Is your baby getting enough milk? Everything about breast milk supply!

Hello! If you are a new mother, you have a lot of questions on your mind, right? Especially about breastfeeding. Although it is a very natural thing, sometimes small problems can arise. The biggest question that many mothers have is, "Is my baby getting enough milk?" So, don't worry, you are not alone. Today, we will talk in detail and very simply about this milk supply (`Milk Supply`), that is, the amount of milk produced, and the problems you have related to it.

How do I know for sure if my baby is getting enough milk?

This is a problem that many mothers have. Some mothers think, "Oh, I don't know if I'm getting enough milk" because their breasts feel light after the baby finishes feeding. But there are very simple ways to tell if your baby is getting enough milk . The main thing is to look at your baby's nappy.

The story of how a baby urinates

Your baby's diaper will give you the best clue about this.

• In the early days: For the first 2-3 days after birth, a thick yellow milk comes out. We call it colostrum. Although this is small in quantity, it is very good and protects the baby from getting sick. So, within the first 24 hours of drinking this colostrum, the baby may urinate once or twice. Don't worry about it.
• After 3-4 days: When your real milk starts to come in (we call it "milk coming in"), your baby should be urinating more often. He should be having at least 6 wet nappies a day . If the urine is light in color and clear like water, it means your baby is getting enough milk and is getting enough water.
• Be careful: If you urinate less often and your urine is dark yellow, it could mean that your baby is not getting enough milk/water. If this happens, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor.
• Orange crystals: Sometimes you may see small orange crystals (urate crystals) in your baby's nappy. These can occur in healthy, well-fed babies, and are usually nothing to worry about. However, in rare cases, this can be a sign that your baby is not getting enough water. So, it's best to let your doctor know if you see anything like this.

The story told in the way Baba Kakka does it

A baby's poop also tells us a lot.

• In the early days: A newborn's first poop is a thick, blackish-green color, similar to tar ( meconium ). This is normal. As the mother's milk starts to come in, which is about two to three days, the poop will start to turn a slightly greenish-yellow color.
• After 3-4 days: Baby should be passing yellow, seedy poop at least 4 times a day. Most of the time, he will be passing a little poop after every feed.
• About a month later:As your baby gets older, which is about a month, the frequency of pooping may decrease. Some babies may not poop for a few days. This is normal, and if your baby is fine, don't worry about it.

If these signs are present, the baby is probably getting enough milk!

Not only diapers, but other things can also help you determine whether your baby is getting enough milk.

• If the baby is breastfeeding well and eagerly, about 8-12 times a day.
• If you are happy and at peace after drinking the milk.
• If you sleep well.
• If you stay alert and active while you're awake.
• If the baby is gaining weight properly every month (this will be checked by the family health worker or doctor).

If you're still unsure, like "I don't know if my baby is getting enough milk," the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor or family health worker. They'll examine your baby and tell you for sure.

How can I increase my milk supply?

This is another question that many mothers ask. "I feel like I'm not making enough milk, is there anything I can do to increase my milk supply?" You can! Your milk supply depends on how much your baby drinks, and how much you express (by pumping or hand expressing). Simply put, it's a matter of "demand and supply."

• Give more milk: If you feel like you don't have enough milk, give your baby more milk. Feed him whenever he asks. When your baby sucks more milk, your brain gets a signal that "you need to make more milk."
• Pump after breastfeeding: Pumping both breasts for a few minutes after you finish feeding your baby will help stimulate milk production .
• These things can temporarily reduce your milk supply: Sometimes, stress, illness, or some medications you take can temporarily reduce your milk supply. But it's temporary.
• Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious foods: Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. Eat fruits, vegetables, greens, and foods with good protein (like fish, meat, eggs, peas, and lentils). These help in milk production.
• Think about yourself too: Set aside at least 15-30 minutes a day for yourself. Be free for a while, do something you enjoy. Being happy and relaxed also helps your milk flow.
• If your baby is under 6 months old and you are going to work:If you are away from your baby for more than a day, don't forget to pump or hand express your milk at least every 3 hours. That's how you can keep your milk supply up.

If, despite all this, you still feel like you're not producing enough milk, or if you're really worried, definitely talk to a doctor or a lactation consultant. They'll be able to give you better advice.

Will milk supply increase if I delay breastfeeding?

Oh no! In fact, the opposite is true. The longer you delay breastfeeding, or pumping, the more likely your milk supply will decrease. Think of your breasts as storage tanks. When these tanks are full and tight (we call them engorged), the brain gets a signal saying, "Oh, the tank is full, now stop making milk." So, instead of waiting for your milk to fill up, it's best to express milk when your baby asks or when your breasts feel heavy.

