Most women are able to produce enough milk to breastfeed without difficulty. The best way to ensure your baby is getting enough milk is to make sure he is latched on correctly, and feed him frequently as he gets hungry.
Some mothers who are breast-feeding will quit earlier than they need to because they think they don’t have enough breast milk. However, there are some signs which may make you question whether your baby is getting enough milk or not. If your baby seems unsettled or hungry after feeding, or if he/she needs to feed frequently with short breaks in between feedings, you might assume that he/she is not getting enough milk – which is not always the case.
There are two main signals that will tell you if your baby isn’t getting enough milk. If you notice that your baby’s weight gain is either extremely slow or below average, or they are passing small amounts of concentrated urine, then they are not getting enough milk. All babies will lose some weight within the first day or two after they are born. This is because babies are born with stores of fluids and fat, which help them to survive in the early days.
If you think that your baby might not be getting enough milk, then it is important to speak to a healthcare professional, so they can give you some advice on how to increase your milk supply.
It’s normal for babies to lose weight after they’re born, but they should start gaining it back within a few weeks. Most full-term babies will regain their birth weight by around 2 months old. If your baby’s weight gain seems slow, talk to your doctor or nurse. They can check to make sure your baby is breastfed often enough and that you’re using the correct technique.
If you’re finding it difficult to breastfeed, here are a few ways you can work on increasing your milk supply:
– Pumping: If you’re not able to breastfeed as often as you’d like, consider pumping after each feeding. This will help you maintain your milk supply.
– Diet: Eating certain foods can help increase your milk production. Some good options include oats, fenugreek, and brewer’s yeast.
– hydration: Staying hydrated is important for both you and your baby. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day.
– relaxation: Try to relax while you’re breastfeeding. This can help increase milk flow and let-down.
By following the abovementioned, you will do your role in ensuring you’ve sufficient milk as it pertains time to feed your baby. If you are not sure about anything or have any other questions, make sure to ask your doctor. He will be able to answer almost any question you might have.
