Mummies who are worried about low milk supply -
I was just reading the threads on the Baby Whisperer forum and thought this might be helpful:
Mothers worry and breastfeeding mothers are no exception. Of course, some women do have genuine supply problems which are challenging and upsetting but its important to note that
the vast majority of breastfeeding mothers who worry about their supply do not have cause for concern.
Many new mothers are unfamiliar with the patterns of breastfeeding or are unclear how their milk supply works so it may be helpful to clear up a few things first.
Source: La Leche League The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding:
If your baby is gaining well and has plenty of wet and soiled diapers, there is no need to worry if:
*Your baby nurses very often. Wanting to nurse frequently does not necessarily mean baby is hungry. Many babies have a strong need to suck. Human milk digests more quickly than formula so that the breastfed baby needs to be feed more frequently. Usually 8-12 times in 24 hours for a newborn.
*Your babys nursing habits, weight gain or sleep patterns do not compare with other babies you know. Each baby is an individual and there are wide variations within the normal range.
*Your baby suddenly increases the frequency and/or length of his nursings. Babies who are very sleepy as newborns often suddenly wake-up and begin nursing more frequently. Babies also go through occasional growth spurts (often around 2 weeks, six weeks and three months). During this time they nurse more often than usual to bring in more milk for their expanding needs.
*Your baby suddenly decreases his time at the breast, perhaps down to 5-10 minutes. He may simply be getting more efficient.
*Your baby is fussy. Many babies have a fussy period in the day, perhaps at about the same time. Fussiness can be caused by many things other than hunger. Frustration at the breast could also be caused by wind/ gas or an over- supply of milk.
*Your breasts leak only a little or not at all. Leaking has no relationship to your supply and often stops as your supply becomes established.
*Your breasts suddenly seem softer or smaller or feel less full. This happens as your milk production adjusts to your babys demand and the initial fullness or engorgement subsides.
*You have stopped feeling the let- down reflex as you once did. This can vary over time. Some mothers never feel it.
*You are pumping very little or significantly less than you used to. This is also not a reliable indicator. Pumping amounts also tend to decrease once the milk production has adjusted to the babys needs or as your breasts become more accustomed to your babys feeding technique. A babys method of extracting milk is very different and significantly more effective. It is quite possible to produce virtually nothing when pumping you may not even get a let-down of any milk- but still have ample milk for when your baby feeds.
If you have read the list above and still feel inkling that your supply is low consider the following factors:
Supplementing even supplementing with the occasional bottle of formula or giving any water will cause a mothers breasts to produce less milk. Your baby will fill up and demand less from the breast. As milk production responds to demand this will result in less milk being produced. If you are tempted to offer a supplement out of concern for your supply remember in the long-term you may be doing more harm than good. Try and speak to someone qualified first helpline numbers are on this board or contact your local health professional. If you feel desperately you have to offer something, expressed milk is the first choice but keep quantities small and offer the breast first. Your aim is to try not to reduce sucking time at the breast. Although the advice is to exclusively breastfeed if you can, some mums choose to do mixed feeding but this is usually recommended after your supply has had a chance to be established (several weeks in) and close monitoring of your supply will be needed (perhaps with some additional pumping to protect your supply). Early use of bottles has been known to cause feeding problems in some breastfed babies as young babies can find it a struggle to move between the 2 different sucking techniques. This is sometimes referred to as 'nipple confusion' although it's not only about nipples.
Improper latch if a baby has a poor suck or latch at the breast your breasts will not receive enough stimulation to produce the milk needed. A baby with a poor latch could feed for an extremely long time and still not be satisfied. If your nipples are still painfully sore perhaps its time to try and get some advice on your latch. One simple adjustment could make all the difference. You could contact your local La Leche League or one of the helplines mentioned. A good latch is described here:
http://www.drjacknewman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=71&itemid=99
Use of pacifiers/dummy if you have reason to believe your supply is low it is recommended to try and reduce the amount to time your baby is using a breast substitute as this could mean your baby is meeting his sucking need away from the breast.
Scheduled feedings Remember your babys EASY timings are flexible according to their needs. The BW books emphasise the importance of learning your babys cues. Young babies may start on an EASY of a short a time as 2-2.5 hours. For most this will soon increase in length to reach 3 hours and for some 4 hours. Not all babies will reach a 4 hour structure. Do not feel that because your baby is a certain age that he/she should be feeding in a certain way and then try and force it to happen. BW teaches us all babies are individual. If you over-schedule and do not respond to your babys natural patterns then your supply may not meet his needs.
Sleepy, placid babies not all babies ask for feeds. A young baby may need to be woken to nurse (and to stimulate your milk supply). See the thread on sleepy babies for other ways to encourage more feeding. When your baby is very young it is imperative you wake them in order that your breasts receive stimulation. Your milk will not 'come in' if your baby has not been sucking at the breast.
Length of feeds do not limit feeding time at the breast. Allow your baby to come off the breast when they are satisfied.
One or two breasts? Many mothers who follow BW choose single-sided feeding (but not everyone). The LLL does suggest that if you are concerned about your supply you offer both breasts at each feed.
Looking after yourself taking time to relax, drinking enough, eating well and regularly all help you to have a healthy milk supply.
Medications consider whether you may be taking something what could be impacting on your supply. The combined contraceptive pill is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers as it can dramatically decrease milk supply. Smoking will also affect supply.
Things you can do if you are worried:
Have a baby honeymoon spend 24-48 hours developing your supply if you really do have concerns. Dont watch the clock at all, nurse frequently and allow your baby to meet all their sucking needs at the breast. Remember the more your baby feeds, the more milk your body will make. Your breasts do not fill-up if you leave them longer in-between feeds. Longer spaces between feeds just means your body slows down milk production you may feel more full but that isnt because of milk its blood and other fluids moving to the areas of milk production. Much of the milk isnt stored in our breasts between feeds its made during a feed.
Dont worry alone talk to a friend, family member, husband or someone qualified in breastfeeding details are on this board.
Remember your body managed the miracle of pregnancy. If you are responding to your babys hungry cues, drinking enough and eating well it is very unlikely that your breasts are not doing their job!!! Some of us are born worriers and wed like our breasts to be transparent so we can see whats going on in there but nature had other plans.
Some mothers go to a clinic to feed their baby and are reassured by weighing their baby before a feed and then after to see how many oz have actually gone in. Although remember because breastmilk is absorbed so efficiently the quantities needed are smaller than for formula feeds.
If your baby is not getting around 6 wet nappies in 24 hours (poo is less reliable an indicator) and you feel they are not their usual self then do get advice. Your baby is your best indicator. If they are hydrated and happy, have faith.
Even if it seems you do have genuine problems and you are one of the few unlucky ones there is still much that can be done with advice e.g. taking supplements which boost your milk supply or extra pumping.
