Lack of Breastmilk Supply
Are you worrying that your milk supply is low? Then you should read the signs of lack of breastmilk, because most women think they have this problem, when in fact they don’t.
Most common signs:
- The baby is not gaining weight.
- The baby is wetting less than 5 diapers a day
- You can’t hear the baby swallowing
- Dehydration (of the mother)
- Too much stress
To prevent this, firstly, you should stay hydrated, drink 8 to 10 cups of water a day. I also recommend drinking herbal tea. Secondly, try to get as much sleep as you can, which I know is hard when you have a new born baby in the house. My advice is to sleep while your baby is also sleeping, and leave the chores around the house to your husband. Be relaxed, stress is commonly the cause of low milk supply.
Try to nurse your baby at least every 2 to 3 hours. When you nurse frequently your breasts will be stimulated and therefore produce more milk. So if the baby isn’t drinking the milk, your body will not make any.
In case any of this is not helping try using a breast pump. Pump for around 5 minutes before every feeding. This really is not a big issue, your breasts just need a bit more stimulation.
You also have to eat a lot more. When you are pregnant you need around 300 calories more than usual, and when breastfeeding a woman requires 500 calories more. Make sure that you are eating a lot of protein. Boiled egg whites, chicken breasts, lamb, salmon, tuna are all very good sources of protein.
Natural supplements and herbs can help, but be sure to consult with your doctor or nutritionist first. I know herbs are natural, but that doesn’t mean that they are safe, in fact they can be potentially dangerous for you and your baby.
