Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Poonam Kumar
MD (Obs & Gynae) Masters in Maternal & Fetal Medicine (Spain)
Chief Consultant
Fetal Medicine and Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
Embracing motherhood involves acknowledging all the challenges that follow. For a lot of moms out there, producing the right amount of breast milk stands as a paramount concern. Understanding the complexities of lactation and increasing milk supply can be a transformative experience that strengthens the bond between mother and child while promoting the baby’s physical health. This blog will delve into the art and science of how to increase breast milk supply, providing priceless insights, doable tactics, and some breast feeding tips to support nursing moms on their journey. This guide seeks to provide nursing moms the confidence and resources they need to navigate the wonderful yet occasionally complex world of breast feeding successfully, arming them with a thorough understanding of breast feeding benefits and the causes of low milk supply.
Parenting Tip:
Prioritize Self-Care, Nurse Frequently, Practice Skin-to-Skin Contact, Master Proper Latch and Positioning, Pump Between Feedings, Stay Hydrated, Minimize Stress
How do you know if your milk supply is low?
It might be difficult for nursing moms to tell if there is a low milk supply because it typically depends on several variables, such as breast feeding routines, personal perceptions, and the child’s growth and behavior. The following indicators could point to a low milk supply:
Poor Weight Gain in Baby:
Inadequate weight gain in baby is one of the most important signs of a low milk supply. During the well-child visits, the pediatrician will keep an eye on your baby’s growth. If the baby is not growing as predicted or their weight is regularly slipping below the curve, it can be a sign of low milk supply, and your baby may not be getting enough milk even after routine breast feeding.
Not Enough Wet and Dirty Diapers:
Newborns typically have a particular count of wet and dirty diapers on a given day, indicating they are getting enough milk and water. A fall in the count of wet diapers (less than six per day after the first week) or no dirty diapers (after the first few days) may indicate a low milk supply and intake.
Inadequate Swallowing:
You will likely hear an audible swallowing sound as the baby feeds. As a nursing mom, if you observe your baby sucking without swallowing or swallowing very little, it could suggest that there is a low milk supply.
Parenting Tip:
Hydrate, Nurse Frequently, Practice Skin-to-Skin Contact, Empty Breasts Completely, Avoid Pacifiers and Bottles Early On, Maintain a Comfortable Latch, Avoid Tight Clothing, Pump Between Feedings
Short Breast feeding Sessions:
If you observe fast and frequent nursing sessions accompanied by signs of hunger immediately after feeding, it may be a sign the baby is not receiving enough milk at each breast feeding.
Lack of Satisfaction Following Breast feeding:
A baby not receiving enough milk may show signs of hunger even after breast feeding. They might continue to be irritable or agitated and constantly try to reach for the breast.
Reduced Breast Fullness:
As your breasts make and retain milk, they typically feel full and heavy in the early postpartum period. A noticeable drop in breast fullness in between feedings can be an indication of a low milk supply.
It is crucial to remember that exhibiting one or two of the above signs does not always indicate a low milk supply. However, if consistent signs are making you concerned about your milk supply, It is imperative that you get assistance from a lactation consultant or a breast feeding counselor.
Causes of low milk supply
The causes of low milk supply can vary from environmental to physical factors. Comprehending and addressing these potential causes can help increase milk supply in nursing moms. Here are some typical causes of low milk supply:
Insufficient Breast Stimulation:
Reduced skin-to-skin contact and infrequent or partial feeding sessions can lower breast stimulation and, thus, lower milk production in nursing moms.
Medical Conditions:
Several ailments may affect the production of milk. It can be hampered by hormonal abnormalities such as hypoplasia, insufficient glandular tissue, or PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). Hypertension, diabetes, thyroid issues, and the retention of placenta after delivery may also cause low milk supply.
Maternal Stress and Fatigue:
Anxiety, stress, and weariness can have a detrimental effect on breast feeding by upsetting the hormonal balance and decreasing milk production.
Maternal Nutrition and Hydration:
Low nutrition and hydration levels in nursing moms can lower breast milk production.
