Low milk supply or lactation undersupply is the most common reason mothers give for early weaning.
Today we will review and explore solutions to this frustrating issue.
All of the above!
Lactation undersupply has many names… and basically means low milk supply. The struggle is real and is undeniably frustrating for both mother and baby, in fact it is the major reason why mothers decide to bottle feed.
FALSE!
The above signs do not indicate undersupply. Your milk supply may not be low at all, even though you may think that it is low. This is called perceived lactation undersupply.
Perceived lactation undersupply is mostly due to improper technique to breastfeed your baby.
If your little one is gaining enough weight and having enough wet diapers then they are well fed!
Exclusively breast-fed babies who have enough breast milk generally have a weight gain of 500-1000 grams per month (around 1-2 pounds) and wet diapers about 6-8 times a day.
If you have any concerns, always talk to your baby's healthcare provider.
What causes lactation undersupply?
Many factors can cause, contribute, or predispose to lactation undersupply. These include:
Factors in the baby such as prematurity/low birth weight, birth asphyxia, illness, and defects, e.g., tongue tie, cleft palate and congenital heart disease.
Factors in the mother such as maternal health (anemia, postpartum hemorrhage), smoking, inadequate glandular tissue resulting from hypoplastic breasts, breast surgery such as mastectomy, breast reduction, nipple piercing, or cyst removal; inadequate breast drainage, pain during breast-feeding, caused by - nipple trauma from inappropriate technique or practices, breast pain from inappropriate technique, nipple or breast pain from disease conditions.
Factors in the environmental and hospital practices: separation of the baby from the mother, early introduction of bottle feeds, use of pacifiers.
Other factors include: restriction of frequency or duration of feeds, poor motivation or ignorance leading to discontinuation of feeds for minor ailments, administration of infrequent strict time scheduled feeds, Inappropriate management of local problems in the breast, e.g., flat and sore nipples, engorgement, retracted, short, or too large nipples, sedation (also influences the baby), over-anxiety, excessive fatigue, and drugs, e.g., oral contraceptives
Babies usually go down from their birth weight, but regain birth weight by two weeks (10 to 14 days of life) and then continue to put on 5-7 oz (150-200 grams) per week.
Diagnosis of undersupply is made:
When your milk is not sufficient, your baby does not feel satisfied after feedings, cries a lot, wants to nurse frequently, takes very long feedings, and does not gain adequate weight (loses more than 10% of birth weight, failing to regain birth weight up to 2 weeks of life), no urine in 24 hours, and absence of yellow stools in the first week.
If your baby wets less than 4-6 diapers each day.
If your baby accepts both breasts at every feeding and still seems hungry after feeding ( rooting or sucking on fingers).
If you pump within 15-20 minutes of completing a breastfeeding session, and get less than an ounce from each breast. Or you collect an equivalent of an ounce when you pump after 2-3 hours after breastfeeding.
TRUE! The more milk you take out, the more milk your breasts make!
Breastfeed more. Try to feed at least 8-12 times per day, and empty the breasts more fully each time by letting your baby suckle on each breast more than once and express milk after feedings. The more times per day that milk is effectively removed, the faster your milk supply will increase. Focus on the number of feedings rather than the time between feedings per day.
Here are some other basic steps to take to ensure adequate supply:
Your own nutrition is important - Make sure you are eating three healthy meals and about three healthy snacks per day for calorie intake. Oatmeal is said to help with milk supply, although not evidence-based it is a very nutritious, whole grain option for breakfast.
Drink enough water to make your urine light yellow, do not take more than necessary.
Check and improve your baby’s latch. Make sure your baby has a good latch on and is positioned properly. Look for signs that your baby is swallowing. A more effective latch will help your baby remove more milk from your breast, thereby signaling your body to make more.
If your baby stops nursing actively or falls asleep within ten minutes at breast, stimulating the baby to breastfeed actively for longer, you can also reposition your baby to the other breast.
Don't skip breast-feeding sessions, pump your breasts when you miss a breast-feeding session, this will protect your milk supply.
Use the double pump method which has been found to increase milk supply faster. Pump both breasts at the same time for 10-15 minutes either right after feedings or after about half an hour. When you drain your breasts effectively, milk production is increased. As much as possible, pump for another two minutes after you see the last drop of milk, or pump for 20-30 minutes, whichever comes first.
Decrease supplementation. If your baby is younger than one month, consider supplementing with a feeding method other than bottles, such as a cup, syringe, or spoon. Gradually decrease the supplementation as your milk supply increases.
Try herbs or other medications to increase milk. Fenugreek is an herb known to increase your supply. Fenugreek has long been used as a galactagogue (substance that increases milk production), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given it a rating of GRAS (generally recognized as safe). Discuss with your healthcare provider before you take it, as it can interact with some prescription and over-the-counter medications. Take a higher dose of three capsules (of about 500mg each) three times daily to increase your milk supply.
If you're unable to produce enough milk, despite all the efforts, and you would like feed your baby with breastmilk, you can find a local milk bank, where moms with extra breast milk donate what they have for women in need.
Seek professional help. Sometimes just talking to a Certified Lactation Specialist puts your mind at ease, and helps you relax, which is a key ingredient to a healthy breastfeeding relationship
Remember that this is one of the most common reasons mothers stop breastfeeding before they intend to. Be proactive, get support so you can reach your goal!
MaternalWell text support is here for you for any general questions! For more specific concerns, you can book consultation with our licensed lactation consultant or reach out to your healthcare provider.
