Just about every breastfeeding mother will have a period of worrying about whether her milk supply is sufficient to meet her infant's needs. Now, some mothers have reason to worry and aren't producing enough milk for their babies. This is actually very rare, according to many experts.
Many women who think their milk supply is low are simply incorrect about that. They may think this because of some of the previous symptoms of fullness disappearing. Maybe their milk stops leaking, or they don't have a feeling of fullness in the breasts any more.
This can be related to the baby's growth, though, and not indicate milk flow problems. Babies have periods when they grow more quickly. When this happens, it can mean that the baby will leave the breasts more fully drained.
Causes of reduced production: Your milk supply may diminish temporarily for several reasons. One common cause is not feeding the baby frequently enough. This is often due to pain in the nipples while nursing, or to a poor latch technique by the baby. Illness can also make a woman's milk supply dip, as can taking birth control pills with estrogen in them.
What to do: If you think that you are experiencing a decrease in milk supply, check with your doctor. He or she can test you to make sure that there is nothing truly wrong. You will need to make sure the baby is eating frequently enough, and that there are no problems with the nipples or milk ducts.
This is especially critical if your baby stops gaining weight, or even starts losing weight. If that occurs, contact your doctor right away. If you are not imagining the drop in milk but are actually experiencing a drop in production, it can affect your baby.
You may be taught better feeding techniques. Normally this will help. If there has been a fluctuation in the baby's weight, this is a more serious concern.
Even with a lower milk supply, you can usually still nurse. Actually, continuing to nurse can be critical because frequent breast feeding is one of the key ways to boost milk production.
Many women who think their milk supply is low are simply incorrect about that. They may think this because of some of the previous symptoms of fullness disappearing. Maybe their milk stops leaking, or they don't have a feeling of fullness in the breasts any more.
This can be related to the baby's growth, though, and not indicate milk flow problems. Babies have periods when they grow more quickly. When this happens, it can mean that the baby will leave the breasts more fully drained.
Causes of reduced production: Your milk supply may diminish temporarily for several reasons. One common cause is not feeding the baby frequently enough. This is often due to pain in the nipples while nursing, or to a poor latch technique by the baby. Illness can also make a woman's milk supply dip, as can taking birth control pills with estrogen in them.
What to do: If you think that you are experiencing a decrease in milk supply, check with your doctor. He or she can test you to make sure that there is nothing truly wrong. You will need to make sure the baby is eating frequently enough, and that there are no problems with the nipples or milk ducts.
This is especially critical if your baby stops gaining weight, or even starts losing weight. If that occurs, contact your doctor right away. If you are not imagining the drop in milk but are actually experiencing a drop in production, it can affect your baby.
You may be taught better feeding techniques. Normally this will help. If there has been a fluctuation in the baby's weight, this is a more serious concern.
Even with a lower milk supply, you can usually still nurse. Actually, continuing to nurse can be critical because frequent breast feeding is one of the key ways to boost milk production.
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