takeaway: Colostrum harvesting after 37 weeks (with provider approval) is a practical way to collect "liquid gold" and build confidence in your body's ability to produce milk before the baby arrives.

Managing the Physical Challenges

Breastfeeding while pregnant is not always easy. To support your supply and your well-being, you have to manage the physical hurdles that come with the territory.

Nipple Sensitivity

Hormonal changes often make the nipples very sensitive or even painful during pregnancy. If nursing a toddler becomes uncomfortable, it may cause you to want to nurse less, which can further decrease supply. Using a high-quality nipple balm or ensuring your toddler has a deep latch can help. Sometimes, even a slight adjustment in position to accommodate your growing belly can make a big difference.

Nursing Aversion

Some parents experience a phenomenon called "nursing aversion" during pregnancy. This is a feeling of intense agitation or "skin crawling" when the child latches. It is a biological response that is very common and nothing to feel guilty about. If you experience this, try using distraction techniques, such as reading a book together while nursing, or setting gentle boundaries on how long the nursing session lasts.

Rest and Stress Management

Stress is a known supply-killer. When you are pregnant and potentially chasing a toddler, your cortisol levels can rise. High cortisol can interfere with the let-down reflex (the process that moves milk from the back of the breast to the nipple). Prioritizing sleep and rest is not just "nice to do"—it is a vital part of your lactation strategy.

Preparing for the "Golden Hour" Postpartum

While you are focusing on how to increase milk supply while still pregnant, the most important thing you can do is set the stage for the first hour after birth. This period, often called the "Golden Hour," is when your body receives the strongest signals to start making milk.

Skin-to-Skin Contact

Holding your baby skin-to-skin immediately after birth helps stabilize the baby's temperature and blood sugar, but it also triggers a massive release of oxytocin in your body. Oxytocin is the hormone responsible for the milk ejection reflex. Even if you don't feel like you have a lot of milk yet, that skin-to-skin contact tells your brain it’s time to switch from "pregnancy mode" to "lactation mode."

Frequent Feedings in the Early Days

Once the baby is born, the "supply and demand" rule takes over. During pregnancy, supply is hormonal. After birth, it becomes a matter of how much milk is removed. The more frequently you nurse or pump in those first few days, the more milk-making receptors your body will create. This "primes the pump" for the rest of your breastfeeding journey.

Supplements and Support Systems

As you prepare for the transition from pregnancy to postpartum, you might consider what supplements can support your journey. It is always best to wait until after the baby is born to start heavy-duty lactation supplements, but you can certainly have them ready in your pantry.

Choosing the Right Support

We offer a variety of herbal supplements designed to support different aspects of lactation. For example, Lady Leche™ is crafted with moringa and nettle, which are nutrient-dense herbs that many moms find helpful for boosting supply. Lactation Supplements are another popular option for those who plan to incorporate pumping into their routine early on.

Note: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with your healthcare provider for medical advice before starting any new supplement, especially while pregnant.

Building Your Village

Don't wait until the baby is here to find a lactation consultant. Look for a local IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) or join an online community like ours. Having a support system in place means that if you do face challenges with supply after the birth, you won't have to scramble for help while exhausted. Our Certified Lactation Consultant Breastfeeding Help page is a good place to start, and our Courses can help you build confidence before your baby arrives.

What to Do Next: Your Action Plan

To help you feel organized, here is a quick summary of steps you can take right now to support your supply goals:

Focus on Nutrition: Add oats, flaxseed, and plenty of protein to your daily meals.
Stay Hydrated: Drink at least 80-100 ounces of fluids daily, including electrolyte-rich drinks like Milky Melon™.
Consult Your Doctor: Discuss colostrum harvesting and nursing through pregnancy at your next prenatal visit.
Prepare Your Toolkit: Stock up on nourishing treats like our Emergency Brownies so they are ready for your third trimester and early postpartum days.
Learn the Technique: Practice the "C" hold for hand expression (without necessarily expressing yet) to get used to the anatomy of your breasts.

Key Takeaway: While you cannot override the hormonal dip of pregnancy, you can optimize your body's readiness through nutrition, hydration, and education.

Summary

Increasing milk supply while still pregnant is more about preparation and maintenance than it is about force-increasing volume. Because of the natural rise in progesterone, your body is biologically programmed to shift from mature milk to colostrum. By focusing on high-quality nutrition, staying deeply hydrated, and learning skills like hand expression, you are doing the hard work of setting up a successful breastfeeding foundation.

Every drop of colostrum you produce and every moment of connection with your nursling is valuable. Remember that you are doing an amazing job growing a human life while simultaneously nourishing another (or preparing to). Trust your body, lean on your support system, and know that we are here to help you every step of the way.

"Your breasts were literally created to feed human babies, and your body knows exactly how to transition from supporting a pregnancy to nourishing a newborn. Trust the process and take care of yourself first."

For more support on your journey, we invite you to explore our educational resources and community at Milky Mama. We are dedicated to providing the tools and encouragement you need to reach your breastfeeding goals.

FAQ

Is it safe to continue breastfeeding while I am pregnant?

For the vast majority of people with low-risk pregnancies, it is perfectly safe to continue breastfeeding. Your body is capable of nourishing both the baby in your womb and the child at your breast, provided you are eating enough calories and staying hydrated. If you have a history of preterm labor or are experiencing complications, it is important to discuss your situation with your healthcare provider.

Will my toddler "use up" all the colostrum before the new baby arrives?

No, you do not need to worry about your older child "finishing" the colostrum. Your body will continue to produce colostrum throughout the latter half of your pregnancy and in the first few days after birth. The more the breast is stimulated, the more your body is signaled to keep producing it, ensuring there is plenty for your newborn.

When should I start trying to hand express or harvest colostrum?

Most lactation professionals and healthcare providers recommend waiting until you are at least 37 weeks pregnant to begin hand expression for colostrum harvesting. This is because nipple stimulation can release oxytocin, which might trigger uterine contractions. Always get the "all clear" from your doctor or midwife before you begin.

Can I take lactation supplements like Lady Leche™ while I am still pregnant?

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