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    Breastfeeding Low Milk Supply 250219

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    Robin Li
    This document discusses low milk supply in breastfeeding mothers. It begins by defining a low milk supply as not enough breast milk being produced to meet the baby's needs. While many new mothers worry about their supply, nearly all are able to produce enough milk. Possible causes of low supply include problems with baby's latch, not feeding frequently enough, use of formula or medications, breast surgery, or rare medical conditions. The key to increasing supply is frequent breast stimulation through breastfeeding or pumping every 2-3 hours, ensuring good latch, and emptying the breasts fully at each feeding. Prescription medications may also help in some cases.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Breastfeeding Low Milk Supply 250219

    Uploaded by

    Robin Li
    7 views2 pages
    This document discusses low milk supply in breastfeeding mothers. It begins by defining a low milk supply as not enough breast milk being produced to meet the baby's needs. While many new mothers worry about their supply, nearly all are able to produce enough milk. Possible causes of low supply include problems with baby's latch, not feeding frequently enough, use of formula or medications, breast surgery, or rare medical conditions. The key to increasing supply is frequent breast stimulation through breastfeeding or pumping every 2-3 hours, ensuring good latch, and emptying the breasts fully at each feeding. Prescription medications may also help in some cases.

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    Breastfeeding-Low-milk-supply-250219

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    This document discusses low milk supply in breastfeeding mothers. It begins by defining a low milk supply as not enough breast milk being produced to meet the baby's needs. While many new mothers worry about their supply, nearly all are able to produce enough milk. Possible causes of low supply include problems with baby's latch, not feeding frequently enough, use of formula or medications, breast surgery, or rare medical conditions. The key to increasing supply is frequent breast stimulation through breastfeeding or pumping every 2-3 hours, ensuring good latch, and emptying the breasts fully at each feeding. Prescription medications may also help in some cases.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    7 views2 pages

    Breastfeeding Low Milk Supply 250219

    Uploaded by

    Robin Li
    This document discusses low milk supply in breastfeeding mothers. It begins by defining a low milk supply as not enough breast milk being produced to meet the baby's needs. While many new mothers worry about their supply, nearly all are able to produce enough milk. Possible causes of low supply include problems with baby's latch, not feeding frequently enough, use of formula or medications, breast surgery, or rare medical conditions. The key to increasing supply is frequent breast stimulation through breastfeeding or pumping every 2-3 hours, ensuring good latch, and emptying the breasts fully at each feeding. Prescription medications may also help in some cases.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    LOW MILK SUPPLY

    Your milk supply is considered low when there is not enough breast milk being produced to meet
    your baby’s needs.

    Many mothers worry about their milk supply, especially Signs your baby is having
    in the early stages of breastfeeding. In fact, women who
    have stopped breastfeeding will most commonly say it
    enough milk
    was because they “didn’t have enough milk”. But nearly all After the first week following birth, your baby should:
    mothers do produce enough milk for their babies.
    »» wake for feeds by themselves
    If your breast milk supply is genuinely low it is usually
    »» settle between most feeds
    a temporary situation and can be improved with the
    right support. If you are concerned about your supply »» have at least 6–8 soaked nappies (4–5 heavy
    it is important to seek advice from your maternal and disposable nappies) in 24 hours
    child health nurse, a lactation consultant, the Australian »» pass a soft yellow stool at least once a day.
    Breastfeeding Association, your local doctor or other health
    care professional. Your baby should be back to birth weight by approximately
    two weeks of age and gaining an average of 150 grams or
    There are some common reasons why women may think more per week for the first three months of life.
    their milk supply is low.

