Not Enough Milk for breastfeeding… Are you sure?

Many mothers who practice breastfeeding think that they do not produce enough milk, and the reason is simple: it's very difficult to measure! It is impossible to know how much milk your baby actually eats when he sucks ... It's a bit like believing in a divine force: it's not because you do not see it that it does not exist!

Of course, I'm not saying that you are wrong to be afraid, on the contrary! I myself suffered from too little breast milk production, or so I thought! That's the problem ... It's often a question of perception! It is exactly the same as fear, once it is implanted, it continues to grow and grow until one is totally terrified! Fortunately, I'm here to calm you down and get your ideas back in place.

Why do you think you do not have enough milk?

It is important not to be too demanding with oneself when talking about breastfeeding or breast milk ... Moms tend to put everything on the back of their milk. Whether the baby is in a bad mood, vomiting, not sleeping enough or eating all the time, we panic and we say that we do not produce enough milk for our child.

The truth is that, in many cases, these types of behaviors are not at all linked to breastfeeding ... I will go into the details of the most common panics in mothers.

Baby eats constantly and never looks satiated

If this is the case with your child, it does not necessarily mean that you do not produce enough milk. It is well known that breastfed babies feed very often. Breast milk is more easily and quickly digested by babies compared to milk powder, so a baby who feeds will eat more often than a baby bottle-feeder.

In fact, most studies show that breastfeeding 10-12 times or more over a 24-hour period is totally normal! In addition, remember that your baby goes through many growth spurts: about one a week the first month then three months and finally 6 months. During these growth spurts, your baby will feed very often, but it's not because you do not have enough milk, it's simply because he needs it!

In any case, the more your baby will ask for milk and the more your body will produce, it's organic!

Baby does not gain weight like other babies

You should never compare your baby's weight gain, feeding frequency, or even sleep with other babies around you. Every baby is different! On average, after your baby is recovered the weight lost at birth, he should take 140 to 280 grams a week the first month, 140 to 230 grams a week the second and third month, and then about 70 to 130 grams a week between the third and sixth months.

If your baby loses weight or does not get fat fast enough, talk to your doctor right away.

My breasts are no longer full and have stopped flowing

This is one of the main reasons why moms stop breastfeeding too early and think they are not producing enough milk for their child. However, between the 6th and the 12th week, your breast milk production will be regulated.

When your milk is first produced, your body usually produces more than your baby needs. This is the reason why you think your breasts are full the first month, and that you often have drops that are flowing.

Around the 6th to 12th week, your breasts will produce the volume of milk necessary for the needs of the child, neither more nor less. At that time, your breasts will surely be lighter and will not taste anymore. Again, that does not mean that you do not have enough milk to breastfeed, it just means that your body is now in sync with the physiological needs of your baby.

What if I am sure I do not have enough milk to breastfeed?

If you are still convinced that your breast milk production is too low, here are a few things to do:

• Consult your doctor to make sure you and the baby are in good shape. It will allow you to have peace of mind.

• Consult a lactation specialist and make sure the baby is feeding properly. Often, if you feel nipple pain during breastfeeding, it is because you are in the wrong position and it can negatively affect the ejection of milk, which makes you feel like you do not have enough milk.

• Avoid giving the baby a pacifier the first few weeks of breastfeeding. Your little one could lose interest in your nipples and thus cause a drop in the production of breast milk. If you have to compensate with milk powder, try pulling your milk with a breast pump to stimulate the lactation again.

• Do not put a time limit on breastfeeding. It usually takes 20 to 45 minutes for a baby to have enough milk from the breast. Be sure to use both breasts while breastfeeding for maximum stimulation.

• Use a breast pump after each breast feeding to completely empty your breast, which will give your body the order to produce milk again. Even if your baby sucks often, if he does not suck hard enough or not properly, your breasts may not receive the stimulation needed to restart breast milk production, hence the recommended use of a breast pump.

• Watch your baby's weight. Always keep in mind the weight of your child when you left the hospital (not the birth weight). In general, a baby loses 5 to 7% of his birth weight during the first two days. Keep a sharp eye on his weight as he picks it up. Once your weight starts to go up, there is no reason for it to go down ... If that happens, see a doctor right away. Lactation specialists recommend checking the baby's weight after one week. This is when your milk production will be activated and the baby will start gaining weight. The more you monitor and the more you will be able to identify potential problems with your breast milk production

• My most important tip, to finish, is to relax! Rest as much as possible and drink plenty of water. Never forget that a woman's body was specially designed to carry a child ... If it were not the case, the human race would never have survived for millions of years! So a tip: follow your body and follow your instinct!