Here is something important you need to know about breastfeeding: it can be hard, and you can do it. Sometimes it’s easy, but often it isn’t. There are a lot of things that can go wrong or make it difficult, but there are ways to deal with just about every pitfall. For most women, making milk for their new baby is not something they have to concern themselves with very much, it just happens. But for some, producing enough milk to sustain their baby can be a challenge. This one goes out to those unlucky few.

WHAT IS LOW MILK SUPPLY?

First, you need to understand that no one gives birth and then immediately starts spouting milk like the Trevi Fountain. In fact, the real milk usually takes 3-5 days to come in. So when your cups don’t immediately runneth over, do not worry, this isn’t low milk supply. In the interim, your body will be producing colostrum, which is thick and delicious, nutrient heavy, and the ONLY thing a newborn needs in those early days. In fact, that liquid gold is so good, baby only needs a few tablespoons a day. Did you know that a newborn’s stomach is only as big as a marble when it is born? It doesn’t take much to fill it up, so don’t worry, your baby will not starve to death while you wait for your milk to come in.

Once the faucets do start flowing towards the middle of the first week of your baby’s life, you will both hopefully be getting the hang of the physics of nursing. You should have gained some confidence, corrected any problems with latching, and be getting over the hump of dealing with sore nipples. When your milk does ‘come in’, you will know pretty quickly if you are not producing much milk if your baby seems unsatisfied despite being nursed frequently and on demand, and if the baby is not gaining weight well. While most babies lose a small percentage of their birth weight in the first few days, once your milk comes in your baby should begin gaining steadily.

If your baby is not gaining weight well, and you suspect a low milk supply, consider whether any of these factors might be contributing to your troubles:

Supplementation. Remember, your body makes breast milk on a supply and demand basis, so every time your baby gets a bottle of formula, your body get the signal to produce that much less milk. Likewise, every time you put your baby to your breast, your body get the signal to make more milk. To ensure that you can meet your baby’s needs, avoid supplementation in the first six weeks at least.

Nipple Confusion/Lazy Sucking. I’m not criticizing your baby here. The truth is, it can be a lot easier to get liquid from a bottle than a breast. If your baby has gotten used to the constant, fast flow she gets from a bottle, she may not want to put in the extra effort to extract milk from your breast. Again, avoid feeding from a bottle if possible (even expressed breast milk) until you have established a solid nursing relationship.

Nipple Shields. They definitely have their place, but can be overused. They can interfere with the stimulation to your nipple and prevent milk transfer. If possible, avoid using them.

Sleepy Baby. Babies can be so sleepy in the first weeks and nursing is incredibly relaxing to them, so many moms find that as soon as they put their baby to the breast, he’s asleep! This can result in incomplete and infrequent feedings.

If you find yourself putting mental check marks next to any of these factors, don’t worry. You are not doomed! Work to correct whatever issues might be at play and read on for my secret recipe for increasing milk supply.

1. Start taking Floradix. Most moms will be blood deficient after giving birth and for a long time afterward, and this liquid iron supplement will work quickly to build blood. We recommend 20mL, twice a day with food. This blend is also chalk full of B vitamins so you should see your energy levels increase and your mood improve. Bonus!

2. Make congee and eat a bowl of it for breakfast every day. This will help to improve your spleen function and digestion, speed your metabolism, and flush your body. Be sure to add some butter or flax oil to it every time. I also like mine with maple syrup.

3. Motherlove’s More Milk Plus. Take the tincture or the capsules as directed...you can find it on Amazon or at Whole Foods/Central Market.

4. Nursing. Do it, a lot. For very new babies who are sleepy and not demanding frequent feedings, try to nurse at least every two to three hours during the day and every four hours at night. For moms who have been supplementing with formula, but want to phase it out to nurse exclusively (or even just more frequently), nurse your baby at every feeding and offer both breasts each time. Nurse on demand. It will be helpful to anticipate her hunger so that baby is interested, but calm when you begin the feeding. Breastfeed for as long as the baby is actively nursing, and if she is still hungry after a good suckling on both sides, offer her a bottle only after nursing.

5. Pumping. Pump once in the morning and once at night, separate from a nursing session; meaning, not right before or right after you nurse. Maybe an hour or two after you nurse would be good. This might be the last thing you want to do, but it will really help to try and get ahead a little bit. The bonus is, if baby is still hungry after nursing, you can use this milk for the bottles you offer her after a feeding at the breast.

6. Eating and Drinking. Make sure you are doing plenty of both. Don’t flood yourself (contrary to popular belief, drinking gallons of water does not make more milk), but be sure you are getting at least 64 ounces a day and drinking to your own thirst. Avoid caffeine and get lots of healthy, satisfying foods. Order in or have someone else cook if you can. Take your prenatals.

Essentially, what needs to happen is that you commit to four or five days of working on this. Clear your schedule, hide your to-do list, and take a little breastfeeding vacation. Take your baby, a snack, a bottle of water, and some toys and books into your bed and stay there, all day if possible. Do pretty much nothing but eat, drink, rest, and nurse. If your baby doesn’t sleep well, get someone else to take care of the baby so that you can conk out for a few hours (beg or pay someone if you have to!). At night during this time, have your partner get up when the baby needs to be changed and, if you are not sleep sharing, bring the baby to you to nurse. The focus here is to restore your body’s energy and to allow it focus as much of that energy as possible on making more milk. (This is also good advice to follow for the first week after giving birth, and anytime a nursing momma is sick!)

It might be a tough week. You will probably be tired, frustrated, and emotional...this is all normal and will pass when you start to see some improvements. It is hard, but you can do it! And the benefits for you and your baby are totally worth the work. For most women, following these steps can get the milk flowing but if you have questions or need additional support, give us a call to talk about options for Chinese herbs as well.

Happy (more) milk making!