Breastfeeding: Low Milk Supply

Your body normally makes exactly enough milk that your baby needs even if you don’t realize it. There are a number of things such as health issues, diet, lifestyle choices, and medications that can interfere with your milk supply. Right after birth for the first few days your body will start to produce small amounts of colostrum before your full milk supply comes in. Between 10 and 14 days after birth you should be producing between 16-32 oz of milk per day.

Newborn babies will feed between 7-19 times a day if you count each breast as one feed. Your baby may feed on one side or both sides per feeding time depending on how hungry they are or how sleepy they are. It is important to feed your baby when they start to show signs of hunger, not on a strict schedule. Signs of newborn hunger include hands to their mounts, hands in fists, sucking on their fingers, crying, smacking lips, or mouth opening. If you are exclusively pumping you should be pumping at least 8 times per 24 hour period.

Breastfeeding can cause a lot of worry in mothers. They can ask a lot of questions about their baby getting enough supply. There are things you can look for to see if your baby is getting enough milk. Your baby should be feeding at least 8 times a day for at least 10 minutes for each feed. After feeding your breasts should feel softer. Your baby should have several yellow poopy diapers a day as well as 6-8 wet diapers per day. Your baby should be back to their birth weight by week 2. If your baby continues to gain weight. Hearing your baby swallow while breastfeeding. These are all signs that your baby is getting enough milk during their feeds.

It is important to not worry about certain things while breastfeeding. One is how your breast feels now compared to the beginning. They will not be as hard and full after the first few weeks because your body is regulating how much milk your baby needs. The fullness of your breasts will adjust to how much milk your baby needs. The amount of time your baby nurses for does not mean that you have a low milk supply. They may not be very hungry, getting enough per feed, or cluster feeding. Cluster feeding is when your baby eats for a short time lots of times together. This usually happens when your baby is having a growth spurt. Your baby is more effective than a pump of expressing milk, so if you aren’t getting a lot out from pumping it does not mean your baby is not getting enough out.

There are health issues that can cause your milk supply to be low or to decrease. One is the delivery of your baby. If you have a c section, premature birth, a stressful birth, or have medications given to you before birth or during these can all interfere with your milk supply. Treatments with magnesium sulfate before birth for high blood pressure can interfere with milk supply. Postpartum hemorrhaging or having retained placenta fragments can also interfere with milk supply. Health conditions such as PCOS, diabetes, obesity, hypothyroidism, or high blood pressure. Previous breast surgery. Not enough glandular breast tissue.

Medications you are taking can also have an impact. Over the counter allergy medications or sinus medications can interfere with your milk supply. Decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine have been shown to dry up milk. Birth control pills that have hormones can also get in the way with your milk production.

Lifestyle choices such as smoking or alcohol use can get in the way with your milk production. Too much caffeine, not eating well, or not staying hydrated can also cause a drop in milk supply. Peppermint and sage have been shown to decrease breast milk. Peppermint in cough drops, breath mints, or candies can also have that same decrease in breast milk. Large doses of herbs like parsley, oregano, jasmine, and yarrow can decrease breast milk. Not getting adequate sleep. Getting sick. Getting pregnant again can also cause milk production issues. Your baby having a poor latch, not feeding your baby often enough, or supplementing formula can also cause low production in your milk.

There are some things you can do to help boost your milk supply. Breastfeed at hunger cues, do not wait for a schedule to feed your baby. Pump or hand express after feeding, this signals to your body that it needs to produce more milk. Increase the amount of breastfeeds per day. Offer both breasts to your baby at every feed. Don’t force your baby to overeat, but make sure to offer. Avoid bottles and pacifiers in the first few weeks. Get good sleep. Make sure you have a healthy diet and are drinking enough water. Add foods like oatmeal, almonds, chickpeas, and dark leafy greens to help boost your milk production. Do 20 minutes of skin to skin with your baby every day. Try not to stress about feedings. If you are having trouble with your baby latching on successfully, work with a lactation consultant to better your baby’s latch.