Wondering if you are producing enough breast milk to keep your baby healthy and happy? Unlike bottle-feeding (where you know exactly how much your baby is drinking) with breastfeeding, you have no idea how much milk your baby is taking. This may lead you to worry if you are producing enough breast milk, if your newborn is getting enough to eat, or if you could have a low milk supply. To help you find answers to these questions, let’s first understand how does milk production work.
As early as month 3 of pregnancy, your breast begins to prepare for breastfeeding. This means your breast starts to develop the glandular tissue required to produce milk and increase the number of milk ducts in your breasts. By the end of the second trimester, your body is ready for breastfeeding. But things don’t stop here. Once your baby is born, a hormone called prolactin triggers milk production while another hormone called oxytocin causes tiny muscles cells in the breast to contract, pushing milk out. As your baby nurses, your prolactin levels increase, causing more milk to be produced in a continuing cycle of supply and demand.
When it comes to what causes low milk supply, it still unclear. However, there are some factors that may influence breast milk production. These factors include adding formula to the menu, infrequent feeding, short feeding and pacifiers. If you suspect or worry that you have a low milk supply, there are some things that can help you produce more breast milk and building a supply.
Nurse Frequently
The more you breastfeed your baby nurses, the more milk you’ll produce. So, let your baby nurse on demand when you’re building your supply – your body should respond by boosting milk production.
Eat Lactation Cookies
While there is no scientific proof about the effectiveness of lactation cookies in boosting milk supply, many mothers have said that these cookies have helped them in their journey. Lactation cookies are named as such for the obvious reason that they are made especially for lactating mothers. The secret ingredients you may aks? Oatmeal, flaxseed, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ and fenugreek. Together these ingredients help you boost and maintain your milk supply.
Here’s how. Oats are rich in iron, fibre, protein and complex carbohydrates. Low levels of iron are linked to reduced milk supply. Flaxseed is packed with Omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats, which are essential components in breastmilk. Brewer’s yeast contains iron, protein, B vitamins, chromium, selenium, and other trace minerals. The blend of these nutrients is known to help in boosting milk supply. Wheat germ has high levels of zinc, which is important in supporting baby’s growth, immunity and brain development. Fenugreek contains hormone precursors that motivate the milk glands to produce breastmilk.
Breastfeeding takes so much energy and effort, the reason why you’re often very hungry and thirsty after each breastfeeding session. Instead of having an unhealthy snack, breastfeeding biscuits are a more nutritious alternative. This these cookies, you get to satisfy your hunger while maintaining your figure. The powerful nutrients found in these cookies also promote the efficient functioning of metabolic processes. For instance, iron is essential in preventing anaemia (a common condition in new mothers) by maintaining blood production rates.
Because the ingredients in breastfeeding cookies are all-natural, there are no known adverse effects. Bloating from oatmeal and weight gain from eating too many cookies are some of the reported “side effects. Each mother responds differently to breastfeeding biscuits. Some notice a significant increase in their milk supply within a few days of eating these cookies, while some take a few weeks or so. Eating two to three lactation cookies per day is enough.
Stay Hydrated
Breast milk consists of about 90% of water, so make sure to drink enough of it every day. Drinking about 6 to 8 glasses of water or other healthy liquids such as milk, juice or tea, should be enough to keep you hydrated. If you’re feeling thirsty, drink more. Also, if you have a headache or a dry mouth or is dizzy, those are all signs you might not be drinking enough liquids.
Get More Rest
A good nights sleep or a great nap can be very beneficial for your milk supply. Not getting enough rest can cause your body to get worn down. Making sure you are as rested as possible can help your body operate at it’s optimum, which can help boost milk production.
Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Some of the things you might be doing every day may be affecting your breast milk supply. For example, if you smoke, take birth control pill, is stressed and fatigued, all these things can interfere with your breast milk supply. You may be able to increase your breast milk supply by simply making a few changes to your daily routine.
