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Wondering if you're producing enough breast milk? Here's how to tell, plus tips for increasing your milk supply if baby's not getting his fill. Back to Top In This Article
Breastfeeding can be stressful for new moms, especially if you’re worried about producing enough breast milk to keep baby happy and healthy. Unlike bottle-feeding, where you can tell exactly how much your baby is drinking, breastfeeding is “blind”; your breasts aren't see-through, so you can't know how much milk you have and how much your baby is taking. That may lead some new moms to wonder: Am I making enough breast milk? Is my newborn getting enough to eat, or could I have a low milk supply? Here's some help decoding the situation. What causes low milk supply?As early as month 3 of pregnancy, your breasts start to prepare for breastfeeding, developing the glandular tissue needed to produce milk and increasing the number of milk ducts in your breasts. By the end of the second trimester, your (amazing) body is capable of breastfeeding. But the changes don’t stop there. Once your baby is born, a hormone called prolactin cues milk production, and another hormone, oxytocin, causes tiny muscle cells in the breasts to contract, pushing milk out. As your baby nurses, your prolactin levels increase and more milk is produced, in a continuing cycle of supply and demand: Baby drains milk from your breasts (demand), breasts respond by producing more milk (supply). It’s not always clear what causes low milk supply. While breast milk production is influenced by the cycle of supply and demand, researchers still have a long way to go in understanding all the factors that may influence or hinder breast milk production. That said, ensuring adequate demand is a good place to start. Common “demand” culprits include:
How do you know if your milk supply is low?Signs your baby is getting enough milkEven though it’s difficult to tell how much milk is coming out of your breasts unless you’re pumping, there are a number of signs that your baby is fully satiated. Continue Reading Below Read This Next
Signs your baby may not be getting enough milkThe clearest indicator of a problem is lack of weight gain. While most infants lose weight immediately after birth, full-term babies should lose no more than 7 percent of their birth weight in the first few days after birth, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (However, a slightly greater weight loss can be normal, too — but it does warrant an earlier first visit to the pediatrician.) By the time they're 10 days old or so, babies should return to their birth weight and start gaining 4 to 7 ounces on average per week. If your baby isn’t gaining enough or is losing weight, that’s an indication he’s not getting enough milk. It’s worth noting that there are several unreliable ways to determine if your milk supply is adequate, including the way your breasts feel (full or empty), the letdown sensation (or lack thereof), the frequency and/or length of feedings, the fact that your baby may take a full bottle after a nursing session, the absence of leaking milk or the amount of breast milk you're able to pump. Research has also shown that temporary weight loss in newborn infants immediately after birth might lead moms to think they’re not producing enough milk and start supplementing right away, leading to a potential issue with breast milk supply and demand. How to increase your milk supplyTalk to your health care provider, pediatrician or lactation specialist as soon as possible if you are concerned that you’re not producing enough milk, or if your baby’s weight gain is slower than expected. While not all cases of low milk supply are caused exclusively by demand issues, that may be the case for you. Increasing your milk supply if you're breastfeedingThere are a few steps you can take to help boost your milk supply if you're breastfeeding:
Increasing your milk supply if you're exclusively pumpingThere are a few reasons women choose to pump exclusively in order to feed their babies, including work schedules, latching problems or a baby who’s been hospitalized for an extended period. But some women also prefer exclusive pumping, which is also called "EP" or "EPing" — and some of the same supply tips as above also apply here. EP mamas should strive to eat well, get enough sleep and drink plenty of water throughout the day to ensure good hydration. And EPers likely need a hands-free double pump in order to maximize output every time. Here are some more tips for the pumping-only set:
Low milk supply is a common concern among moms new to breastfeeding and pumping — so if you’re worried, at least you’re not alone. Talk to your practitioner or a lactation specialist to get the support you need. In the meantime, know that you are a great mom because of how much care and love you give your baby — and love can’t be measured in ounces of milk. From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
Was this article helpful? What Our Community Is Talking AboutJoin inHow do I increase my milk supply fast?You can increase your milk supply by:. Nursing your baby often. ... . Nurse your baby at least 15 minutes at each breast. ... . Gently massage breast before and during feedings.. Use relaxation techniques to reduce stress and promote the flow of breast milk.. Provide skin to skin time with your baby for about 20 minutes after feeds.. How can I naturally increase my milk supply?How to increase breast milk production. Breastfeed more often. Breastfeed often and let your baby decide when to stop feeding. ... . Pump between feedings. Pumping between feedings can also help you increase milk production. ... . Breastfeed from both sides. ... . Lactation cookies. ... . Other foods, herbs, and supplements.. What food helps produce breast milk?Consuming chicken, eggs, tofu, and seafood has been associated with increased milk volume. Plus, eating protein-rich foods can help keep you full between meals. Fennel. Fennel may have galactogenic properties according to some scientific research .
What are the reasons for low milk supply?Various factors can cause a low milk supply during breast-feeding, such as waiting too long to start breast-feeding, not breast-feeding often enough, supplementing breastfeeding, an ineffective latch and use of certain medications. Sometimes previous breast surgery affects milk production.
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