Is Increasing Milk Supply The Answer?

by LisaC

Many new mothers who are breastfeeding wonder if their infant is getting enough milk from breastfeeding. Face it, there’s not a bottle there that you watch get lower and lower there as you drink, so this kind of concern pops up. However, there are some signs that your baby is getting enough milk that you should look for first.

Is your baby producing wet and dirty diapers at an adequate rate? Mother’s milk will digest more easily and quickly so you can expect 5 - 6 totally wet diapers a day and usually 4 dirty diapers a day after the first week or so.
Is your baby gaining weight? If he is not losing weight but gaining it then your baby is probably getting enough nutrition.
Is your baby showing signs of dehydration or irritability. Even if your baby shows signs of irritability at times it doesn’t mean he is not getting enough milk.

However, if you suspect that you have a low milk supply then you should contact your lactation specialist and your baby’s pediatrician.

Only after they rule out health factors can they begin to look into methods of increasing milk supply if that truly is an issue.

Some of the things you should keep in mind is that nutrition plays a big role in your ability to produce an adequate supply of milk for your breastfed infant. You are what you eat and your baby eats what you ingest. Also though caffeine is said to increase milk supply, it is not good for your baby. Your baby responds to caffeine more strongly than you do, and it will remain in his system longer as well.

Under the advice of your physician and lactation specialist there are some several methods for increasing milk supply.

One of the most natural and primary ways of increasing your breast milk supply is to offer frequent feedings to your infant. Breast stimulation is a primary factor in breast milk production. Be sure and offer both breasts to your infant, it is important that both sides get the necessary stimulation offered by a baby’s sucking action.

If this is impossible, or adequate results are not obtained with the baby at the breast, then a hospital grade breast pump is often recommended for a short time. Using a hospital grade breast pump will stimulate both breasts at once and can increase breast milk production.

Other means of increasing your milk supply can be discussed with your physician and your lactation specialist. Natural stimulants or drug therapies should only be attempted under the advice and guidance of your physician and lactation consultant.

It might be necessary to supplement your breast milk for a period of time. You can do this with finger feeding, cup feeding, a bottle, or a supplemental nursing system (SNS).

Low milk supply doesn’t spell the end of breastfeeding, and you and your baby can still have the closeness of breastfeeding and while you ensure your baby receives adequate nutrition

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