Is it possible that I won't produce enough breast milk to feed baby?

Answer 1

It is possible but not likely. Few women are unable to produce adequate breast milk. It may seem at first as though you aren't producing enough, but it can take as long as 6 weeks for both you and your baby to become comfortable and proficient at breast feeding. It is more common than you might think for moms and babies to struggle with breast feeding problems in those first few weeks of life. I have 4 children and breast fed them all. My first was a difficult experience and it took about 3 weeks to feel like we both knew what we were doing. Lots of tears on both our parts. My middle 2 kids took to nursing like pros. My youngest had some problems and she was about 6 weeks old before I felt like she knew what she was doing. I knew how things could be so I was able to keep it up, but if she was my first, I would have stopped in frustration weeks before. It helps a lot to take a breast feeding class before the baby comes and take another in the hospital after the baby is born. Take advantage of the lactation consultant in the hospital and don't be hesitant to call when you get home. With my first, I had a lactation nurse who came to my house and helped me a lot. She gave me the motivation I needed to try it "just one more day". It helps to eat right, drink plenty of water, rest when you can, but you can still make plenty of breast milk even with a poor diet and little sleep. There are pills, special teas, and herbs promoted to help produce breast milk, but I did not use any of them.

Answer 2

it is extremely, extremely rare that you won't produce enough milk.

I want to quote another answerer, maegs, who said to someone else 'trust your body's ability to nourish your baby' - it has given it life for 9 months and can do so for many more once born!

As long as you follow good health practices and learn about breastfeeding and what to expect, it will be fine.

Many people interpret signs wrongly as not producing enough milk such as, baby feeding often, not being able to pump much milk, baby waking often at night, baby fussing during at feeds etc and ALL can be attributed to other things.

Babies are also more full after formula as it is more dense and fills their little tummies up more - this does not mean they are more satisfied, or have fed better or have managed to eat more - it just means the artifical stuff has clogged their tummy up more and this isn't necessarily better nor an indication your milk is 'bad'. (I formula fed my first, by the way.)

Read up at kellymom.com - you'll be fine.

* * * EDIT

re: daisyhill - I'm afraid I have it from more expert sources than you and your nurse that it is rare to not produce enough milk and not all medical/midwifery people have all the right knowledge to hand about breastfeeding, unfortunately.

newmom - how much you can pump is no indication of how much milk you can produce - I am still breastfeeding at 8 months and can't even pump as much s you can given all day. Not trying to make you feel you made the wrong decision - just making the point that it's no indication and that it's frustrating that the people we rely on for advice don't always have it right.

Answer 3

I had the opposite problem---(leaking, swelling, etc.) but nothing that wasn't manageable. Most experts (and nursing moms) will tell you that if you drink plenty of fluids yourself and eat an adequate diet you will be fine. That's why the recommended calorie intake for nursing moms is so high. It was wonderful to be able to eat as much as I wanted and still have baby fat coming off (not so wonderful to readjust to pre-pregnancy calorie levels after weaning!!)
I included a link to the La Leche League page that addresses milk supply. The rest of the site has lots more breastfeeding info, and you can probably find a "coach" (or whatever they call them) in your area for advise or help with specific questions or issues.
Good luck!

Answer 4

Yes, it is possible to not produce enough. Not all women can breast feed which is why there have always been "Wet Nurses".

A Wet Nurse is a woman that breast feeds your child for you if you are incapable.

My niece couldn't produce more than a small amount. She had to rely on formula to feed her three kids.

Answer 5

Yes. It just all depends on your body. Everyone is different. You might want to have a back up plan in case you can't breast feed. My son was premature and I didn't produce hardly any milk and if got very difficult to feed him, after a few days it just stopped producing completely.

Answer 6

I ate very healthy when I was pregnant and I did not produce enough milk for my daughter.

She lost almost a pound in 3 days because she was not getting anything!

Even when I pumped, the most I got was 2 oz combined!

She is, of course, formula fed and very healthy!!!

Answer 7

It's possible, but it's extremely unlikely. The vast majority of mothers (98%) produce enough if they follow the rules.

The Rules:
*Try to nurse the baby right after birth, like RIGHT after
*Nurse the baby as long as they want and whenever they want, yes, even every hour if they want to
*No pacifiers or bottles for 6-8 weeks
*No supplements
*Drink enough water and don’t starve yourself
*Be patient, nursing is a skill you and baby need to learn

Answer 8

If you have to deliver early, or have trouble eating and drinking enough fluids, it will effect you milk production. I wasn't eating and drinking enough and actually got weak and had to go to bed. I didn't listen to my mom when she was telling me this could happen. To this is very important to eat healthy as you can. What you eat can also get into the milk and cause the baby to have gas.

Answer 9

Go to a vitamin store like GNC & pick up Mother's milk all natural tea it tastes like licorice but it helps with milk production.. you may be dehydrated & don't smoke it lessens milk production. waiting to express also slows the milk production .. the more you pump the more you make.

Answer 10

Its very unlikely but it is possible.
Its important to try at first. The more the baby sucks the more your body will produce. If your concerned try pumping, or a lactation specialist.