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Increasing Your Breastmilk SupplyHow to encourage your milk to come in and increase your supply
Risk factors for delayed lactation include obesity, a prolonged pushing stage and a cesarean birth. Mothers can increase supply by pumping and feeding frequently.
While breastfeeding is natural for many mothers, it is not uncommon to have breastfeeding problems crop up. Common breastfeeding problems include having a delay in breastmilk coming in and having a low breastmilk supply. Neither one of these breastfeeding challenges should result in having to give up breastfeeding your baby. But understanding what is normal and what you can do to help, as well as where you can get good resources is crucial. Why is my breastmilk not in yet?Most mothers will find that anytime between 2-6 days postpartum, their breasts will begin to feel and look fuller and there will be other definite signs that your breastmilk has indeed come in. Your breasts may begin to feel uncomfortable and when you nurse, the baby swallows frequently and may even have difficulty keeping up with the milk as it flows out quickly. As you are nursing, you will notice leaking from the other breast. However, occasionally it will take even longer for breastmilk to come in. In fact, one study has identified a number of risk factors for a delay in the onset of breastmilk production. These risk factors include:
One of the easiest things that you can do to encourage your breastmilk to come in is to breastfeed your baby on demand (or minimum at least every 2-3 hours) for the first several weeks. Am I making enough breastmilk?One of the biggest frustrations breastfeeding mothers can have is wondering if they are making enough breastmilk to feed their babies. There are several ways you can tell if your baby is getting enough to eat, even if you cannot measure the milk in a bottle as you would with formula.
How can I increase my milk supply?There are a number of ways to increase your supply of breastmilk if your pediatrician or lactation consultant has confirmed that you are not making enough for your baby's demands. The first thing would be to decrease the intervals between feedings. Feed every 90 minutes instead of every 2 hours. You can also increase the length of each feeding by feeding your baby for 30-45 minutes at each feeding if your feeding time has been shorter than that. Pumping your breasts is also another good way to increase your breastmilk supply. The best time to pump is right after a breastfeed. Go ahead and save your pumped milk by refrigerating it (if you plan to use the breastmilk within 2 days) or in the freezer for longer storage. Where can I find help for my breastfeeding problems?A number of resources are available to breastfeeding mothers. La Leche League is a volunteer based organization with trained helpers to walk you through many breastfeeding problems. Certified Lactation Consultants often do private home consultations and often provide breast pumps for sale and rental. Birth and postpartum doulas are also educated in supporting mothers through various breastfeeding problems. Your pediatrician or a nurse in your pediatrician's office may also be helpful resources. And don't forget friends or family who have successfully breastfed! Remember that not every mother or baby takes to breastfeeding naturally. Giving yourself and your baby the time and support you both need is vital to breastfeeding success. Many mothers can take a month or longer to feel confident in every aspect of breastfeeding so stick to it! It is well worth the occasional challenges.
The copyright of the article Increasing Your Breastmilk Supply in Postpartum Health is owned by Brenda Lane. Permission to republish Increasing Your Breastmilk Supply in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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