Breast Milk Production - Low Production During Pregnancy

One of the sad aspects of breastfeeding is that many women give as the main reason for weaning their baby after only a few weeks the fact that they have an inadequate milk supply. In many cases, they think that they have an insufficient milk supply, worry that their baby is not getting enough nourishment and give up without being absolutely sure that there is even a problem.

If a baby is gaining weight well on breast milk alone, then there is not a problem with milk supply. While it is only too true that some women do find it difficult to initiate and maintain a supply sufficient to totally nourish their baby, there are many way to help rectify this situation.

These are some of the causes of breast milk production:

• Milk is produced by you as your baby feeds and so the amount that he takes from you lets your body know how much milk is required. Breast feeding is a demand and supply process. If you are supplementing by giving a bottle of formula, juice or even water to your baby, you are giving a signal to your body to produce less milk.
• If you give a bottle to your baby when you are trying to breast feed, you can cause nipple confusion. A bottle requires a different type of sucking to breast feeding and it is easier for your baby to feed from a bottle. So this confusion can cause your baby to have problems breast feeding and learning to suck properly or he can actually prefer the constant faster flow he gets from a bottle.
• Pacifiers or dummies can also cause nipple confusion plus they can reduce the amount of time your baby spends sucking at the breast and this can cause the milk supply to drop.
• Nipple shields – these can also lead to nipple confusion as well as reducing the stimulation to your nipple.
• If you stick rigidly to a schedule for feeding your baby, you may also be interfering with the supply and demand cycle of milk production and thereby reduce the supply of milk even if only at a later stage. It is best to breast feed your baby whenever he is hungry or in need of comfort.
• If you have a very sleepy baby during the first few weeks who only asks to be fed infrequently and for short periods, then you need to initiate such feeding yourself at least every 2 hours during the day and at least every 4 hours during the night in order to establish your milk supply. After a few weeks, you will find that your baby starts to wake up and demand regular feeding.
• Stopping a feed before the baby finishes feeding is another cause because it interferes with the supply-demand cycle.
• Offering only one breast – this can also cause a low milk supply so it is best for your baby to completely finish one breast and then offer the second until your milk supply is well established.
• If your baby has certain health or anatomical problems – and these prevent him from removing enough milk from your breast, this can also be a cause.
The best prescription for maximum milk production is effective and frequent breast feeding with plenty of fluids, adequate calories and rest for the nursing mother.