Poor Milk Supply

Almost all women don’t have a problem with producing enough milk to breast feed. The ideal way to make sure that your baby is getting enough milk is to be sure that he’s well positioned, attached to the breast, and feed him as often as he gets hungry.

Some mom’s that are breast feeding will stop before they want to, simply because they don’t think they have enough breast milk.

There are signs that might make you believe your baby isn’t getting enough milk. If your baby seems hungry or unsettled after feeding, or if he wants to feed often with short pauses between feedings, you may think he isn’t getting enough milk - which are often times not the case.

There are however, two reliable signs that let you know your baby isn’t getting enough milk. If your baby has poor or really slow weight gain, or is passing small amounts of concentrated urine, he’s not getting enough milk.

All babies will lose weight within the first few days after birth. Babies are born with supplies of fat and fluids, which will help them keep going for the first several days.

Once your baby regains birth weight, he should begin putting on around 200g for the first four months or so. To get back to their birth weight, it normally takes a few weeks.

If the weight gain for your baby seems to be slow, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or nurse to observe you breast feeding. This way, they can make sure that your technique is right and if they think your baby is breast feeding often enough.

To help you with your breast feeding, here are some ways that you can increase your supply of milk:

1. Be sure that your baby is positioned correctly and attached to your breast.

2. Let your baby feed for as long and often as he wants.

3. If you feel that your baby isn’t breast feeding enough, offer him more breast feeds.

4. During each breast feed, make sure you feed from both breasts.

5. If your baby has been using a dummy, make sure you stop him.

6. Some babies may be sleepy and reluctant to feed, which may be the cause of problems with milk supply.  

By following the above tips, you’ll do your part in making sure you have enough milk when it comes time to breast feed. If you are uncertain or have other questions, be sure to ask your doctor, as he can answer any type of question you may have.

How To Use A Breast Pump To Pump Your Milk

You're probably aware that breast milk is the best food for your newborn child and it is widely known that breastfeeding until a normal weaning age provides significant health benefits to both of you. However, continuing to breastfeed until this time requires some planning and preparation. Also, resuming parts of your lifestyle will be important to regain some balance in your life. There will no doubt be times when either you intend to be away from your child for a period or when breastfeeding would feel uncomfortable.

Expressing milk for later use is a way that you can spend some time away from your child or choose not to breastfeed while still providing your child with breast milk and those significant health benefits.

Using a breast pump is a skill, just like breastfeeding, that needs to be learnt.

It is normal when using a breast pump for the first time for mothers to be only able to express a few drops of breast milk so don't worry if this happens to you. However, with some practice and the right knowledge you can quickly become more efficient at using a breast pump.

The following is the best way to prepare to use your breast pump.

1. Firstly make sure that you read and understand all the instructions carefully.

2. You will need to ensure that every part of the breast pump has been properly sterilized before using it.

3. After using your breast pump you need to ensure that all of the parts have been washed thoroughly. This is best done by washing with warm soapy water and then rinsing completely in hot water before being dried by draining on a clean towel. You must then allow sufficient time for it to drain and dry completely.

4. You can if you wish, or your doctor advises, sterilize the whole thing every day.

5. If you opt to start with an electric breast pump you should start with the lowest available suction level.  

How To Get Started

Start with warm compresses and this with gentle massages of the breast and some gentle stimulation of the nipple as this will help you to stimulate a quick let down.

It is important that you always relax when doing breast massages during your pumping. You may find it preferable to close your eyes and think about nursing your baby and actually imagining that you have your baby in your arms. What you're trying to achieve is real relaxation as this will give you a better let down and will enable you to effectively dispense more milk.

You may find it helpful to consider your first attempts at using a breast pump as just practice sessions with the main goal being to learn how to use your breast pump rather than focusing on how much breast milk is actually expressed.

If you are using a hand pump you should try and use quick and short pumps at the beginning for stimulation as this copies more closely the way that your baby feeds. After your let down has happened and your milk begins to flow more freely you should find that longer steadier strokes will be more effective and much less tiring.

When you first learn to use your breast pump you should practice for 5 minutes on each side at least once but preferably twice a day. You should find that pumping in the least stressful part of your day and actually being in your relaxed nursing area will help you tremendously.

The First Six Weeks

Breast milk is the best food you can give to your baby. Breast milk is a complete food source, containing all the nutrients your baby need - at least 400 of them to be exact, including hormones and disease fighting compounds that aren’t found in formula.

The nutritional makeup in breast milk will adjust to your baby’s needs as he or she grows and develops. Aside from the brain building, infection fighting benefits of breast milk, which no formula can match, nursing will also help to build a special bond between you and your baby. When nursing, your child thrives on the contact, cuddling, and holding - which you will as well.

