Low Milk Supply

Do I have low milk supply?

Low milk supply is sometimes a breastfeeding problem that many Moms think they have when they do not! "assumed" low milk supply is a common breastfeeding problem. Moms sometimes use the wrong signs to judge milk supply. Here are some tips on how to determine if you have low supply:

* Weight gain. If baby is gaining well then baby is getting enough milk.

* Is your baby having plenty of wet “urine” nappies?

It is normal for a baby to first lose weight before gaining. It is likely that your baby will regain birth weight by about two weeks.

First Read:

Understanding how milk production works

Is my baby drinking enough breast milk

Sometimes when baby starts to drink more than usual and becomes fussy at the breast, Mom might think that her milk supply has gone down, but in actual fact most of the time it has nothing to do with her supply and all to do with baby going through a growth spurt; read more on this here.

This page will discuss reasons for low milk supply; things you can do while breastfeeding that will increase your milk supply. But firstly, I want to pinpoint some main reasons for low milk production.

Healthy-Healing-Oils.com: Learn why coconut oil in mother's diet helps supply the medium-chain fatty acids found naturally in mother's milk, making it rich in these health improving nutrients.

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Common Reasons for Low Milk Supply

* The most common reason is stress. So, try to relax and start to do things that you know will calm you. After I gave birth, things where so hectic that I stopped looking after myself; I stopped doing things that I loved doing like reading, taking long bubble baths and pampering myself. Breastfeeding stress tips.

* If your baby is not latching on properly, you will not be receiving enough breast stimulation necessary for optimum milk production. For a more detailed explanation on this, visit the latching on page.

* Breast and nipple shapes can also influence whether or not your baby latches successfully and therefore the breasts do not get enough stimulation to produce milk. Read more about breastfeeding with flat or inverted nipples.

* Overuse of a pacifier. Read more on pacifier use if breastfeeding.

* Use of a nipple shield. Using a nipple shield decreases the amount of stimulation to the breast.

* Another major reason why most women are not producing enough milk is because they do not have their babies at the breast long enough or frequently enough. You need to really commit yourself; it could be difficult the first few weeks, if you have a low milk supply. The good news is that your milk supply should increase as time goes by. If you need to get back to work, you can also continue to breastfeed. Read more on working and breastfeeding here.

* Insulin dependent diabetes... read more on breastfeeding with diabetes here.

* It is assumed that about 1% of women have physiological trouble (usually related to their metabolism) that prevents them from producing enough milk to feed their baby.

* Obesity is a risk factor for the delayed onset of milk production and low milk supply.

* When Moms receive intravenous fluid by constant drip, this can lead to edema (swelling from excessive accumulation of watery fluid in cells, tissues, or serous cavities) and setback the onset of milk production.

* Breastfeeding problems that baby might have namely: Conditions in the mouth and sucking problems , food sensitivities or allergies, being premature (born before the development of the suck/swallow/breathe reflex)

* Supply-reducing foods and herbs such as large amounts of mint teas and candies, parsley and sage, and sour foods and herbs.

* Hormonal changes. Sometimes when a woman starts menstruating or becomes pregnant, her supply will become less.

* Taking oral contraceptive pills containing oestrogen (a general term for female steroid sex hormones that are secreted by the ovary and responsible for typical female sexual characteristics) can lower your milk supply. Read more about contraceptives and breastfeeding here.

* Smoking can lower your milk supply.

Other things that can cause low milk supply, but that are rare...

* Inadequate breast tissue. Breastfeeding with tubular hypoplastic breasts.

* Breast surgery, Anaemia (a deficiency of red blood cells) in the Mom.

* Polycystic ovarian syndrome (ovaries containing many cysts/sores/ulcers/growths) can also create low supply. (Read more on PCOS and what you can do if it is affecting your breastfeeding).

* Sheehan’s Syndrome: When the pituitary gland (master gland of the endocrine system; located at the base of the brain) is temporarily starved of blood due to hemorrhaging (bleeding) during birth, and as a result no longer produces enough hormones of lactation.

* Retained placenta: If a mother's milk has not "come in" and she continues to experience abnormal bleeding after delivery, she may still be retaining pieces of the placenta within her uterus. (This is also possible with a C-section).

* Psychological issues: Some women are not capable of breastfeeding because of preconceived ideas about it, or ideas placed in their minds by their parents and friends

* Hypothyroidism: (low thyroid hormone): This can be corrected with medication and is another cause of low milk supply.