Oh, I feel like I'm getting too much milk! What should I do?

While some mothers have a problem with not enough milk, others think, "Oh, I have too much milk, my baby can't even finish it." Some mothers' bodies naturally produce more milk than their baby needs. Others overstimulate their breasts by pumping or hand expressing milk frequently during feedings. This can also cause increased milk production.

Okay, if you also feel like you're producing too much milk, try these things:

• Switch breastfeeding sides: Do you start each feeding on the same side? Or, if you started one feeding on the right side, start the next feeding on the left side.
• Keep the baby on one side for a long time: Keep the baby on one breast until the breast on that side is very soft, or until you feel that the baby has finished drinking. Then, only if the baby still doesn't seem to be getting enough, offer the other side.
• If possible, offer only one side at a time: If your baby is satisfied with one side, that's enough for that time. Over time, your milk supply and the spontaneous flow of milk (we call this the `let-down reflex` or `milk ejection reflex`) will become a little more controlled, and you will feel more comfortable.
• If you have difficulty expressing, just a little: If your breasts are full and hard and causing pain or discomfort, express or pump just enough milk to relieve the discomfort. Do not empty the breast completely. Doing so may cause your baby to signal "more milk" again and produce more milk.

If you still have trouble making enough milk despite doing these things, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor or a lactation consultant.

My baby only drinks from one side. Will this affect my milk supply?

Some babies are perfectly satisfied when they breastfeed from one side. Other babies prefer only one side. You may be wondering, "Oh, my baby only breastfeeds from one side, will the milk flow from the other side decrease?"

• It's okay if you don't have any discomfort: If your baby is drinking from one side and you don't have any discomfort or fullness in the other breast, you definitely don't need to pump it.
• If it's uncomfortable, remove some: However, if the breast on the non-feeding side feels full, tight, and painful, remove some milk by hand expressing or pumping until the discomfort is gone.
• It's best to alternate sides: However, the best way to maintain a good milk supply in both breasts and prevent engorgement is to alternate sides as much as possible. This means that you can breastfeed a little from both sides at the same time, or you can breastfeed from one side at one time and the other side the next time.
• Allow for hindmilk: The most important thing is to wait until the baby is on one side until that breast is soft. This is when the baby gets the thicker, more nutritious, and calorie -rich "hindmilk," which comes first, after the slightly thinner foremilk. This hindmilk helps the baby gain weight and sleep longer when full. Only then should you switch to the other side.

My baby is sleeping more at night. Will this affect my milk supply?

Newborn babies wake up frequently to nurse in the first few weeks. But once they get a little bigger and reach their birth weight (usually within a few weeks), they start sleeping longer and longer at night. Moms often wonder, "Oh, will my milk supply decrease if my baby doesn't nurse at night and sleeps longer?"

Don't be afraid, that won't happen.

• As your baby starts sleeping longer at night, the intervals between nighttime feedings will gradually increase. This will not harm your breastfeeding efforts.
• A growing baby can drink more milk at one time during the day, and the energy it provides will help them sleep longer at night.
• Your milk supply will adjust to this new pattern. That is, when your baby is nursing less at night, your milk supply may decrease slightly to compensate, and your milk supply may increase during the day as your baby is nursing more during the day. The body has a wonderful way of regulating these things.
• If you experience discomfort due to full breasts at night:If your baby is sleeping well, but you wake up in the middle of the night because your breasts are full and sore, try expressing or pumping just enough milk to relieve the discomfort. This will help your body adjust to the new schedule.

The important thing is that if you pay close attention to your baby's ``cues'', the signs that your baby is hungry, and space out feedings accordingly, your milk supply will match your baby's needs exactly.

So, let's remember this? (Take-Home Message)

Breastfeeding is a beautiful and precious experience, but it's also normal to have some minor problems.

• The best way to tell if your baby is getting enough milk is to look at their nappies. If they have at least 6 wet nappies a day, 4 yellow poo, are happy, active, and gaining weight, they are probably getting enough milk.
• If you don't have enough milk, breastfeed frequently, pump after breastfeeding. Drink plenty of water, eat nutritious foods, and take care of yourself.
• Delaying breastfeeding will not increase milk production, it will decrease it.
• If there is too much milk coming in, try giving it to one side at a time, and only remove a little milk if it is uncomfortable.
• If the baby sleeps longer at night, it won't have a big impact on milk supply, it's just a matter of the baby's growth.
• Most importantly: If you have any questions or concerns, don't suffer alone, talk to a doctor, a family health worker, or a lactation consultant. They are there to help you.

You are not going through this journey alone. You can do it!

`Breastfeeding, milk supply, milk quantity, newborn baby, nappies, pumping milk, Lactation Consultant