Hey! I know that as a mom, your baby is your number one priority, and with such a robust campaign widespread on social media of milk-filled freezers and "How-To's" on increasing milk supply, it can be especially easy to feel worried that you don't have enough milk after all. In fact, fear of poor milk supply is one of the MOST COMMON reasons mom stop breastfeeding before they're ready to, or want to!
I am here to reassure you that most of the time, the problem here is the FEAR, not the actual milk supply - and that a healthy, plentiful milk supply does not have to look like a full freezer and a handful of supplements. Most of the time, all clinical signs point to adequate, bountiful milk supplies!
Let's talk more about that.
When we are surrounded by marketing that promotes us to purchase more or do more - it can become harder to trust our own bodies. Breastfeeding is no exception to this. Our consumerism culture heavily encourages us to believe we need surplus, which, in breastfeeding can have it's upsides - but it can have it's downsides, too.
We hear stories of moms supplementing with formula. Physicians even recommend it without cause sometimes (they are not breastfeeding experts). We see all types of advice about drinking certain teas, or blue electrolyte beverages, or eating the prepackaged lactation cookies. This, combined with how much love and concern we have for our babies, can cause self doubt.
If this has been your experience, at least once, congratulations! You're normal!
On the other hand, like birth, breastfeeding requires strong mental fortitude. It is rewarding to see that our bodies are producing milk and that that milk is growing our babies with all of it's protective and nutritive qualities! It can become easy to obsess over how much we are producing for reasons other than fear - and even become hyperfocused on building a breastmilk stash just because we can, or because we find reward in feeling prepared for nights out or returning to work. This can lead to squirreling away more milk than we actually need to, or creating a game out of how much we can get by power pumping or adding in those lactation supplements.
Signs Breastfeeding Is Going Well (a.k.a. You Have Plenty of Milk)
Healthy, successful breastfeeding consists of 2 parts: milk production, and milk transfer.
Milk production happens within your breast tissues when your mammary glands produce milk, and that milk then travels through your milk ducts to your nipple. I'll take a moment to note that your body makes additional milk glands and ducts each and every time you are pregnant. (So cool!). I think it's also important to note that breast size and firmness are not indicators of how much milk you are producing.
Milk transfer is the movement of your milk out of your nipple to your baby (or to the container you are expressing/pumping milk into). Transfer of milk depends greatly on your baby's latch and the suction created either by your baby or by your pump.
Obviously, you cannot see the amount of ounces your baby is eating per feeding session, but if your baby is gaining weight by 2 weeks old, has plenty of wet and dirty diapers per day, and during feedings has visual and/or audible sucking and swallowing, your milk supply and transfer is probably in great standing! Please note that it is normal for babies to lose 10% of their birth weight in the first week.
If you are a pumping or hand-expressing mom, know that it is normal to pump as little as 0.5 ounces per breast, for one breast to express more than the other, and for the amount you pump to change over time. Most moms express up to 5 ounces per pump session. It's important to remember that pumps are not necessarily as efficient at removing milk as you baby is.
Signs You May Need Support
Professional breastfeeding support may be especially beneficial if
your baby is not gaining weight by 2 weeks old
your baby is not producing at least 5-7 wet/dirty diapers per day
you are pumping less than 0.5-1 oz of milk per breast per pump session
you have pain in your breasts or during feedings/pump sessions
Pumping is regularly yielding less than an ounce per session for your newborn, or if that amount does not increase over the first few weeks
you're feeling overwhelmed, or struggling to meet your own physical needs of rest, hydration, and nutrition
you really want to breastfeed, and you are finding yourself leaning more and more on formula because you're worried
How to Increase Milk Supply
How, when, or why you choose to increase your milk supply will depend on what you are already doing, and where the problem lies. Before diving into a bunch of over-the-counter solutions, I would recommend talking with an experienced, non-judgemental breastfeeding support person. This could be a friend who has breastfed several children, a La Leche League leader, a midwife, postpartum doula, or clinical lactation specialist - whatever option feels like a good fit to you. Personally, I'd recommend a few support sources and prioritizing the ones that center YOU as the mom over a clinical picture as long as your baby is healthy.
In some cases, the answer is to ensure your own nutritional needs are met. In other cases, it is a latch that needs some work, pump settings that need adjusting, or perhaps some other adjustments that you can troubleshoot together. In other cases, its a big hug and reassurance that you really, truly are doing an amazing job - and that breastfeeding in this moment seems to be going very well.
I'm Here for You.
Lynnea is a mother of 2, RN turned traditional birthkeeper, and certified Ayurvedic postpartum doula. Lynnea lives and plays in the western upper peninsula of Michigan, serving mothers in the northwoods of the UP and Wisconsin, and offering virtual pregnancy and postpartum support to mothers worldwide.
Connect on Social Media @healingbirth @mamatukibirth
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