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Baby Feeding

Will I make enough milk to breastfeed?Tips and advice for new mums As a new mum, you may worry about having enough milk supply for your little one. This concern is valid as you may not be too sure of what could happen. Low milk supply is a common concern among mums new to breastfeeding, if you're worried, know that you're not alone. Truth is, a small number of new mums have difficulty producing enough breastmilk due to medical reasons like previous breast surgeries, breast trauma, a rare medical condition called mammary hypoplasia, where there isn't enough milk-producing glandular tissue within the breast, a history of polycystic ovarian syndrome, diabetes, thyroid or other hormonal disorders. Understand milk production As early as the third month 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 body is capable of breastfeeding. 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 to push the milk out. As you breastfeed your baby, your prolactin levels increase, and more milk is produced. This happens in a continuing cycle of supply and demand, as your baby drains milk from your breasts (demand), and your breasts respond by producing more milk (supply). The best way to establish a normal supply of breastmilk is to start early, breastfeed frequently and make sure your baby is latching correctly. Is your baby getting enough milk? Your baby is getting enough milk if he: •    Goes through six to eight wet nappies in 24 hours including at least a few dirty nappies. •    Wakes up for feeds by himself and feeds vigorously at the breast. •    Has eight to 12 breastfeeds in 24 hours. •    Passes a soft yellow stool. •    Sleeps well after most feeds. •    Gains on average 150g or more every week for the first three months. Is your supply low? Low milk supply is usually a temporary situation that will improve with breastfeeding support and management. Milk supply is low if you're not producing enough milk to meet your baby's normal growth and development needs. As we have touched on the supply and demand matter; the more milk is removed from the breast, the more milk is made. The less milk removed, the less made. Increase your supply: •    Ensure that your baby is latching well and suckling efficiently. •    Make sure your breasts are emptied well at each feed or pumping session; you can express after breastfeeds to make sure. •    Be prepared to feed your baby more frequently, on-demand or at least eight times in 24 hours. •    Switch your baby from one breast to the other; offer each breast twice. •    When your baby is feeding, practise hand expressing/breast massage to help with milk flow and encourage more effective sucking. •    Drink lots of water and eat a healthy diet. •    Rest as much as possible between feeds. •    Avoid going longer than five hours without milk removal, through nursing or by hand or electric pump. •    Avoid alcohol and smoking. If you’re still worried about your milk supply or thinking of switching to formula, ask a doctor or at the clinic to get the support you and your baby need.

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