The Potential Causes of Low Breast Milk Supply and the Tips to Deal With It

By Karlyn Riffel 

Breast milk naturally comes to new mothers immediately after giving birth. Usually, the amount of milk that a mother can produce depends on how much her child consumes, as the mother's body can easily determine how much her child regularly intakes.

However, issues like low breast milk supply is still one of the problems a new mother can face while still in the postpartum period. This can be quite a problem, as this kind of milk is still the primary food your child intake. Without an ample amount of breast milk, the baby becomes underfed, in turn making him at risk of lots of infections and illnesses and becoming malnourished.

To avoid this, you need to be able to produce as much needed milk as possible. As the baby needs to feed for up to twelve times a day during his first few months, you will have to be ready to deliver with this kind of demand.

However, in order to deal with this problem, you must first look at what are its possible causes. One common reason for this is when you start giving your child milk supplements. By bottle feeding your child, he will tend to consume less from you, which in turn, will tell your body to produce a lower amount of milk.

Aside from the artificial milk itself, feeding from bottle also causes nipple confusion. A bottle's nipple usually requires a different way of sucking, so when your child already needs to nurse, the tendency for him not to be able to latch properly is high. And without proper latching, he will not be able to breastfeed correctly.

Breast augmentation, in answer to most mothers' questions, luckily, doesn't necessarily mean lesser milk supply. In fact, experts say that normal breastfeeding is possible even after getting such surgeries. However, one must still be careful though, as puerperal mastitis, the condition where the breast tissues get sore and one rare complication that can be acquire from breast surgeries is a common cause of this problem in milk supply.

If you suspect that you are suffering from low breast milk supply, fret not, as there are ways how you can deal with the problem. Some examples of tips that can help you boost your milk production are the following:

1. Drinking more liquids or taking milk stimulating medications always helps.

2. Use a quality and effective pump when draining breast milk. Pumping allows you to express more milk from your system, thus training it to make more.

3. Avoid supplements. Milk supplements are way heavier than breast milk, so the baby will need to feed less with it. If your baby always feels full from this, he will demand less breast milk, making you produce less.

4. Nurse frequently with both breasts. Allowing your baby finish milk from both sides of your breasts will tell your body that you need to produce more milk.

5. Remember to have a healthier lifestyle. What you do to your body affects with your milk supply. So, if you want to make sure that you're baby is well fed, take good care of yourself first.

Make sure that you are always ready to be there to answer your child's needs. By following these simple tips, you can be sure that you can prevent low breast milk supply and that you can always nurse when your baby needs your milk.

Karlyn Riffel reviewed on how to prevent Low Breast Milk Supply. Please visit her Breastfeeding Engorgement website for more information.

Article Source: The Potential Causes of Low Breast Milk Supply and the Tips to Deal With It

How to Increase Breast Milk Flow

By Lisa Simonelli Rennie 

Breastfeeding has many advantages for both mother and baby. It is the most natural, perfect food for a newborn baby. Breast milk is loaded with antibodies and nutrients that are essential for the immune system, and for proper growth and development. The mother will also find advantages to breastfeeding, such as quicker weight loss, reduced risk of cancer, and quicker shrinking of the uterus back to its normal size. Here are some tips on ensuring that you have a proper amount of breast milk.

Feed Often

The more often you breastfeed your baby, the more your milk will come in. When your baby suckles on your breasts, it stimulates the production of breast milk. Your body has an amazing way of knowing when it needs to produce breast milk. If your breasts are being nursed often, your body will respond to that accordingly by supplying more milk. Most likely, your newborn will want to feed often anyway in the first few weeks.

Nurse Both Breasts at Each Feeding

Nursing both breasts at each feeding will ensure that you do not end up lopsided. In addition, it will induce milk flow to each breast more evenly. Let your baby feed off your breast until the milk seems to have run out - this will ensure that the baby receives the nutrient-rich hindmilk. Then switch breasts and do the same.

Keep Well-Hydrated

You will find it difficult to produce enough milk if you don't drink enough water. Having enough fluids in your body will help keep the breast milk flowing. Ideally you should drink between 8 to 10 glasses of water per day, but juices and milk should also help.

Massage Your Breasts

Massaging your breasts can stimulate the production of breast milk. The action of breastfeeding itself is a great massage on the breasts, which gets the milk flowing. In between feedings, knead your breasts in a similar fashion to breastfeeding itself - preferably in the shower or bath when warm water is on your breasts. This massage will stimulate your body to increase the flow of breast milk.

