Baby Feeding
<p><b>When to worry about breastmilk</b></p><p>As a new mum, you may worry about producing enough milk for your baby.</p>
<p>When your baby is born, the hormone prolactin cues milk production, and another hormone, oxytocin, causes tiny muscle cells in the breasts to contract, which pushes out the milk.</p>
<p>As you breastfeed, prolactin levels increase, and more milk is produced. This cycle is known as supply and demand, where your baby drains milk from your breasts and the breasts respond with more milk.</p>
<p>Although you may not be able to see how much milk you produce, there are signs that your baby isn’t getting enough milk. This may indicate a supply problem.</p>
<p><b>Low supply</b></p>
<p><b>Less wet and dirty diapers each day.</b> In the first weeks of your baby’s life, the number of wet and dirty nappies they produce is an indicator of the amount of food they’re getting.</p>
<p>A baby should be producing six to eight wet and dirty nappies per day. Breastfed newborns typically poop more often than formula-fed babies, and you can expect the poop to change from a black, tar-like colour after birth to a more greenish-yellow colour by day four to an orange-yellow appearance by about a week.</p>
<p><b>Lack of weight gain.</b> Breastfed newborns can lose up to 10% of their birth weight during the first five days of life. If they aren’t back to their birth weight by two weeks or gradually gaining weight after those first few weeks, speak to the doctor.</p>
<p><b>Signs of dehydration.</b> If you see signs of dehydration like less production of urine in several hours, no tears when crying, a sunken soft spot on their head, and/or excessive sleepiness or low energy levels, they may be dehydrated. Contact the doctor immediately.</p>
<p><b>Breastfeeding jaundice.</b> This happens when a baby who’s breastfed isn't getting enough milk and is struggling with nursing. This usually happens in the first week and can be treated with increasing feedings to help get rid of excess bilirubin (yellowish pigment).</p>
<p><b>When to call your baby's doctor</b></p>
<p>Your newborn may not be getting enough breastmilk if:</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>They aren’t breastfeeding well.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>They’re very sleepy and don’t wake up for most feedings.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>They have pink, red, or very dark yellow concentrated urine or less than six wet nappies a day after the fifth day of life.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>They’re crying, sucking, and showing signs of hunger even with frequent breastfeeding.</p>
<p><b>Takeaway</b></p>
<p>Speak to your doctor who will refer you to a lactation consultant to have your baby examined and your breastfeeding technique checked to ensure your baby is getting the right amount of nutrients.</p>
