Milk "Supply"
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Milk Production Potential
At Breastfeeding Housecalls, we prefer to call it "Milk Production Potential", since "supply" incinuates a limited amount.
When a mom has a good milk production potential, she is able to produce on-demand the amount of milk her baby needs. Her baby's latch, the frequency with which the baby removes the milk from her breasts and the amount removed is what sets the milk production potential. Usually, what does or doesn't happen at the breast within the first 6 weeks after birth, impacts what will happen at one month, 6 months or even at a year.
What Are Some Basic Things I Can Do To Ensure My Milk Production Potential Stays Adequate for My Baby?
Ideally, breastfeed or pump often (at least every 2-3 hours) during the first 6 weeks of life. Get plenty of rest (Yeah right! With a newborn?!), and let the baby end the feedings so that you know your baby has emptied your breast to their nutritional need. Practice a lot of skin-to-skin care (naked baby-with diaper-on a naked mommy chest). Also, only switch your baby to the second breast when your baby has truly lost sucking/swallowing vigor. Always offer the second breast, but only if the baby wants it. If your baby doesn't want it, start with the breast which was least emptied at the next feeding.
Stay away from the traditional advice of nursing for __ minutes on one side and __ on the next, as this could limit your production potential since baby is not being allowed to empty the breast based on their nutritional need.
Why Does It Seem Like So Many Moms Experience Low Milk Production Potential?
Research shows that nintey five percent of mom's start off having the anatomical and physiological capability to establish a good breastmilk production potential. However, the events surrounding birth can have a direct impact on mother's milk prouction potential and lead toward a higher number of mothers who struggle with "low milk supply". Although not in every case, it is well known that prolonged separation between a mother and her baby (such as when families have a baby in the NICU, or when a mom has a compelling medical need to be away from her infant) can impact some of the hormonal exchanges necessary to establish milk production potential. Sometimes, moms and babies have anatomical issues such as extremely inverted nipples* or tight frenelums (tongue tie)* which can potentially make it difficult for mom and baby to practice breastfeeding early on. Other times, formula is used soon in a baby's life to treat jaundice, low glucose levels or weight loss in infants, or parents used formula for their own reasons. When formula is used and a mother does not fully empty her breast for every formula feeding given, a mother's milk production potential can be seriously underminded.
What Can Do If I Feel My Milk Production Potenial Becomes Compromised?
Call an IBCLC before doing anything else. An IBCLC will assess your particular situation and may recommend (always with the ultimate say-so from your healthcare provider) the use of galactogogues (supplements which can help you make more milk), or help you create a breastfeeding or breast pumping routine that is conducive to more milk production.
Because galactogogues are usually herbal supplements, it is important to discuss their use and your health history, allergies and other medications used with an IBCLC and your doctor or midwife. A good example of why this is important is seen in the use of Fenugreek as a galactogogue. Fenugreek is related to peanuts, so a mother with peanut allergies should be discouraged from using Fenugreek for her health (and because using it can sensitize her infant), however most places (i.e. Internet boards, breastfeeding books, etc.) moms learn about Fenugreek do not state this precaution.
*Most moms and babies with anatomical variances can learn to effectively breastfeed. If you feel that you or your baby need more support, PLEASE contact an IBCLC since they are trained to creatively help all mothers and babies breastfeed to their potential.
At Breastfeeding Housecalls, we prefer to call it "Milk Production Potential", since "supply" incinuates a limited amount.
When a mom has a good milk production potential, she is able to produce on-demand the amount of milk her baby needs. Her baby's latch, the frequency with which the baby removes the milk from her breasts and the amount removed is what sets the milk production potential. Usually, what does or doesn't happen at the breast within the first 6 weeks after birth, impacts what will happen at one month, 6 months or even at a year.
What Are Some Basic Things I Can Do To Ensure My Milk Production Potential Stays Adequate for My Baby?
Ideally, breastfeed or pump often (at least every 2-3 hours) during the first 6 weeks of life. Get plenty of rest (Yeah right! With a newborn?!), and let the baby end the feedings so that you know your baby has emptied your breast to their nutritional need. Practice a lot of skin-to-skin care (naked baby-with diaper-on a naked mommy chest). Also, only switch your baby to the second breast when your baby has truly lost sucking/swallowing vigor. Always offer the second breast, but only if the baby wants it. If your baby doesn't want it, start with the breast which was least emptied at the next feeding.
Stay away from the traditional advice of nursing for __ minutes on one side and __ on the next, as this could limit your production potential since baby is not being allowed to empty the breast based on their nutritional need.
Why Does It Seem Like So Many Moms Experience Low Milk Production Potential?
Research shows that nintey five percent of mom's start off having the anatomical and physiological capability to establish a good breastmilk production potential. However, the events surrounding birth can have a direct impact on mother's milk prouction potential and lead toward a higher number of mothers who struggle with "low milk supply". Although not in every case, it is well known that prolonged separation between a mother and her baby (such as when families have a baby in the NICU, or when a mom has a compelling medical need to be away from her infant) can impact some of the hormonal exchanges necessary to establish milk production potential. Sometimes, moms and babies have anatomical issues such as extremely inverted nipples* or tight frenelums (tongue tie)* which can potentially make it difficult for mom and baby to practice breastfeeding early on. Other times, formula is used soon in a baby's life to treat jaundice, low glucose levels or weight loss in infants, or parents used formula for their own reasons. When formula is used and a mother does not fully empty her breast for every formula feeding given, a mother's milk production potential can be seriously underminded.
What Can Do If I Feel My Milk Production Potenial Becomes Compromised?
Call an IBCLC before doing anything else. An IBCLC will assess your particular situation and may recommend (always with the ultimate say-so from your healthcare provider) the use of galactogogues (supplements which can help you make more milk), or help you create a breastfeeding or breast pumping routine that is conducive to more milk production.
Because galactogogues are usually herbal supplements, it is important to discuss their use and your health history, allergies and other medications used with an IBCLC and your doctor or midwife. A good example of why this is important is seen in the use of Fenugreek as a galactogogue. Fenugreek is related to peanuts, so a mother with peanut allergies should be discouraged from using Fenugreek for her health (and because using it can sensitize her infant), however most places (i.e. Internet boards, breastfeeding books, etc.) moms learn about Fenugreek do not state this precaution.
*Most moms and babies with anatomical variances can learn to effectively breastfeed. If you feel that you or your baby need more support, PLEASE contact an IBCLC since they are trained to creatively help all mothers and babies breastfeed to their potential.