Introduction
A mother produces enough milk to provide adequate nutrition to the newborn. Still, almost all mothers worry about breastfeeding throughout their pregnancy, especially in the early days after delivery. It is also commonly seen that many women stop breastfeeding very early because they suspect that the milk secretion is less. However, it is essential to know that a low milk supply is a temporary problem, and there are many available solutions to increase the milk supply.
What Are the Signs of Reduced Milk Formation?
It is sometimes seen that everything is going smoothly between you and your baby, and some signs like soft breast and poor feeding can be mistaken for low milk supply. You should not worry about getting these signs as they could be the early signs that indicate the adjustment of you and your baby to breastfeeding. However, if you feel that your baby is not getting enough milk and often feels hungry, you may note the signs and discuss how to rule out poor milk supply with your doctor.
The commonly known signs that indicate low milk production include,
-
Your Baby Is Producing Less Wet or Dirty Diapers: The number of diapers your baby uses depends on the amount of milk they are taking, especially during the initial days of their life. It is seen that breastfed infants poop more frequently than those babies who are taking formula milk. You may notice a color change in the poop of the newborn, which is initially black and then changes from greenish-yellow color to orange-yellow in the first week.
-
If Your Baby Shows Signs of Dehydration: The signs of dehydration include low production of urine for several hours. The baby lacks tears while crying, a prolonged sleep period, and a lack of energy level while they are awake. You should visit your doctor and discuss these signs if you notice these changes.
-
Your Baby Is Not Showing Weight Gain: It is usually seen that babies may lose some weight after birth, but they should start regaining the weight by the second week. Also, some babies might show steady weight gain soon after birth. These are alarming signs, and you need to visit your doctor immediately.
Apart from all this, it should be noted that certain signs are normal and should not be mistakenly considered abnormal.
These include;
-
Your baby desires to breastfeed more often.
-
Your baby wakes up for milk.
-
Your baby is fed for a shorter time.
-
Your baby is not pooping regularly.
-
You feel that your breast is growing soft, and you do not think it is engorged.
Many women in all populations experience all these signs. It signals the physiological changes in the body while adapting to breastfeeding.
What Are the Signs That Indicate That Baby Is Getting Enough Milk?
It is worrisome for all the mothers to meet their infant's nutritional needs and calculate if their infant is getting enough milk to support their growth and development. All mothers suffer from the same concern, especially during the initial days after delivery.
You should know that many changes are evident as the child is growing. These changes are different for every child. Some common behavioral changes that are noted in newborns so far are,
-
Your baby wakes up for food themselves.
-
Your baby uses approximately 6-8 diapers in a day.
-
The baby seems happy and active between the feeds.
-
Your baby is passing a soft yellow stool at least once a day.
-
Your baby is showing a gradual increase in weight.
What Could Be the Reason for Your Poor Milk Supply?
Suppose you are experiencing a decrease in the amount of milk production and are unable to feed your baby correctly. Under such circumstances, it is crucial to know the reason for your problem to correct it.
Some commonly known reasons:-
-
You are unable to achieve a good latch (baby lips attachment to your nipple). It affects the sucking ability of your baby and compromises the milk supply.
-
Your baby is not breastfeeding often.
-
You are feeding your baby more with formula milk.
-
You are not eating well and lacking essential nutrients in your diet.
-
When you introduce solids to your baby's diet, breast milk intake decreases, ultimately causing a decrease in your milk supply.
-
You develop a smoking habit.
-
You might have suffered from lactation mastitis recently.
-
You are taking hormonal medicine and oral contraceptives containing estrogen.
-
A previous history of breast surgery can affect milk production.
-
Premature birth.
-
Pregnancy-induced blood pressure decreases the milk supply.
-
Intake of alcohol and nicotine can affect the breast milk supply.
-
Certain medications, including some over-the-counter drugs, can lower milk supply. It is best to take any medicine when prescribed by your doctor.
How Can You Increase Your Milk Supply to Meet Your Baby Needs?
Breast milk is a biological fluid secreted by the mammary gland. The amount of milk formation is dependent upon its need. There are numerous ways to increase milk supply naturally.
Some of them are,
-
Practicing a good latch.
-
Massaging the breast before, after, and sometimes in between the feed.
-
Attempting breastfeeding frequently.
-
Maintaining a skin-to-skin touch with your baby.
-
Extract extra milk from the breast after completing breastfeeding.
-
Applying warm compression to the breast before breastfeeding.
-
Using both breasts while feeding.
-
Eating nutritional food.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a well-nourished mother needs an additional 330 to 400 calories per day, and the overall calorie intake should be 2,000 calories to 2,800 calories per day.
What Is the Best Food to Increase the Breast Milk Supply?
Some studies suggest that intake of a particular food can help mothers increase milk production.
These include,
-
Fenugreek seeds.
-
Spinach.
-
Fennel.
-
Oats.
-
Brewer's yeast.
Conclusion:
The body shows various physiological changes during breastfeeding, misinterpreted as a low milk supply. If you are experiencing the reduced formation of milk that is not sufficient for your body, it is essential to discuss the signs with your doctor before coming to any conclusion. You must know that the low milk supply problem is temporary and can be corrected with superficial modifications.
