INCREASING YOUR MILK SUPPLY

From time to time, many breastfeeding mothers worry that they’re not making enough milk. The miraculous process of breastfeeding is controlled by supply and demand – the more our baby demands, the more our breasts supply – but because we can’t see it happening, or measure the milliliters, it’s sometimes hard to trust that it could be so easy. Firstly, ask yourself whether it’s a false alarm. This often happens when the baby is about two months old, when you’ve got through that wobbly newborn phase and settled into a routine together. Your breasts have learned how much milk to make, so they don’t feel as full as they did, and your baby has become more efficient so he can gulp through his feed in five or ten minutes. It’s also a time when his digestive system starts to get used to its new job, so he may dirty his nappy less often. All this is cause for congratulations, not concern.

Secondly, make sure it’s not a growth spurt. Just when everything’s going along well, your baby may suddenly want to feed more frequently for two or three days (this often happens at two, four, six and 12 weeks). More frequent feeding will prompt your body to make the extra milk he needs, and soon you’ll settle back into a comfortable pattern again.

Trouble also strikes at about four months, when babies become aware of the world and get distracted towards the end of a feed. Try feeding in a quiet, dark room or expressing a little at the end of each feed. If you have to be away from your baby for more than two or three hours, express milk to encourage your breasts to make more.

Fussing after a feed is more likely to be caused by wind or tiredness than hunger – or maybe it’s just sadness at being disturbed from that lovely warm cuddle! If your baby is between four and six months old, it may be a sign that he’s ready to start solids. You may prefer to offer a little stewed apple or pear after breastfeeding, rather than supplement with formula.

If you can see and hear your baby latching on well, sucking and swallowing, if he produces at least six wet nappies a day, is alert and active and gaining at least 100g a week, you’re probably okay. But do ask yourself whether you’re trying to do too much. Have your helpers returned to their own lives and left you running the household and holding the baby? Try to nap when the baby naps, particularly in the afternoons so you can make lovely rich milk for his evening feed. Avoid strenuous exercise, eat well and drink enough water. Some women swear by a bowl of porridge every morning, breastfeeding tea, blessed thistle or fenugreek. Some birth control pills can temporarily reduce milk supply, so discuss this with your doctor. If you’re still concerned, feed your baby a little more frequently for a few days. Kick-start the process by climbing into bed for a weekend, letting baby nurse for as long as he likes, whenever he likes.

Always allow your baby to empty one breast before you offer the other so he gets nutritious hind milk as well as filling foremilk. If he falls asleep at the breast, release the nipple, burp him to wake him up, and then offer the other breast. Or try switch feeding; as soon as his initial burst of enthusiasm dies down and his sucking and swallowing slows, swap him to the other breast. Remember that two thirds of the milk your baby gets each feed is produced while he’s sucking.

If you’re keen to continue breastfeeding, try these strategies for at least two weeks before you consider supplementary formula, which could make the situation worse, as your baby will suck less so your breasts will make less milk. Try to avoid dummies, too, as a baby who is sucking a dummy all day might not suck so much at the breast. Prescription medicines are available to promote milk production, so discuss this with your doctor.

Ironically, stress, tiredness and anxiousness are among the factors that can affect milk production, so worrying about your milk supply may make the problem worse. The most important thing you can do is to have faith in your body. If, however, your baby is failing to gain at least 100g a week, or is not wetting at least six nappies every 24 hours, share your concerns with your midwife, Plunked nurse or doctor.