Since breast feedings can take up to 40 minutes or more, you should pick a cozy spot for nursing. The atmosphere is very important, even more so in the early days of breast feeding when you’re still trying to get the hang of it. If you get easily distracted by noise, go somewhere quiet.

You should always hold your baby in a position that won’t leave your arms or back sore. It works the best to support the back of your baby’s head with your hand, although which position you choose depends on what’s more comfortable to you.

When supporting your baby, a nursing pillow can sometimes be a big help. You should never feed until both you and your baby are comfortable. Pay attention to how your breasts feel when your baby latches on, as his mouth should cover most of the areola below the nipple, and the nipple should be far back into your baby’s mouth.

While some women adjust to breast feeding easily, other moms find it hard to learn. If you feel discouraged, always know that you aren’t the only one.  

Everyone feels different when starting, it all depends on the mother and the situation.

Breast feeding will take practice. Therefore, you should give yourself as much time as you need to get it down to second nature. Always take it one feeding at a time. If you are having a bad day, tell yourself that it’ll get better. Keep in mind that any problems are temporary, as you’ll be nursing like a pro by your six week postpartum checkup.

The first six weeks will be both an adventure and training. You can’t expect to know everything when you begin, which is where training and practice will really help you excel. The more you breast feed, the more you’ll learn. You’ll also build a bond with your baby - which is something you’ll always have for the rest of your lives.  

Breast Feeding Complications 

Sore nipples

A lot of mothers complain about tender nipples that make breast feeding painful and frustrating. There is good news though, as most mothers don’t suffer that long. The nipples will toughen up quickly and render breast feeding virtually painless.

Improperly positioned babies or babies that suck really hard can make the breasts extremely sore.

Below, are some ways to ease your discomfort:

1. Make sure your baby is in the correct position, since a baby that isn’t positioned correctly is the number one cause of sore nipples.

2. Once you have finished feeding, expose your breasts to the air and try to protect them from clothing and other irritations.

3. After breast feeding, apply some ultra purified, medical grade lanolin, making sure to avoid petroleum jelly and other products with oil.

4. Make sure to wash your nipples with water and not with soap.

5. Many women find teabags ran under cold water to provide some relief when placed on the nipples.

6. Make sure you vary your position each time with feeding to ensure that a different area of the nipple is being compressed each time.  

Clogged milk ducts

Clogged milk ducts can be identified as small, red tender lumps on the tissue of the breast. Clogged ducts can cause the milk to back up and lead to infection. The best way to unclog these ducts is to ensure that you’ve emptied as completely as possible. You should offer the clogged breast first at feeding time, then let your baby empty it as much as possible.  

If milk remains after the feeding, the remaining amount should be removed by hand or with a pump. You should also keep pressure off the duct by making sure your bra is not too tight.

Breast infection

Also known as mastititis, breast infection is normally due to empty breasts completely out of milk, germs gaining entrance to the milk ducts through cracks or fissures in the nipple, and decreased immunity in the mother due to stress or inadequate nutrition.

The symptoms of breast infection include severe pain or soreness, hardness of the breast, redness of the breast, heat coming from the area, swelling, or even chills.

The treatment of breast infection includes bed rest, antibiotics, pain relievers, increased fluid intake, and applying heat. Many women will stop breast feeding during an infection, although it’s actually the wrong thing to do. By emptying the breasts, you’ll actually help to prevent clogged milk ducts.

If the pain is so bad you can’t feed, try using a pump while laying in a tub of warm water with your breasts floating comfortably in the water. You should also make sure that the pump isn’t electric if you plan to use it in the bath tub.

You should always make sure that breast infections are treated promptly and completely or you may risk the chance of abscess. An abscess is very painful, involving throbbing and swelling. You’ll also experience swelling, tenderness, and heat in the area of the abscess. If the infection progresses this far, your doctor may prescribe medicine and even surgery.  

Refusal To Breast Feed

Sometimes, a baby that is breast fed may suddenly decide to refuse breast feeding. The baby will pull away from the breast, then toss his head from side to side. This can happen at anytime, so there really is no way to predict it happening.  

Solving the problems

First, you should always try to identify what may have caused the breast refusal then begin to treat the cause. Always remain patient and gentle with your baby. Be sure to hold your baby next to you, skin to skin, so that he can take the breast when he wants to, so that he begins to realize that breast feeding is both enjoyable and comfortable.

Older babies may suddenly take shorter and fewer breast feeds, although this can be normal with some babies. Therefore, it’s always best not to try and make the baby feed longer, but instead let the baby decide how often and also how long each individual feeding will last.