Well there are lots of ways: first of all , some people say that if the diet is not ideal then the milk will suffer, so if that interest you then CLICK HERE for more information about natural methods of increasing supply.

That said, for most women, maternal diet seems to affect the mother's well-being more than the baby's, as the baby will get what it needs from the milk, which will be drawn from whatever the mother's body has available. It is certainly true that the mother needs to drink more, and eat well. Those with a restricted diet may find that their milk does suffer - or that their baby's growth suffers - see the section on Veganism and Vitamin B12, below

Secondly , there are Herbal Galactagogues - preparations which are thought to boost milk production, including Milk Thistle, Fenugreek, and Nettle Tea. Oatmeal is supposed to work too.

Thirdly , pumping (expressing) when baby is not feeding will work too.

Fourthly , there are medications which may help: read Kath's Story for more info on how one Mum managed to relactate using a combination of the herbal galactagogues, pumping, and over-the-counter drugs which boost prolactin levels.

Use of medication should be second line to increased frequency of feeds and optimisation of positioning and attachment, and does not work for all women.

It's also crucial to think about things which may be inhibiting the Mum's production of milk, other than sub-optimal attachment to the breast:

Has the mother been checked for retained placenta? That might cause milk production to be reduced, as it's the detachment of the placenta which triggers milk production - to check the mother might need an ultrasound, because depending on the age of the baby, she wouldn't necessarily still have bleeding.

Does the mother have a history of PCOS, or thyroid problems? Does she have any cysts presently?

Did her breasts enlarge during pregnancy? Has she ever had any surgery to her breasts? Other causes could be hormonal eg low thyroid function.

Have you ever been able to express any thing - and if you have, does it look like milk?

There's some thoughts to be going on with - be nice if we could get to the bottom of this, for your own peace of mind and in case of subsequent babies, even if not for DD's benefit - mind you if you could find a way to increase your breastmilk supply you could feed her more.

Anaemia and a vegan diet can affect lactation too, it's not that uncommon. Some women find it very challenging to try and eat well in the early postnatal period, and so some may need to take supplements if they have a problem with their milk supply - we shouldn't underestimate the importance of iron, vitamins B6, B12 and C in the diet of a BF Mum.

There are several references relating to diet and possible Vit B12 deficiency. Here are some sample pages from 'The New Breastfeeding Diet Plan', this is a link about a healthy breastfeeding diet, mentioning iron and Vit B12 , then a link to the Vegetarian Society's info on Vitamin B12 - specifically that more is required by nursing mothers.

Motilium , Domperidone or metoclopramide have often used to increase milk supply. Domperidone and metoclopramide work by increasing the prolactin level (the hormone which stimulates milk to be made. It can be used to increase a poor supply, e.g. after a long period of expressing for a premature baby but should only be used after trying increased frequency of feeding and skin-to-skin contact. It is taken three times a day for one week then the supply should be reassessed. If the supply is still low it may be worth continuing for another week. It is not appropriate if the baby is poorly positioned at the breast or is not feeding frequently enough to stimulate the milk supply. Metoclopramide (Maxolon) is associated with extra pyramidal side effects in particular acute dystonia and the precipitation of depression so is no longer recommended in young women. Domperidone (Motilium) is safe enough to be sold over the counter for feelings of bloatedness. (info from the BfN's Drugline factsheets)

Finally , it may also help you to understand exactly how milk production works - click here for an interesting article.