Prescription Medication

If you've tried everything, and still feel that you are not producing enough breast milk, there are prescription drugs that your doctor can prescribe for you that will stimulate the production of breast milk. One drug in particular that is generally prescribed for this reason is Domperidone. Ask your doctor about it if you feel you need extra help in the breastfeeding department.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful opportunity for a new mother to provide amazing nutrients to her new baby, and to bond with the newborn. In order to get the milk flowing, there are numerous things you can do to increase its production.

Lisa has been writing articles for many years. Come visit her latest website at http://www.electricbreastpumpsreview.com, which reviews the best electric breast pumps and breast pumps accessories, and great deals on these items.

Article Source: How to Increase Breast Milk Flow

Pumping Breast Milk: Get the Best of Both Worlds

By Michelle Higgins 

You want to go back to work but would like to keep feeding baby the best food possible- breast milk. Is exclusive breastfeeding possible if you are away from baby eight hours a day? Yes, here is where pumping milk comes in.

Why pump breast milk?

Most moms pump breast milk to collect and store it for their babies while they are not around. However, if you have engorged breasts you can express some of your milk to ease the discomfort. If your baby is premature or cannot latch on to your breast for some reason, pumping breast milk might be recommended for her.

I have no clue how to proceed!

Well, the first thing to do is to decide what method you will be using. Will you be pumping milk regularly? If you plan to do this, then investing in a breast pump will save you a lot of time and energy. Where will you be pumping milk? There are fancy battery operated pumps that will let you pump milk while you work. Do you need one of those? What are others doing? Though it is not a good idea to compare babies, comparing pumps can help you choose the best one for you. Discuss your options with your healthcare provider too.

Choose the right method

Expressing breast milk by hand is a long and painful process. If you will be pumping only once in a while to ease engorgement, provide a relief bottle or store milk for emergencies, this can work for you. Electric breast pumps can extract milk from both breasts at the same time, and they are much faster. Battery operated breast pumps might not be too cost effective but if you want to pump on the go, they are your best bet. Whatever method you choose, it is important to learn how to pump milk.

Storing your precious breast milk

Refrigerate expressed milk immediately if you want to store it for future use. Breast milk can be stored at room temperature for as long as six hours. If you freeze it, breast milk can stay fresh for a week or two. Make sure you freeze it in small quantities for easy thawing. Thaw milk under running water instead of the microwave. Never refreeze thawed milk.

Tricks of the trade

Timing matters. A good time interval after nursing helps pump more milk as your breasts will not generate much milk right after your baby has drained them.

Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Your milk supply partly depends on the amount of water you take in.

Relax and keep your surroundings quiet. Or play some soothing music while you put your legs up and close your eyes. Remember that stress can reduce your milk output.

Thinking about your baby can stimulate the flow of milk.

Pumping milk can seem tough in the beginning. Spend the initial few days on learning the technique. Eventually, you will be able to fit it nicely into your schedule. And what is more you will enjoy the best of both worlds!

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Article Source: Pumping Breast Milk: Get the Best of Both Worlds

Where Breast Milk Comes From

By Patrick T Langley 

Since the production of breast milk in order to feed infants is common across mammalian species, it can be easy to see breastfeeding as something completely mundane. Have you ever asked yourself how the body does it, though? How do the breasts "know" when to release milk, and what substances inside the human body are able to combine to form the perfect nutrition for newborns?

Creating breast milk is actually a complex and fascinating process. While many think of the breasts as organs or appendages, what they actually are is glands composed of multiple types of tissue, and these tissue types, as well as other body systems like nerves and blood, all have unique roles to play in breast milk production.

So there is blood in breast milk?

Well, sort of. Some of the components of blood end up in breast milk. The blood itself is more of a transportation system. It brings oxygen and nutrients from other parts of the body and deposits them in breast tissue. The tissue then provides these nutrients to the alveoli for breast milk production.

What kinds of breast tissue are involved, and what do they do?

Blood provides the transport, and breast tissue provides the storage and the "on" switch that tells the alveoli to start milk production.

Fatty tissue in the breasts is primarily a storage mechanism, while glandular tissue switches on milk production. It does this by producing hormones that tell the alveoli in the breasts to get to work.

How do the alveoli work?