    “My baby feeds too often” Possible causes of low supply


    Babies naturally feed frequently (normally 8–12 times »» Your baby is not attaching well at the breast.
    in 24 hours), and in the early days babies can be very This may also cause nipple pain and damage.
    unsettled, but this does not mean that there is not enough
    »» Your baby does not feed often enough.
    milk. In fact, frequent feeding is necessary to establish
    Nearly all babies need to feed at least 8–10 times
    a good breast milk supply.
    in 24 hours.
    There is good information about breastfeeding early days
    »» Your baby does not feed effectively at the breast.
    in the fact sheet: Breastfeeding: Getting Started
    »» You have started using formula milk as well
    “My breasts feel soft”
    as breastfeeding.
    When your milk supply adjusts to your baby’s needs your
    breasts may not feel as full (this may occur anywhere »» You have had breast surgery that is effecting your
    between 3–12 weeks). As long as your baby continues to milk supply, in particular breast reduction.
    feed well, your breasts will produce enough milk for your »» You have recently had mastitis.
    baby.
    »» You are taking oral contraceptive pills
    “My baby has suddenly started to feed more frequently” containing oestrogen.
    Your baby may wish to feed more during a ‘growth spurt’, »» You smoke cigarettes.
    but this increased feeding over a couple of days will help
    »» Some medications, including over-the-counter and
    you to increase your supply.
    herbal preparations, such as cold/flu tablets, may
    “My baby only feeds for a short time” reduce your milk supply.
    This is no cause for concern as long as your baby »» Rarely, there may be reduced or no milk production
    continues to grow. After two or three months babies will because of a medical condition. This occurs in less
    often take less time at the breast when feeding but still than five per cent of mothers.
    be getting all they need.

    LOW MILK SUPPLY D15-013 FEBRUARY 2019 PAGE 1 OF 2


    www.thewomens.org.au

    How to increase your milk supply Where to get more information


    The key to increasing your milk supply is frequent
    stimulation and emptying of the breasts. This may take Victorian Maternal & Child Health Line (24 hours)
    some time and it is important that you seek advice T: 13 22 29
    and support from a lactation consultant, your maternal
    and child health nurse or other health care professional
    skilled in breastfeeding management. Australian Breastfeeding Association
    » Hold your baby “skin-to-skin” at the breast (baby is Tel: 1800 686 268 – Breastfeeding Helpline
    dressed in a nappy only, so that there is direct skin W: www.breastfeeding.asn.au
    contact between you and your baby). This will help
    to keep your baby awake and also to increase the
    release of hormones involved in breast milk production.
    » Breastfeed frequently, 2–3 hourly – a total of at least Breastfeeding information at the Women’s
    8-12 feeds in 24 hours. Your baby may need to be woken
    www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/breastfeeding/
    for some feeds, or may wake to feed even more often.
    » Make sure that the attachment to your breast is good
    Related fact sheets
    and that your baby is both sucking and swallowing
    (you may need to seek help with this). »» Breastfeeding; Getting started

    » Offer each breast twice for some feeds, called switch »» Expressing breast milk
    feeding. When you notice your baby is becoming tired or »» Domperidone for increasing milk supply
    not swallowing very frequently anymore, take your baby off
    that breast and “switch” to the next side. Repeat on both
    breasts twice (that is, have four 'breasts' at this feed. This
    helps your baby drain your breast more efficiently.
    » Express after some/mosts breastfeeds to provide further
    stimulation to your breasts and to ensure that your
    breasts are well drained. This will help increase your milk
    supply.
    » If your baby is sleepy at the breast and not feeding well
    you may need to cut short the feed and use the time to
    express each breast twice, for example, express for five
    minutes left side, five minutes right side and then repeat.
    The expressed breast milk should then be fed to your
    baby.
    » When you are breastfeeding or expressing,
    compress or massage your breasts to assist with
    milk flow and drainage.
    » If you need to give your baby extra milk, give expressed
    breast milk separately and always before any infant
    formula. Seek advice from a lactation consultant or other
    health professional before commencing infant formula.
    » Sometimes prescription medicines are used to assist
    with increasing milk supply; talk with your doctor about
    these.
    Talk to your health professional or breastfeeding counsellor
    about strategies to manage feeding and expressing while
    you are increasing your milk supply. Often it takes about
    one hour to feed and express. Then you and your baby
    can rest between feeds.

    DISCLAIMER The Royal Women’s Hospital does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or use of such information or advice) which is provided in this fact sheet
    or incorporated into it by reference. We provide this information on the understanding that all persons accessing it take responsibility for assessing its relevance and accuracy. Women are
    encouraged to discuss their health needs with a health practitioner. If you have concerns about your health, you should seek advice from your health care provider or if you require urgent
    care you should go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department. © The Royal Women’s Hospital, 2015-2019
    LOW MILK SUPPLY D15-013 FEBRUARY 2019 PAGE 2 OF 2

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