Many mums worry whether their breasts produce enough milk. The doubts usually occur when a child often cries, demands breast more frequently than usual, breasts become soft and you do not need breast pads anymore. However, these factors do not indicate low milk supply.
Crying does not necessarily mean that your child needs more food - if he gains weight properly, there is another reason for crying. Increased milk demand occurs during developmental leaps - about 3, 6 and 12 week and 3 and 6 month of age. Then the baby may want to suckle all the time, and thanks to it milk production increases within 2-3 days in accordance with growing needs of the little one. Actual low milk supply can be suspected if baby's weight gain is insufficient, if he uses less than 6 diapers a day in the first month of life, and when he is constantly anxious. If this is the case you should consult a lactation specialist who will be able to determine the cause of inadequate milk supply and recommend appropriate action.
Lactation has not been properly activated during early breastfeeding due to mother's or child's health problems
Let down reflex was disturbed by stress, fatigue, pain, emotional problems
Reduced fluid and food supply, anemia
Long intervals between feedings - too rare and weak stimulation of milk production
Feeding a baby with formula without consulting your doctor - it reduces the number of breastfeeding sessions and limits lactation
Feed frequently. Do not give up night feedings.
Ask your family for help with daily chores. Try to rest a lot, especially in the first month after birth.
Do not feed the child who gains weight properly with infant formula..
Express milk with an electric breast pump between feedings. Effective expressing of large amounts of milk will increase its production.
Make sure to drink 2 liters of fluid a day and keep a healthy diet (frequent meals rich in vitamins, protein, calcium and other nutrients).
Drink nursing tea for breastfeeding women.
You can stimulate lactation by frequently expressing milk between feedings.
Mistakes made during breastfeeding and the lactation physiology may bring about temporary problems. Learn more about their causes and ways of solving them.
What determines the production and flow of breast milk? How does suckling take place? Answers to these questions are extremely helpful when solving lactation and baby's suckling problems.
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