How do my breasts produce a generous supply of milk?
Your breasts should produce a generous supply of milk if:
Typically, the more milk you remove from your breasts, the
more milk you will make. If your milk supply is low, there
is a good chance you can increase it by stimulating and
emptying your breasts more effectively. In general, the
longer your milk supply has been low, the longer it will
take to produce more milk. In some cases, it may not be
possible to increase a very low milk supply to normal levels
no matter what you do.
What causes a low milk supply?
Low milk supply is one of the most common breast-feeding
problems for nursing mothers. Frequent causes of a low milk
supply include:
having a non-demanding, sleepy baby who does not awaken
often enough to nurse or who does not suck vigorously
being separated from your baby during the first week
after delivery (for example, if your baby was sick and
you were not able to nurse or pump)
having a baby who sucks improperly and doesn't empty your
breasts well
regularly using formula supplement, causing your baby to
nurse less frequently
having a baby who sleeps though the night (7 or more
hours) without nursing
being ill yourself with complications after the delivery,
such as high blood pressure, anemia, or an infection
being under a lot of stress, going on a weight-loss diet,
or going back to work
having very sore nipples that make it hard for you to
breast-feed
having had previous breast surgery, especially if it
damaged your milk ducts.
A few women are unable to make sufficient milk even though
they are nursing a vigorous, healthy baby and using proper
technique. Sometimes no apparent cause can be found for a
mother's low milk supply. The popular myth that every woman
can breast-feed successfully is simply not true.
How do I increase my milk supply?
Try to nurse your baby more often.
If your baby is sleepy, undress your baby to wake her up.
Try switching breasts every 5 minutes.
If your baby is underweight, premature, ill, or has
neurologic problems, your doctor may recommend that you
limit the length of each breast-feeding so you don't tire
the baby. As your baby gets stronger, she can nurse for
a longer time. Meanwhile, your baby probably will need
extra feedings until your milk supply increases and she
gains more weight. You can use either infant formula or
breast milk that you have pumped for these extra
feedings.
Drink plenty of fluids, eat well, rest, and get support from friends and family.
Drink plenty of liquids each day and eat regular
nutritious meals, plus healthy snacks. Try to get
additional rest by doing only the bare necessities for at
least 2 weeks. Try not to get discouraged. Keep
thinking positively. Get help and support from your
close friends and family.
Pump your breasts.
Use a rented, hospital-grade, electric breast
pump--preferably with a double collection system--to pump
your breasts after feedings about every 2 to 3 hours.
Try to pump right after you nurse your baby. You can go
5 hours without pumping one time at night, but aim for 7
pumpings every 24 hours.
Record the amount of milk you pump each time. The
totals for each day will help you know how much your milk
supply is increasing.
Using an electric breast pump to stimulate and empty your
breasts is especially important if your baby needs extra
feedings of infant formula. Babies getting extra feedings
may nurse less often, and some who are fed with a bottle
will nurse less effectively.
To find where you can rent a pump, call Ameda/Egnell at
1-800-323-4060; Medela, Inc., at 1-800-Tell-You
(1-800-835-5968).
If you think your let-down reflex is inhibited, try the suggestions for conditioning your milk ejection reflex listed on the let-down reflex topic.
See The Let-Down Reflex
If you have physical problems, such as severely sore nipples
or a breast infection, your milk supply may increase as your
nipples heal or your infection is treated.
How do I give my baby extra feedings?
Remember, above all else, your baby's welfare is the most
important concern. If your baby is very underweight, the
doctor may decide that your infant needs to gain weight
fast. In this case the doctor may recommend giving your
baby formula or extra breast milk in addition to the breast
milk your baby gets from nursing. These extra feedings may
be necessary while you work on increasing your milk supply.
A seriously underweight infant is not in any condition to
stimulate more milk production by long sessions of nursing.
Regular use of a hospital-grade electric breast pump after
nursings will be more helpful in increasing your milk supply
while your baby catches up in his growth. Prompt
improvement in your baby's weight will reassure you and your
doctor about your baby's health. Your baby will probably
nurse better once he reaches a healthy weight.
When extra feedings are necessary, your expressed breast milk
or formula can be fed to your baby by bottle, cup, syringe,
or a device called a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS). The
SNS can give extra milk to your baby while you are
breast-feeding. The baby suckles both your breast and a little tube
connected to a bottle of formula or expressed breast milk.
The SNS can help a baby nurse more effectively by providing a
ready flow of milk at the breast. You can get an SNS from
Medela, Inc. (1-800-835-5968) or from a lactation consultant.
Make sure a health care provider shows you how to use the SNS
correctly. Incorrect use of the SNS can keep your baby from
getting the right amount of milk.
Bottles are usually the fastest way to feed an underweight
baby. Once a baby has reached a healthy weight, one of the
other, slower methods can be used. You should not try to
use one of these other feeding methods unless a lactation
consultant or a health care provider shows you how.
