Production – Breast milk

One of the major concerns of new mothers is whether their milk production is sufficient and whether it is nourishing enough for their baby. Many myths surround this topic, which can cause anxiety and confusion. Previously, Lady Sapiens breastfed on demand while being connected to her strong maternal instincts. Today, by giving advice to mothers and constantly weighing their children, they have a loss of self-confidence. It is our modern interventions that make mothers want to know if they have enough milk or not. Regain confidence in yourself, recover this instinctive power! You can do it.

Milk production: sufficient or not?

It’s common for mothers to wonder if they’re producing enough milk for their baby. However, it is rare that a mother cannot produce enough milk. Most lactation problems are related to factors other than the physical ability to produce milk. Here are some key points:

1. Physiology of lactation: Milk production operates on a principle of supply and demand. The more the baby suckles, the more milk production increases. It is therefore crucial to breastfeed frequently and on demand to maintain good milk production. Listening to and identifying your baby’s sleep-wake rhythms allows you to breastfeed on demand and therefore ensure good milk production.
2. Rare physiological causes: Medical conditions like breast hypoplasia (insufficient development of glandular tissue) or hormonal disorders can affect milk production. However, these cases are rare and represent a small fraction of breastfeeding difficulties. With the dietary imbalance of modern homo and endocrine disruptors, the skyrocketing obesity, the cruel lack of iodine intake it is becoming more common to have milk shortages. Breast hypoplasia is not that rare.
3. Sucking and positioning problems: Often, the difficulties encountered are due to the baby’s sucking problems. Ineffective latching can limit breast stimulation and therefore milk production. This is the most common cause of lack of milk. The causes can be the following: retrognatia, micrognatia, tensions linked to birth due to a cesarean section, forceps, suction cup, high and narrow palate, restrictive lingual frenulum, etc.

Signs that baby is getting enough milk

To assess whether your baby is getting enough milk, look for the following signs:

• Weight gain: A well-nourished baby should return to his birth weight within 10 to 14 days and continue to gain weight regularly according to his birth percentile.
• Wet diapers: An exclusively breastfed baby should wet at least six diapers per day.
• Regular stools: Yellow, grainy stools are a good sign that your baby is getting enough milk.
• Baby: A baby who is well after feeding, who seems full, and hardly falls asleep, older babies generally fall asleep less.
• Mom: you will feel the effects of breastfeeding hormones such as oxytocin prolactin endorphins, namely a calm mother, who wants to sleep, to float. Succulent breasts are more supple.

Common myths about milk quality

1. My milk is not nourishing enough: Breast milk is perfectly suited to your baby’s nutritional needs and even adjusts to their changing needs over time. The preconceived notions that some mothers have poor quality milk are unfounded.
2. Soft breasts produce less milk: After the first weeks of breastfeeding, it is normal for the breasts to become more supple. This does not mean that you are producing less milk, but that your body has adapted to your baby’s demand.

How to increase your milk production

If you are concerned about insufficient production, here are some strategies to increase milk supply:

• Consult your midwife or an IBCLC certified lactation consultant
• Continue breastfeeding frequently: The more your baby suckles, the more milk production will be stimulated.
• Milk expression: Using a breast pump can help stimulate production. Double pumping (pumping both breasts simultaneously) can be particularly effective.
• Skin-to-skin contact: Increase skin-to-skin moments with your baby to stimulate the production of oxytocin, the hormone that helps milk flow. You can do this with a baby sling, a bath, or co-sleeping. Skin to skin should not especially be done naked. In fact, it’s encouraging what we call close mothering: looking at your baby, talking to him, walking him…

Conclusion

Most women can produce enough milk for their baby. Lactation problems are generally linked to modifiable factors such as frequency of feedings, for example, rather than a physical inability to produce milk. Management of sucking difficulties must be assessed and treated with an ibclc, midwife. We insist because babies’ sucking disorders are more and more common and they really have a huge impact on mothers’ milk production. If in doubt, do not hesitate to consult a lactation consultant for personalized advice.

Breastfeeding is a natural act, but it may require learning and support. Don’t be discouraged and remember that perseverance and good practices are the key to successful breastfeeding.