breastfeeding problem. What can i do to produce more milk, I'm worried my baby isn't not getting enough?

Question

my wife gave birth 3 days ago, and we think she hasn't got enough milk, is something we can do?

Answer 1

she has to drink more juices and milk as well...eat healthy vege.

Answer 2

Stop worrying for a start, that will inhibit things.
Usually at around 3 or 4 days the milk comes in with a vengeance. Until then the baby is getting colostrum which is essential as it contains antibodies. All babies lose a little weight in the first few days, they typically get it back after 10 days to 2 weeks.
Don't supplement the feed with formula as this will reduce time spent on the breast by baby, and breastfeeding is supply and demand. If the baby does not suckle as much she will produce less milk, so unless the midwife advises it, do NOT top up feed.
At the moment she will be having daily visits by the midwife, so talk to her about any concerns, she is a mine of information for new parents.
Good luck!

Answer 3

If she just gave birth 3 days ago, her milk has probably not come in yet. The milk usually comes in around 3-5 days postpartum. What you are experiencing is probably totally NORMAL and not a problem.

Right now she probably still has the thick, yellowish colostrum. DO NOT WORRY! Colostrum is still PLENTY for your baby. Remember baby's tummy is the size of his fist. He doesn't need a lot at a time and the colostrum is VERY important as it acts as his first immunization. Baby only needs TINY amounts right now.

Sometime in the next day or so your wife's milk will come in and she will probably experience some engorgement. It's important to keep nursing frequently right now. This is what is going to bring in the milk.

It is NORMAL for her to be feeding AT LEAST every 2 hours around the clock right now. That is 2 hours from the START of one feeding to the START of the next feeding. Breastmilk digests in about 90 minutes. She should keep nursing at least every 2 hours. Baby might have one longer stretch of sleep per day, no more than 3-4 hours at this age. Wake baby to eat at this young age if necessary. Feeding frequently is what is going to bring her milk in.

Call the local La Leche League Leader if you are concerned. She will help for FREE and might even come to your home since you have a newborn. You can also call the Lactation Consultant at the hospital where your child was born.

EDITED TO ADD:
DO NOT resort to supplements this early. It is too early to know if a mom actually has a supply problem if she is only 3 days postpartum. Her milk probably hasn't come in, as already stated. At this point her milk supply is homonally driven and is just switching over to be supply and demand.
ALSO....fenugreek is a good choice for moms who DO need extra help. BUT DO NOT TAKE FENUGREEK without checking out the link I'll include here. There are certain people who should NOT take fenugreek!
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/fenugreek.html

Answer 4

Congradulations!
As you give birth you single to the glands to produce the milk. The first few days it will be just colstrum with is real rich & good for your baby. As long as you are feeding the baby every two hours or so the milk will keep coming in and eventually she will get an over abundance and need to express some milk to get relief. It will start to level itself out about two months later. The important thing is to keep breastfeeding and NOT suppliment with formula. If the baby is having 8-10 week diapers a day then don't worry. What goes in most come out. You can drink lost of water and get lots of rest to insure good milk supply. Also keep taking prenatal vitamins and eat right.
Good luck! She can do it if I can & I have now for 4 months. My son doubled his weight in no time. Your child will too, just wait & see.

Answer 5

It's ok. Your milk doesn't really come in until about 4 days afte the baby is born. In the beginning, the body produces colostrum, which is a clear liquid.

It is liquid gold to your child and she should continue feeding the baby every 2-3 hours.

Once the milk comes in, you will be able to see it while the baby is feeding. You can detach it and a little will be at the corner of its mouth. That's how you can tell.

If you continue not to see the milk, call your doctor, or a lactation specialist at the hospital.

They recommended FenuGreek herbal pills to me to boost production. They work really well, but you need to give her time for the milk to come in before you do anything.

If you start taking the pills now, she will overproduce, then it will be more painful for her. The first two weeks are torture enough when you are just starting to breastfeed. Sore and cracked nipples, etc.

Best of luck.

Answer 6

The more she nurses the more milk that she will produce. It is true that a well balanced diet helps a lot. I also found that eating oatmeal made my milk richer. In I ate a lot of fruits and vegetables and drank plenty of water juice and got plenty of rest. I would also express milk in between feedings this caused my body to produce a lot of milk. At one point I was able to pump 8 oz bottles out in a matter of a few minutes (with the assistance of a really good electric pump, of course). By the way this worked for all of my children and I have five. Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 7

The best way to produce more milk is to feed the baby as the more u feed then the more is produced.Ur wife could also try expressing but I found this quite hard.I worried too but the first milk is more thick so just seems like there isn't much.Persevere !! Its the best thing for your baby.

Answer 8

At 3 days, your wifes milk may not yet have come in, and she may still be producing colustrum. When her milk does come in, she will know all about it for a few weeks while her body adjusts production to suit your baby.

In order to ensure supply, particularly in the early days while your wife and baby are getting to know each other, put baby to the breast often. Its a supply and demand principle - baby demands it by feeding more, mum responds by producing more. See http://www.kellymom.com/bf/index.html or www.babycentre.co.uk for more info.

Congratulations on your new arrival, and good luck with the breast feeding. It can be tough getting started, but is worth it in the long run. And remember, you have to ASK if you feel you need support, try La Leche League, google for local contact details.

Answer 9

Firstly, congratualtions......

Keep trying with the breastfeeding is my advice. The more the baby feeds the more the milk she will produce. It takes a few days for the milk to come in. She'll definately know when that happens.

A baby doesn't need a great deal in it's first few weeks anyway, as it's stomach is tiny.

Don't panic, relax and stick with it.........

If you still have problems after a week, speak to your health visitor and try forumula milk available from all supermarkets.

Answer 10

if you have lots of wet and dirty nappies then the baby is getting enough. Also your baby will let you know if it is still hungry , I had the same worries but you just need to keep going and talk to your midwife if you are worried. Make sure your wife is eating well and drinking plenty, and 3 days is very early days, she will still be just producing colostrum and her milk may not be through for another couple of days. Good luck

Answer 11

firstly congratulations!

having sucessfully breastfed my daughter (now 1) it is a thought that went through my mind constantly. your wifes body will produce enough milk to satify your baby at each feed. Ask her to offer her breast often to your child and if the child is hungry, they will feed. But dont feel like you are losing out; after about 4 weeks your wife should be able to express her milk into a bottle using a pump or by hand and then you can also have the pleasure of feeding your baby. enjoy!