Breast Surgery:
Disruptions to glandular tissue and milk ducts from prior breast surgeries, such as breast reduction or augmentation, may result in low milk supply.
Supplemental Feedings:
Adding formula foods to a breast feeding baby’s diet, especially in the first few days after birth, will reduce the need for breast milk and signal the body to produce less.
Scheduled Feeding:
Providing a rigid breast feeding schedule as opposed to feeding when needed can reduce the milk supply. Feeding babies whenever they exhibit signs of hunger is best since this will increase milk supply.
Ineffective Breast feeding Technique:
A good latch is essential for efficient milk transfer during breastfeeding. A shallow latch, improper placement, or inefficient sucking can all lead to insufficient milk removal, signaling the body to produce less milk.
Smoking and Alcohol:
Drinking too much alcohol and smoking can result in a low milk supply and change the composition of breast milk.
10 Effective Ways To Increase Breast Milk Supply
Here are ten effective ways on how to increase breast milk supply:
Breastfeed Your Child Frequently and as Needed:
Breastfeed your child on demand, ideally every two to three hours or whenever they exhibit signs of hunger. In addition to ensuring your baby has enough milk, feeding on demand helps increase milk supply Breast feeding 8 to 12 times a day is considered beneficial.
Make Sure You are Latching and Positioning Correctly:
For milk transfer to be effective, you must latch and position yourself comfortably when breastfeeding. Make sure the baby’s mouth covers the nipple and a significant portion around (areola). Proper latching can result in efficient breast feeding, which in turn can increase milk supply. Consult a lactation consultant for support if you are having trouble breast feeding.
Skin-to-Skin Contact:
Make as much skin-to-skin contact as possible with your newborn baby, particularly in the early postpartum phase. Breast feeding is encouraged, and skin-to-skin contact stimulates hormone release in nursing moms, which can increase milk supply.
Empty the Breasts Totally:
Let your child feed on each breast until they are completely emptied. When your breasts are empty, your body will increase milk supply in response to your baby’s demand.
Pump Between Feedings:
To increase breast milk supply, incorporate pumping between breast feeding sessions. In addition to providing expressed milk for bottle feeding when necessary, pumping can increase breast milk production.
Keep Yourself Well-Nourished and Hydrated:
Maintain a balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, proteins, and whole grain, and drink enough water throughout the day. To increase breast milk naturally at home, incorporate foods to help with breast milk supply, like green leafy vegetables, almonds and oats.
Self-Care:
Nursing Moms should get enough sleep and avoid stress. Make self-care and relaxation a priority as it can help increase milk supply.
Herbal Supplements:
Herbal supplements help increase milk supply, but always use them under medical supervision. Fenugreek, alfalfa, blessed thistle, fennel, Shatavari, and nettle are commonly used supplements to increase milk supply.
Avoid Pacifiers and Bottles:
Relying on bottles or pacifiers can break the continuity of frequent breast feeding. So, it is best to breastfeed in the initial few weeks to stimulate the milk production process and increase milk supply.
Seek Support:
Trained professionals like lactation consultants and breastfeeding counselors can provide expert guidance to nursing moms. Breastfeeding can be an emotional journey; seeking support can give reassurance and validation.
Medications To Increase Breast Milk Supply
Some medications can increase milk supply but must be taken only under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner. Though they are not FDA-approved for boosting breast milk, your doctor might recommend an off-label use of these drugs to increase milk supply:
Domperidone:
It increases prolactin levels, which in turn helps to increase milk supply in nursing moms.
Metoclopramide:
This drug also increases the prolactin levels and breast milk production. However, it has some potential side effects and is not used as the first line of treatment.
Oxytocin Nasal spray:
It can help stimulate the let-down (milk ejection) reflex to improve the milk ejection and increase milk supply.
Conclusion
Remember that you are not alone as you embark on the breast feeding quest with renewed knowledge on how to increase breast milk supply. Get help from other nursing moms, lactation consultants, and medical professionals whenever you need it, and trust the wisdom of the mother’s instinct in you!
FAQs:
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