Every single breastfeeding mother worries about the milk supply and not producing enough milk for their infant at some point in their motherhood journey. This leads to self-questioning and doubts, which make women stop breastfeeding and shift to formula milk.
If you are such a mother and facing a tough time, you will likely consult a lactation expert. At Tongue Tie Phoenix, lactation consulting services are exclusively designed for first-time mothers to help them understand how to sustain milk supply, look for signs of decreasing milk supply at three months, and other such concerns.
Book your appointment today and get the initial assessment done in no time.
How Do I Know If I Have Low Milk Supply?
Knowing if you truly need more milk supply is quite difficult at home. Several newborn behaviors make new moms make mistakes about low milk supply.
Interestingly, findings reveal that 35% of mothers in the US end up weaning their babies because of PIM (Perceived Insufficient Milk).
Moreover, mothers find fussy and cluster-feeding babies due to ineffective feeding experience, which is normal and indicates there is nothing wrong with milk production.
The signs of low milk supply include prolonged periods when babies don’t gain weight. Further, it is also indicated by lowered (poo and wee) output in babies.
If you are a new mother concerned about your milk drying, you need to look for the signs and remedies to come out of this situation.
Causes of Temporary Low Milk Supply
Sometimes, mothers may experience a phase of reduced milk supply during their motherhood. It can occur for several reasons and pass eventually.
Some common causes of temporary reduced milk supply in mothers include:
5 Common Signs Your Milk Supply is Decreasing
Many signs of milk regulation are interpreted as signs of a short milk supply that must be corrected. It only indicates that your baby and your body are adjusting to breastfeeding. Some major signs that indicate your milk supply is decreasing at four months include:
1: Baby is low on energy
If your baby shows fussy behavior, gets tired easily, and shows a not-so-active response, it is a sign of not getting enough milk. Often, babies feel lethargic and struggle to stay awake while feeding. A low milk supply can sometimes occur due to your baby’s low demands.
2: No weight gain in babies
Although it’s normal for babies to lose weight while breastfeeding, they regain this weight in 2 weeks. Regulated milk supply helps babies gain body weight.
During the early six months, babies gain weight slowly. However, this must be evident from the growth chart. If your infant is not gaining at least a single pound every month, it indicates that they are not taking in enough calories or getting enough milk.
3: Baby’s number of dirty diaper changes
Mothers can easily judge the milk supply curve by the baby’s wet and dirty diaper changes. A breastfeeding baby must have one wet diaper in a day, along with other signs.
If your baby is exclusively on mother feed, you can notice how often they wee and poo by a drop in milk supply. It has a direct effect on dropping the diaper changes.
4: Baby is dehydrated
One of the potential signs of decreased milk supply is that your baby is always dehydrated. You will notice no tears or crying and darker urine. Moreover, you may notice fontanelle, which appears as a soft spot or flat on the head.
5: Closed fists
Keeping an eye on the baby’s growth and activities can help parents better understand what is causing the low milk supply. If your baby is now swallowing sounds during feeding and still seems hungry after the feeding session, it shows that the mother is low on milk.
3 Tips to Increase Milk Supply in New Mothers
Before looking for home remedies and solutions to this problem, the first step is to determine why your milk supply is low. You can self-discover by looking at your lifestyle and other complications during delivery.
In some cases, when mothers suffer from excessive blood loss after birth, it can also affect milk supply. Additionally, there are some foods and natural ingredients that help increase the milk supply, such as:
However, here are some suggestions that you can apply and check if it works:
1: Breastfeed frequently
Frequently feeding your baby rather than prolonged feeding suggests a better approach. Make sure to feed your baby after every 1.5 to 2 hours. It can help the babies learn how to latch and boost their milk supply.
2: Use breast pumps
Using an electric breastfeeding pump can be a lifesaver for mothers who want to mother-feed their babies and want to avoid formula milk. A wearable breast pump will free you to pump milk and save it for later use. It is beneficial when you are on the go and don’t want to compromise on mother feed.
3: Switch nursing
Try switch nursing by offering each breast side several times per feed. It will tell your body to pump the volume to fill both sides and tell you different positions.
Think of this matter as demand and supply to resolve this matter. The more milk your body will leave, the more milk your body will produce as well. Only a qualified lactation consultant can help you identify the exact reason and support the rectification of your breastfeeding issues. Let us help you for a good cause.
FAQs
How can you tell if breast milk is drying up?
In the beginning, it’s normal for newborns to lose 5 to 7 percent of their birth weight. However, if your baby shows continued weight loss, it indicates it is not taking enough milk.
Do soft breasts mean a low milk supply?
No, it does not indicate any such sign. The breasts feel softer and less full when your milk supply adjusts to the baby’s demands.
Is it normal for the milk supply to decrease suddenly?
Sometimes, it is possible to watch a sudden drop, such as when mothers return to work or do not pump enough. Furthermore, not staying with the baby for enough time or using medication can result in this.
Can you increase your milk supply after losing it?
Yes, you can regain the milk supply once you lose it. Certain food ingredients and techniques can help, such as pumping at least eight to twelve times for 20 to 30 minutes. Additionally, seeking professional lactation consultation can help restore it.
