If you?re thinking about quitting breastfeeding/chestfeeding because you aren?t making enough milk for your baby, you aren?t alone. Low milk supply is one of the most common reasons new parents stop nursing and transition to bottle feeding.
There?s nothing wrong with formula feeding. But in my experience as a nurse and a lactation consultant, I?ve seen new parents perceive their milk supply as insufficient when it actually wasn?t. I?ve also seen many cases where a mom?s supply was indeed low, but could be increased relatively easily. If you?re about to give up breastfeeding because of low supply, but wish you didn?t have to, read on.
Possible causes of low milk supply
As a lactation consultant, how do I determine a client’s milk supply levels" I start by taking a detailed health history, asking questions to determine if there are existing health factors that could be impacting supply. For example, labour induction, epidurals, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, breast hypoplasia, breast surgeries, low iron, thyroid disorders, PCOS or obesity could all potentially have an impact. It?s also important to determine how the baby is behaving during and after breastfeeding. Is the baby satisfied with relaxed arms and hands at the end of the feed" Are they having the appropriate number of wet and dirty diapers, is the baby sleeping well in between feeds, is jaundice decreasing, is the baby gaining weight appropriately"
Next, I perform a test weight, weig...