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How to Boost Milk Production Naturally

* Milk thistle, Blessed thistle, Fennel seed, Alfalfa and Anise seed are sometimes prescribed to increase breast milk (read more on safe herbs while breastfeeding here)

* More frequent feedings at the breast and the use of a pump in-between feedings.

* Warm compresses to the breast may help in milk let down.

* Many mothers have found that relaxation and visualization techniques help. There are tapes that mothers can listen to that are specially made to help them relax and visualize milk removal.

* Oatmeal has been proven to increase a woman's milk supply. The added iron in your diet will help with milk production.

* Mothers Milk Tea is a drink for mothers with low milk supply. It usually contains sweet fennel seed, anise seed, coriander seed, spearmint leaf, lemongrass leaf, lemon verbena leaf, althea root, blessed thistle herb, and fenugreek seed.

* Fenugreek supplement or Fenugreek seeds: This is one of the greatest milk stimulating herbs and can start increasing your milk supply within 24 hours. (Not for you, if you have any nut allergies) Read more on breastfeeding and fenugreek here.

* Drink plenty of water and juices, fluids are vital in your body's milk production.

* Breastfeeding requires at least an extra 500 calories per day. Read more on breastfeeding diet guidelines.

* To maximize milk production you can use breast massage; this will increase breast drainage so that the signal to the breast to make more milk is improved. An easy and efficient way to maximize removal of milk is to massage the breasts before and during feeding (or pumping).

* Breast compression: Use your hand and push out any leftover milk that has not moved through your breasts. When baby is nibbling, compress the breast gently, but firmly (not too hard; do not hurt yourself!)

* Seaweed: Koreans traditionally use seaweed soup as a remedy/tonic for new moms to help stimulate milk production.

* Quinoa: A grain has been used by traditional societies during lactation and is said to boost milk production.

* While you are feeding, stroke and calm your baby using a lot of skin-to-skin contact; enjoy his sweet face and the feel of his skin. This will help your milk ejection reflex…and help you to relax.

* Make sure that all of the milk is removed from your breasts after each feeding. If there is milk left in the breasts, it tells the body that it does not need to make as much and therefore leads to low milk supply.

* Try nipple stimulation. Nipple stimulation releases oxytocin into the bloodstream, which is the hormone responsible for the milk ejection reflex.

Read more on the different Galactagogues that help with milk production

Medications that Enhance Milk Production:

Domperidone, Reglan (Reglan does often have side-effects, such as depression)

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Does breast size matter in relation to breastfeeding and milk supply?

No! I have seen Moms with small breasts produce large amounts of milk. Breast size mainly determines the storage capacity, not milk production. Women with large breasts usually produce milk at slower rates since they can store a lot, while women with small breasts will produce milk at faster rates in order to meet the requirements of baby that will drain the breasts faster.

Pumping to Increase Milk Supply

* Use an electric pump instead of a hand pump. Hand pumps are helpful for occasional pumping, but a lot of mothers find it to be arduous (difficult; demanding) and time-consuming if used more than once in a day. Use a hospital-grade pump; they work better. Also, buy a hands-free setup for your pump to make things easier for yourself.

* Using hand massage and hand compression while pumping, increases milk volume; it also drains the breast better and faster.

* Try pumping every two hours around the clock for a few days to boost supply.

* Pump for at least 20 minutes per session.

* Always pump after baby is done nursing.

More on breast pumps and pumping tip.

Supplemental Feeding:

Bottle feeding can be detrimental (harmful; damaging) in the early days of a nursing relationship. By having your own supplemental feeding device, you can manage how your baby is supplemented after birth.

The most common devices deliver the supplement to the baby via a small, flexible tube that is taped or placed on the mother’s nipple. The baby takes both the tube and the mother’s nipple into the mouth and receives the supplement while nursing at the breast. Read more on this here.

Read more on combination feeding "mixing breast milk and formula"

Other methods include finger-feeding and bottle-feeding.

Will I ever have enough milk?

Low milk supply experts state that the time spent nursing or pumping develops mammary gland (milk-giving gland) and nerve tissue, and that this improves chances for breastfeeding the next baby. By the time the second or third child comes along, most Moms are able to fully nurse their babies. Breastfeeding on demand will increase your chances of a full milk supply.

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Sometimes with all these measures taken above, you may still have a low milk supply. Depression, anger and denial are all common reactions to what can come as a blow to the new Mommy. A lactation specialist or postpartum counselor may be able to help you work through your frustration and depression.

Other Useful Pages on "breastfeeding problems" in connection with Low Milk Supply:

- Herbs and breastfeeding

- Breastfeeding after a c section