How can I increase the calories in my breastmilk?

Question

My daughter is 3 mo. and only 10.5 pnds. She is gaining slowly but surely and satified in between meals, the doctor says she is fine, but in the 10th percentile. I am on a low carb diet but still drink plenty and get plenty of calories. My friends twins are 5 mo. and weigh 17.5 pnds. each. She eats ice cream and drinks milk, do you think that what you eat can effect the richness of my milk. I do eat healthy, but would love to fatten her up a little.

Answer 1

Unless you are drastically cutting your calories, your milk is fine. Even then, that might effect your supply (aka quanity) not the quality of your milk.
You cannot change the amount of fats/calories in your milk, but you can change the kinds of fats in your milk.
(For example if you have more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet more will come through your milk. These are found in fish.)
All babies grow differently. Just like adults they come in different shapes and sizes. If your dr feels that she is healthy, keep on doing what you are doing, mama! There is no need to "fatten her up" Keep in mind she will go through growth spurts here and there and will want to nurse more. Just nurse "on demand"... when she acts hungry, sticks fists in mouth, fusses, etc just put her to the breast. Let her set the pace.
Keep up the good work!

Here is more info on calories and fat in breastmilk:
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/change-milkfat.html

Answer 2

You cant do anything to change the content of your milk. Your body will produce exactly what your baby needs at the time.

Your daughter is simply petite.

Did you know that, when you nurse, a little of her saliva remains on the nipple after nursing and the nipple actually draws that in - then your body analyzes the saliva and adjustingly produces whatever your baby needs for the next feeding? Example: baby is getting a cold and is getting ready for a growth spurt. Breasts analyze to make more fatty milk, higher concentration of iron, more antibodies.

If your daughter needs fattier milk, thats what your body will produce. There is nothing you can do to change it. Just keep feeding her whenever she is hungry

Answer 3

I have had 5 small, low-end of the growth chart babies, who have all breastfed. It does not matter what you are eating, as long as you are getting enough calories. And adding lots of fatty foods will only put fat on you, not your little one!

If she is growing socially, showing coordination as she should, and being satisfied after nursing, just keep doing what you are doing. If you *do* anything, maybe try offering the breast more if she eats less often than every 2 hours. Otherwise just keep up the good Mothering!

Answer 4

I breastfed and my daughter was always in the negative percentile on the scale for 1 1/2 years. She grew slowly but was healthy. I ate well and she was satisfied too. My husband asked the doctor if she was going to be a "midget" (excuse the politically incorrectness). She is now 2 1/2 years old and in the 40th percentile. She is just below average in height and weight but 100% perfect. Don't worry about it, especially if your doctor tells you not to worry. Good luck! FAT babies aren't as cute as perfectly little chubby babies.

Answer 5

10th percentile still means she's bigger than 10 other babies out of 100!

If she starts LOSING weight is when to worry.

If you pump, you can fatten up the breastmilk by pumping, refridgerating the bottle, pumping again and adding the fat skimmed of the top of the first bottle to the second.

That is a lot of work if your baby is desperately in need of more calories.

Answer 6

This is a great question, thanks for asking! I have a one month old she weights about almost 9 pounds but then again she was 8.5 when she was born. I also like to eat healthy but I do add a little bit of "high fat" to my diet but good fats like nuts, milk etc.. to up the amount of calories and fat I take in. As a breastfeeding Mom you need to make up for about 500 calories a day to nurish you and baby. Best of luck!

Answer 7

You can't compare your baby to other babies b/c each baby gains weight and develops differently. For instance, my son is 4 months today and weighs 20 lbs. A lot of the babies I know that are 4 months are weighing between 10 and 15 lbs. It seems to me, your baby is doing just fine, especially if you say she's eating and satisfied. She's perfect!!! Don't worry about it!!!

Answer 8

babies grow at different rates and girls are usually smaller than boys. Yes what you eat affects your milk and more calories and things like milk,cheese and stuff would probably produce more calories and fat in your milk.