source of article: http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/feeding/breastfeed_supply.html#cat20573
Whether you're a new mom or a seasoned
parenting pro,breastfeeding often comes with its fair share of questions.
Here are answers to some common questions that mothers — new and veteran — may
have.
How can I increase my milk supply?
Your milk supply is determined by the
stimulation that your baby provides while nursing. In other words, the more you
breastfeed, the more milk your body produces. So, if you seem to be producing
less milk than usual, you should try to feed your baby more often. You also can
pump after nursing to help stimulate more milk production.
Stress, illness, and some medications
can temporarily decrease your supply. Drinking water to satisfy your thirst and
eating good, nutritious food can help. But also try to take some time for
yourself each day, even if it's only for 15-30 minutes.
If your baby is less than 6 months old
and you're away from your little one for long stretches during the day (for
instance, at work), you should pump or hand express every 3 hours to maintain
your supply. Your freshly pumped breast milk can stay at room temperature for
6-10 hours, or in the refrigerator for up to 8 days. When keeping it in the
refrigerator, never store it on the shelves in the door.
If the milk is not going to be used within
8 days, you can store it in the freezer for 6-12 months. Put it in the freezer
compartment of a refrigerator that has a separate suction-sealed door or in a
deep freezer.
If your milk supply still seems low and
you're concerned, you may want to talk to your doctor, your pediatrician, or a
lactation consultant.
If I wait to nurse, will my milk supply increase?
Actually, no — it's the opposite.
Waiting too long to nurse or pump can slowly reduce your milk
supply. The more you delay nursing or pumping, the less milk your body will
produce because the overfilled breast sends the signal that you must need less
milk.
Once babies are back to their birth
weight, they can sleep for longer stretches at night and will gradually
lengthen the time between nighttime feedings. Letting your baby sleep for
longer periods during the night won't hurt your breastfeeding efforts. Your
baby is able to take more during feedings and that, in turn, will have him or
her sleeping longer between nighttime feedings. Your body will adjust to the
longer spacing.
Some moms wake during the night with
full breasts and a sleeping baby. If that happens to you, pump for comfort and
to help your body adjust to your little one's new schedule at night.
The interval for daytime feedings
usually stays between 1 and 3 hours for the first few months and then may
lengthen to 4 hours or so. Cutting back on feedings during the day can lead to
a decreased milk supply over time.
If you follow your baby's cues and
spread out the feedings as he or she wishes, your milk supply should remain at
what your baby needs.
I'm producing too much milk. What can I do?
Whereas some women may feel like they
don't have enough milk, others may feel like they're making too much. Some
mothers' bodies just produce more milk than their babies need. Others
overstimulate their breasts by pumping or expressing milk between feedings. If
expressing or pumping to relieve discomfort, remove just enough to feel
comfortable but don't empty the breast.
Alternate the breast that you start
each feeding with. Let the baby stay at the first breast until either the
breast is very soft or the baby is full. If the baby is not satisfied with the
first breast, then offer the second breast.
A mom may try nursing on one breast
only during a feeding to help to lessen her milk supply. Over time, you should
notice your milk supply and "let-down" (the milk ejection reflex)
become easier to handle.
Sometimes a woman's let-down is really
strong and causes the baby to gag and pull off of the breast. If your baby is
staying on the breast and handling the flow of milk, you don't need to do
anything. If the baby is pulling off and coughing, then you can sit your baby
up in a seated burp position. Pat your baby's back to help him or her regain
composure. You can use a burp cloth pressed into the breast to help slow the
flow, then latch your baby back onto your breast when ready to resume feeding.
Nursing your baby in a more upright
position (head above the breast) also may decrease the force of the let-down. A
side lying position also might help slow the flow of milk.
My baby favors just one breast. Is this OK?
Some babies might prefer one breast
over the other. If this happens, to keep up your milk supply in both breasts
(and prevent painful engorgement), alternate breasts and keep your baby on the
first breast until it's soft, then move your baby to the second breast. This
ensures that your little one gets the hindmilk, which is creamier
and contains more calories than the foremilk, which comes at the
beginning of a feeding.
Some babies will always take the second
breast and some will be satisfied with just the first breast. At the end of the
feeding, if both breasts are comfortable, you don't need to pump. But if either
breast is still full and uncomfortable, pump or hand express to comfort.
Of course, if your baby won't latch
onto one of your breasts, pump or hand express that breast to maintain its milk
supply until your little one is latching onto both breasts easily.
Reviewed by: Joseph DiSanto, MD, and Karin Y. DiSanto, IBCLC
Date reviewed: January 2012
Date reviewed: January 2012
