2007-02-20 08:21:00 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
How do you know you are getting very little milk? By pumping or by baby's growth and development?
Pumping: No pump can really duplicate a baby's suckling. A baby's suckling is the most effective way to stimulate the let-down reflex. Even if you cannot pump or hand express very much milk, you probably still make enough for baby.
Baby's growth: If baby is pooping and peeing adequately and developing normally, you are producing enough milik. Breastfed babies often have very different growth patterns than formula fed babes. The growth charts in ped's offices usually are based on decades old studies of formula fed babies and are really NOT applicable to bf'd babies. In addition, each baby grows at his or her own personal rate. Some babies are "skinny" and long. Some babies are petite. Some babies are big. All are normal if they are well fed, hydrated, and developing normally.
Baby's sucking needs: Sometimes breastfeeding moms think they must not be making enough milk b/c their babies want to suck ALL the time. Some babies have a very high sucking need (like my daughter did). They want to pacify at the breast a lot. This is NORMAL and FINE. They WILL grow out of it and it's perfectly okay to let them suckle as much as they want. In fact, all the extra suckling will definitely help supply. Babies often increase suckling when they are about to experience a growth spurt, are teething, are getting sick or already are sick, etc.
Boosting supply (nutrtion and hydration): You definitely need to keep yourself adequately fed and hydrated. Drink enough water for your body weight (0.5 oz per lb of body weight or 1 quart per 50lbs of body weight are 2 method of calculating water needs). Attend to your own nutrition by eating a balanced diet and add supplements as needed. You might want to avoid caffeine or limit it b/c it can be dehydrating.
Boosting supply (suckling and artificial nipples): If you ARE having supply issues, you probably want to ditch bottles and pacifiers until your supply is well built up. Nothing stimulates your supply like a baby's suckling. Supplementing w/ bottles and/or using pacifiers can alter baby's latch causing latch problems and decreases time at the breast which can only hurt your supply. Babies can sometimes develop a preferece for bottles b/c they are "easier" to suck from. Not only does this interfere w/ proper mouth and jaw formation, but it can damage the breastfeeding relationship.
Relaxation and visualization: Stress can inhibit the let-down reflex and interfere w/ the breastfeeding relationship. It sounds goofy, closing your eyes while nursing and using visualization can REALLY help. You could try to visualize milk just flowing from your breasts like a river. Stay relaxed and tell yourself that you are a breastfeeding goddess. You are the essence of abundance. This can be very powerful! Try bf'ing topless so you can see the milk start to drip from your free breast while your baby is triggering let-down on the other breast. It's amazing and a boost to your confidence to see how your body works.
Other let-down aids: You can try bf'ing baby in a warm bath, massaging your breasts before bf'ing, or using breast compressng during feeds. You can also use a breast pump on one breast while feeding w/ the other.
Supplements: There are natural supplements available for boosting supply. They should really only be used if you REALLY have a low supply b/c they can also lead to oversupply...which can be very uncomfortable and cause other nursing issues. Fenugreek, mother's milk tea, and a bowl of oatmeal daily are all ways I've heard of to boost supply. Kellymom.com has great resources for bf'ing moms and advice on boosting a low supply.
Meds: If none of the natural methods work, there are prescription meds. In my opinion, they should absolutely be a last resort b/c they can have risks and side-effects.
Check out the LLL website, Mothering.com, and Kellymom.com for great bf'ing info and help.
2007-02-20 08:43:41 · answer #1 · answered by Kari 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you mean that you're getting little milk during pumping, it's all right. The baby is the best pump for the human breast. Your breast really kinda has to be "trained" to the pump. When I started pumping, I was able to pump 10-12 ounces each time, three times a day. But as I continued, I had to adjust the settings on my pump because I'd barely get one ounce. Continue to nurse your baby as much as he wants and try pumping between nursings. Also, make sure you're staying relaxed while nursing and pumping, drinking plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and try to get some sleep (between all that pumping :) ). The best way to increase your milk volume is through the theory of supply and demand, the more you pump and nurse, the more you'll make. Good luck!
2007-02-20 08:27:15 · answer #2 · answered by Barbara B 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My doctor said that I should be sure to stay hydrated myself. Water, juice, milk, etc, staying away from caffiene and alcohol which will dehydrate you.
If you are a brand-new mom, relax, your production will come up as the baby's demand increases. Your milk has lots of vitamins and fat already, and most moms soon make enough for their little ones. I can remember wondering if the milk would ever stop (soaked thru nursing pads, nightgowns).
As long as your baby continues to have wet diapers, soft skin, a moist mouth and tears, he/she is not likely dehydrated.
You aren't the first mom to worry about this (we all did!)
2007-02-20 08:31:26 · answer #3 · answered by Sue 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try pumping more often... Drink a lot of fluids.. That might help as well... You milk supply should come in more as you pump more... How old is your baby? If it's a newborn, it won't be coming in alot quite yet because it doesn't know how much to produce yet... Just pump away hun and it will start coming
2007-02-20 08:28:00 · answer #4 · answered by Debbie B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let little one suck you 24/7 :) not really on breast just sucking very often and your brain will notice demand and next days you will have much more. You can try to use pump to pump after your baby finished to clean and store it for emergency... that way next time body will produce more. I have full freezer of my ilk i bought chest freezer just for baby milk :) Good luck, breastfeeding is about self confidence... all will be good!!! let him drink often!
2007-02-20 08:46:43 · answer #5 · answered by Silvia B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Drink lots of water. I used to make sure to have a large water bottle next to me, and drank a lot of water while I was pumping. I really didn't think it would work, but it really made a difference!!!
2007-02-20 09:40:50 · answer #6 · answered by ethan's mom 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
check out the La Leche League website: http://www.lalecheleague.org/
they are a non-profit organization dedicated to the breast feeding way of life.
2007-02-20 08:25:48 · answer #7 · answered by mini 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can put a hot/warm towel right before you are going to breastfeed.
2007-02-20 08:26:24 · answer #8 · answered by bskylue 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
YOU SHOULD EAT AND DRINK MORE IT WILL PRODUCE THE MILK THE BABY NEED'S. PLUS YOU SHOULD WATCH WHAT YOU ET BECAUSE IF YOU EAT SOMETHING SPICE. THEN THE BABY WOULD TASTE THE SPICEY FOOD IN THE MILK
2007-02-20 08:32:42 · answer #9 · answered by Jason C 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
drink more, eat more, and let baby nurse more
2007-02-20 08:25:51 · answer #10 · answered by nanabooboo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