For so many new mothers, one question eclipses the joys of childbirth: “Am I making enough milk for my baby?” A crying baby, frequent feeding or an agitated baby can rapidly lead mums to doubt themselves. While low milk supply is a real medical problem for some women, many more moms struggle with a perceived low milk supply, meaning they think they’re not making enough milk when in fact they are.
Breastfeeding is based on a basic principle: supply and demand. The more the infant latches and feeds well, the more milk the body will create. Frequent feeding in the first few weeks after delivery is typical and, indeed, nature’s way of developing an adequate milk supply.
One of the biggest fallacies is that soft breasts mean less milk. In truth, once breastfeeding gets established, breasts naturally feel softer and yet produce ample milk. Likewise, a baby who feeds every two to three hours (or more frequently during growth spurts) is not necessarily hungry because of insufficient milk. You also can’t rely on pumping little amounts as a gauge of milk supply because babies are often much more efficient at removing milk than a breast shield.
That said, a real poor milk supply can happen. Medical factors include hormonal imbalances, retained placental tissue, substantial postpartum haemorrhage, certain drugs, past breast surgery or insufficient glandular breast tissue, which may influence milk production. But more often, a poor latch, a delay in starting breastfeeding, infrequent feeding, or needless formula supplementation in the early days can cause a decrease in milk supply over time.
Parents should look for more dependable signals that a baby is getting enough milk. Regular weight gain, an alert, active infant after feeds and six or more wet nappies a day after the first week are clear signs that breastfeeding is going well.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, continuing breastfeeding and appropriate complementary foods up to the age of 2 years or beyond. But internationally, only approximately 48% of babies under six months of age are exclusively breastfed, indicating a need to better educate and support mothers. Breastfeeding is still one of the most effective strategies to improve baby survival and health.
Successful nursing is not the mother's alone duty. Nursing during the first hour of birth with early skin-to-skin contact, support from family members, and prompt instruction from doctors and lactation consultants dramatically boosts nursing results. Most worries about “low milk supply” can be handled simply by changing the location, latch and how often you feed.
If the infant is not gaining weight well, has fewer wet nappies, or seems constantly sleepy, or if the mother has significant breast discomfort or other health problems, get a professional evaluation soon. In early intervention, it is often possible to continue breastfeeding when there is no need to stop.
Breastfeeding is a journey, not a motherhood test. Mothers should keep in mind that every nursing journey is unique and that success should not be measured by the quantity of milk expressed or by comparing experiences with others. With the correct information, comfort and timely help, most women can effectively nourish their newborns and overcome the worries that misconceptions often generate.
The author is a Consultant – Gynaecologist, Infertility Specialist, Vaginal & Laparoscopic Surgeon (OBS & Gyn) at HOSMAT Hospital.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
