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Low Milk Supply in a Nursing MotherHow to Overcome One Breastfeeding IssueHow to encourage your body to make more milk through nursing, pumping, supplements and diet.
Going through an illness while nursing a baby can, in some cases, impact your milk supply. Frequent nursing, increased pumping, supplaments and diet can help increase your milk supply after an illness. Frequent NursingFirst and most importantly, nurse your baby as frequently as your baby is willing to, for as long as she was willing to. In the beginning you may have to follow these nursing times with a bottle because your baby is used to getting more milk at a feeding. As time goes on, your baby will become willing to nurse for as long as 20 minutes per side. Rebuilding Milk Supply through Increased PumpingPumping sends your body the signal that it was not making enough milk. You should pump after every feeding, for at least 5 minutes per side, and at least 10 minutes per side whenever you give your baby a bottle. The amount of formula you give your baby should slowly reduce each day as the pumping starts to pay off with more milk at each feeding. Supplements to Encourage Milk ProductionIn the health food section of the grocery store you can find Fenugreek, a supplement that is supposed to help rebuild mom’s milk supply. Take two capsules with breakfast, lunch and dinner, or follow the directions for dosage until your sweat and milk smell like maple syrup. Your baby will begin to smell like maple syrup as well. You can also drink Mother’s Milk tea, and try eating a bowl of oatmeal every day. Nursing Mother’s DietMake sure that you consume the appropriate number of calories as well. While nursing you should consume approximately 2500 calories. This number comes from a typical diet of 2000 calories, and an additional 500 calories to compensate for those your burn from nursing. You will find yourself constantly snacking on something, and learn just how much food you must eat. Make sure you eat healthy! Track your liquid intake to ensure that you are drinking enough water. An easy way to do this is with a water bottle. Make sure that you are drinking between 6 and 8, eight ounce glasses of liquid a day, and water is best. It may take you two to three weeks to regain your milk supply, but you should start seeing improvements within a week or so. Contact a local lactation consultant for help, especially if you do not see improvements within a week. Although it will be hard work, you can regain your milk supply.
The copyright of the article Low Milk Supply in a Nursing Mother in Breastfeeding is owned by Jennifer Wagaman. Permission to republish Low Milk Supply in a Nursing Mother in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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