Breastfeeding Questions?

Question

I know I want to breastfeed my child after he/she is born, at least up until the 6 month point when they build up an immune system. I hear that some women don't produce enough milk, but this seems so natural... what's the chances of this?

Answer 1

Most women only "think" that they don't produce enough milk. The thing that leads most women to this misconception is their breast size or the fact that a mother's milk doesn't actually 'let down' until three to four days after the baby is born. Prior to this time, the mother is producing colustrum - the most important part of the baby's first diet and their first measures for prevention of infection and this is their immunity booster. In all actuality, there is only a very minute number of women who actually don't produce enough milk to successfully breastfeed. The key is to be persistant and to know that the more the baby nurses the more milk will be produced. It is very common for some women to have to supplement for three of four days. By supplement I mean to start your baby off on the breast and nurse from each breast and then offer formula to fill the baby up if he/she still seems unsatisfied. I think it is wonderful that you are planning to breastfeed. I breastfed three of my four children and they are all the better for it. Good Luck

Answer 2

I've never heard of not producing enough milk. So the chances of that could be very rare. Say 1 in every ten million women maybe. Ask someone other than your doctor since breastfeeding is not their area of expertise. They are only required to give you a little info. I'm taking child birth classes and I also through WIC was informed a lot about breastfeeding in an IFC class. That's what you should do as well. They're very thorough with their information on breastfeeding.

Answer 3

Almost zero except under certain circumstances.

Practically the only cases of a mother who *can't* produce enough milk are women who have had breast or chest surgery (even as a child) or women with hormonal imbalance (usually PCOS, hormonal birth control, pregnancy, or thyroid problems). Thyroid problems once brought under control with medication no longer cause low milk production. If you haven't had surgery and don't have PCOS, then you just have to be sure not to get pregnant or use hormonal birth control (*all* forms of hormones can cause supply problems--including the ones that are "safe for breastfeeding mothers"), and you're all set.

However, many other women *don't* produce enough milk. The usual cause of this is not nursing often enough. If you nurse the baby whenever she/he needs to nurse, you will not have this problem. For most babies, this means nursing at least 10-12 times in 24 hours for the first month or two.

You can improve your chances of having a positive experience of breastfeeding by getting support and information *early* (like any time during pregnancy). La Leche League offers monthly meetings where you can meet other nursing mothers and ask any questions. In addition, if you have any questions after your baby is born, it's easier to ask someone you know rather than a complete stranger. See sources section below to find a local La Leche League Leader.

You do *not* need to eat any special diet, drink any specific amount, or live a stress-free existence to nurse. You will feel better if you eat well, but unless you have had a truly horrendous diet for years, you will be able to make plenty of high-quality milk. In fact, women who have lived their entire lives under famine conditions make enough high-quality milk (in fact, they are *more* likely than American women to have no difficulties). And be sure eat those 2500 calories someone else suggested--if you want to gain 50 pounds in 6 months!! 1800 calories is enough for many women!!

Answer 4

Not sure what the chances are, but it happened to me. I tried to breastfeed but my son couldn't latch on, so I used the pump instead. Worked very well until I suddenly stopped producing. Milk was gone within a week and a half for no reason. The pediatrician had me use Similac soy formula and he did just fine on it. Even if you aren't producing enough milk to feed entirely on breastmilk, don't give up, give you baby whatever you are producing. Your pediatrician will keep up with everything that is going on and help you to figure out what to do, whatever happens.
You should produce enough milk while breastfeeding however.
Good luck.

Answer 5

Its totally natural. I am breastfeeding my 2nd child and since i had forgotten what breastfeeding was like 5 years ago. I thought i wasn't making enough milk supply for my 2nd after the 1st 6 weeks of breastfeeding. Your breast supply makes enough for your baby after 6 weeks and doesn't engorge anymore unless you are not pumping more milk out. Try not to pump any milk til after the 6 weeks when your body settles exactly what your baby is taking. If you are worried that you are not making enough milk, which i have been through that before, just make sure your baby is still soiling the diaper because that means she is taking in what she is getting and no need to worry.. Good luck on your new motherhood!

Answer 6

It's not as uncommon as you may think. Once a routine feeding schedule is formed in the first few days you will find that one breast may not fill as quickly as the other. The real problem occurs when the baby eats between nursings and your milk has not had time to replenish. We have avoided extinction without Efamil so don't worry and kudos to you for going into it with determination. Hang in there because it is a lot of work, painful at times and can be a hinderance on any chance of catching up with sleep. A word to the wise, buy a good breast pump so you can rest and daddy can enjoy feeding time as well.

Answer 7

for the first 2 days you wont be producing milk, you'll be producing colostrum - this is very the most important part of breastfeeding. the more you breastfeed the more your body will produce on its own. but you have to remember if you don't breastfeed every 3 hours or so then you have to remember to pump the milk out so your body will continue to produce.

Answer 8

people make up a lot of excuses as to why they dont breastfeed. the truth is VERY VERY few women cannot physically breastfeed, it is a natural process. i know many people, including my best friend, are afraid they arent producing enough milk (b/c she couldnt see it in a bottle) so she quit.. that doesnt mean that she wasnt, she just was afraid of it. it is very easy to tell if your baby is getting enough by how many wet and soiled diapers they produce. I strongly encourage you to take a breastfeeding class at your hospital or wherever they have birthing classes.. insurance usually covers them, and bring your partner with you, my husband learned a lot and it helped him to be supportive.

Answer 9

Unless you've had surgery it is very rare to not produce enough. Normal breasts produce maybe 1once/hour. They produce more when empty and less when full. Maybe 2 onces/hour when empty. A normal baby won't be able to eat this much. 2 very well might be able to at about 3 months or so. If you ever lose milk supply, you can pump after feeding your baby. Talk to a laleche league person for more information.

Answer 10

I had awhopper 10 pound boy and although I seemed to be feeding him constantly I did produce enough milk. Its true that the more you feed them the more you produce. Second time round was a cinch, my biggest problem was stressing about it. Good luck and remember you know what feels right, don't let anyone else (however well meaning eg mother in law) tell you otherwise