If you’re breastfeeding and unsure whether you are producing enough milk for your baby, you’ve come to the right place! Many moms worry whether they can produce enough milk to adequately feed their baby, however having a low milk supply is not very common. Today, we will look into the signs of a low milk supply, the causes, and debunking some myths!
Common Signs of Low Milk Supply
Baby isn’t gaining weight appropriately
The first sign is that your baby isn’t gaining enough weight or they are losing weight. When your baby is first born it is natural for them to lose some weight in their first couple days of life. As they grow, they should start to gain weight. After the first two(?) weeks they should be back up to their birth weight, and by 4-5 months should be about double their birth weight. If your baby isn’t hitting these goals around those time frames, then they may not be getting enough milk.
Few wet or dirty diapers
As your baby grows, they should be producing plenty of wet diapers. In their first couple weeks of life it is usually no more than 4 wet diapers. The older they get, the more wet diapers they produce, which should be around 6-8 diapers per day. If they are not producing many wet diapers, then they may not be receiving enough milk.
Baby is dehydrated
Another sign that your baby is not getting enough milk is that they are dehydrated. If they have a dry mouth, then they are most likely dehydrated. If their urine is dark, like a deep yellow an orange or a brownish color, and if there is a stronger smell than usual, that is a sign that your baby isn’t getting enough milk. They may also have tearless cries and their eyes may be sunken in in extreme cases.
Low Pump Output
Another sign that you may have a low mil supply is that when you are pumping, you are producing a low amount of milk. When you pump less than 3oz every three hours after being away from your baby, you may have a low milk supply.
Breasts Always Feel Soft and Empty
It is normal and good for your breasts to feel soft and empty after feeding your baby. However, it is a problem and a sign of a low milk supply when your breasts feel like that all the time, not just after a feed.
Baby Unsatisfied After Nursing
The last sign is that your baby is unsatisfied after nursing. When you are feeding your baby and they are pulling away from your breast crying or fussy, or they are popping off your breast more frequently it may be because they need more milk.
Causes of Low Milk Supply
Now that we know the signs of a low milk supply, let’s look at why you may have a low milk supply.
Latch & positioning issues
If your baby is having trouble latching, then that will limit the amount of milk that transfers to the baby. There are a number of reasons that a baby has trouble latching on some as simple as positioning issues, but others are a little harder to fix on the spot like a lip and/or tongue tie.
Feeding schedule
Another cause of low milk supply is your baby’s feeding schedule. Your body produces milk as the baby needs it, and it can tell this by how often they feed. If you are feeding too infrequently, then your body isn’t going to produce enough milk. Or, if you are supplementing their diet with formula, they won’t need to breastfeed as much and so your body won’t know to make enough milk for them.
Medical conditions
There are some medical conditions that can lead to a low milk supply. These include PCOS, thyroid issues, and having gotten a previous breast surgery. Even something like taking a birth control pill can cause your milk supply to go down as it changes your hormones.
Stress & dehydration
Lastly, something that can affect your milk supply is your stress levels and nutrition. When you are under a lot of stress, it messes with your hormones, even those that are needed to produce and transfer your milk to your baby. If you are not eating enough or drinking enough water, than can also affect your milk supply as you will not have enough nutrients to make milk for your baby.
Myths vs. Reality About Low Milk Supply
Some moms may think that they will naturally have a low milk supply because they have smaller breasts, however that is not true at all! Milk supply is not determined by breast size but by the glandular tissue, hormone levels, and how frequently your baby nurses. So, if you’re a mom with smaller breasts, don’t think that your milk won’t be enough for your baby. You CAN produce the milk they need.
Conclusion
As you breastfeed, know that low milk supply is not common. If you have looked at all the signs and think that you aren’t producing enough milk, contact a lactation consultant! I’d be happy to help you on your journey!
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Look for the next post on how to naturally boost your milk supply.