The alveoli in the breasts respond to the hormone prolactin. This hormone signals the alveoli that it's time to access the nutrients and oxygen stored in the surrounding tissue and create breast milk. Prolactin is produced as a standard part of the third trimester of pregnancy, but also in response to an infant's suckling, which is how the breast "knows" to continue producing until an infant is done nursing.

How does the breast milk get to the infant?

Once the alveoli, which make up a cluster located near the back of the breast, produce breast milk, it is transported through milk ducts to the nipple, where it is secreted. This is where the nerves come in to the picture.

When the nerves in the breast are stimulated by suckling, it initiates what's called the "let down reflex." This reflex is what tells the milk ducts to send the breast milk to the infant. This reflex usually occurs shortly after suckling begins, and may happen repeatedly throughout a breast feeding session. Some women report a tingling sensation or mild discomfort when the let down reflex occurs, but others don't feel this reflex at all.

If you have problems breast feeding

Even though the process of creating and secreting milk is natural and innate, it still requires practice for both the mother and the baby. Some women feel bad about themselves when they have breast feeding problems, but they absolutely should not.

There is also a possibility that another underlying condition could create pain or other breast feeding issues, and in most cases these problems are very treatable. Don't hesitate to contact your OB/GYN or Nurse Midwife if you have problems producing  milk or other breast feeding issues.

Article Source:  Where Breast Milk Comes From

Breast Milk Production - Is My Milk Supply Low?

By Tasha Franklin 


My breast milk production has decreased, is my milk supply low?

This is a common concern among many mothers, whether they are using a breast pump to express their milk, or breastfeeding exclusively. Some may notice a drop in their milk output, which is the amount of milk expressed not the supply itself, while others may notice a change in their breasts. If this happens it does not mean that your milk supply is low, it is often times due to the fact that your breast milk production has regulated. When your milk first comes in your body will typically produce more than what your baby actually needs, then somewhere around 6 to 12 weeks it decreases. What this means is that your body has figured out how much breast milk your baby needs, based off of the amount of milk being removed, and has regulated the supply to match the demand.

You may also notice that your breasts no longer feel as full as they were during those first few weeks. Again, this doesn't mean that your milk supply is low, it just means that your body has stopped producing too much milk. Unfortunately, because so many women are unprepared for this change, they assume the worst and immediately begin weaning their baby from the breast. This is one of the biggest reasons why so many women start out strong with breastfeeding and later give up because they feel that their milk supply is inadequate.

There are many other possible reasons for a decrease in milk production, ranging from growth spurts to your menstrual cycle, both of which are only temporary decreases that will soon work themselves out. With growth spurts you can add a couple more pumping sessions, or increase nursing frequency to get through.

A decrease in breast milk production can also be caused by the breast pump you are using. Again, this doesn't necessarily mean that your milk supply has decreased, it just means that for whatever reason your breast pump is not capable of giving you a good milk output. Over time this can cause a drop in your milk production, but not if you catch it early on. Make sure that you are using a pump that is designed to be used as much as you are using it. In other words, if you are using a single electric breast pump designed to be used moderately, the pump motor may be wearing out and you'll need to either replace it, or buy a breast pump designed to be used more frequently. Also, make sure that the breast flange, or breast shield is the appropriate size. Some breast pumps only offer a one size fits all breast flange, while others offer several different sizes. If a breast flange or shield is too small for your breast, it can affect your milk output.

How do I increase my milk production and milk output with a breast pump?

Research tells us that in order to increase your milk production, and your milk output, you must empty your breasts completely. The less milk that accumulates in your breasts between feedings and pumping sessions, the better. To do this, you must nurse more often, and increase your pumping sessions after feedings. A double electric breast pump is recommended. Try pumping for at least 15 minutes each session, and continue pumping for 2 to 3 minutes after the last drops have been expressed. This will signal your body to produce more milk. Keep in mind that the breast pump quality can make a huge difference in milk output. Make sure that the breast pump you are using is designed for frequent use.

Some women find it helpful to power pump, or cluster pump. This means nursing and pumping every half-hour to an hour for several hours, for a couple of days. Some women do this every couple weeks to boost their milk production, however, it's important to remember that if you plan to power pump you must give yourself plenty of rest, and lots of fluids.

For more information on breast pumps, or for a list of some of the best breast pumps available, visit http://thetopbreastpumps.com for full in-depth reviews on manual pumps, electric pumps, and hospital grade breast pumps.

Article Source:  Breast Milk Production - Is My Milk Supply Low?