2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-22 03:30
Breastfeeding is wonderful! First, it's the only way to give your baby a rich, unique blend of nutrients and immune-supporting elements that provide lifelong benefits.
Also, did you know that your breasts have the capacity to respond to the amount of milk your baby needs? This means, among other things, that, contrary to the myths that still circulate, your breasts will always produce "enough milk".
However, every mother's breastfeeding experience is different, and some struggle. One of the most common is the feeling that the breasts are not producing enough milk. Of course, some things can actually affect milk supply, for example stress or he alth, but very often mums think they have low milk supply even when this is not the case.
It should be remembered that the production of breast milk is a question of “supply and demand”. As long as your exclusively breastfed baby is gaining enough weight, your milk supply is not a problem. He is perfectlyIt's normal for a new mom to feel that her breasts are less full or even "empty" after the first 6-12 weeks of breastfeeding. It's part of the body's natural fit.
If you're still wondering if you're producing enough milk, here are some additional checks you can make.
Understanding your own cycle
Before you start worrying, learn about the supply and demand cycle that governs breast milk production.
Many factors influence breast milk supply, including how often your baby feeds, your stress level, and whether or not you take certain medications. Speak to your doctor before taking any new prescription medication to make sure it is compatible with breastfeeding.
How to tell if your baby is getting enough milk
Your baby probably gets everything he needs. As long as he produces wet diapers (with colorless urine) and normal, regular bowel movements, your breastmilk supply is almost certain to be perfect, no matter what you may think.
Other positive signs indicate that your baby is getting enough breastmilk: your baby gulps and swallows while breastfeeding, is happy and calm afterwards, and is gaining weight. Babies often lose about 10% of their weight after birth and it takes them 2-3 weeks to regain it.
How to increase your supply ofmilk
If your baby doesn't seem to be urinating normally, is producing little or no stool, or you're seeing other signs of a lack of milk, there are several ways to increase your supply:
- Check that the latch is good: if your baby does not have a good latch, he will not stimulate your breasts sufficiently in their production and therefore may not get enough milk.
- Breastfeeding your baby on demand can help stimulate the supply of breastmilk. Also, some moms have a smaller storage capacity, so you may need to empty your breasts more often than others to encourage an increase in your production.
- Do not use formula or pacifiers. These can be a problem if your breast milk supply is low. Keep your baby focused while breastfeeding to help her get all the milk she needs. This will tell your breasts to produce more.
- Try double pumping between feedings. According to research[1], expressing both breasts at the same time can increase your milk supply by up to 20%.
- Take care of yourself. Be sure to limit your stress levels, sleep well, eat well, and drink plenty of water to ensure a good supply of breastmilk.
If you feel that your breasts are not "full", it is usually not a sign of low breast milk supply. Moreover, to solve most of the problems related tobreastmilk supply, it is almost always enough to breastfeed more often. Continue to breastfeed or express; this will stimulate your body to produce more milk.
[1] Studies conducted with Medela brand breast pumps only. No other brand of breast pump has been tested for this, so results may not be the same.
