Breast Feeding - How to Ensure that Your Baby is Getting Enough Milk

Most of the mothers do not have a problem with producing enough milk to breast-feed their babies. Some mom's stop breast-feeding their babies simply because they feel that they do not have enough milk. The ideal way to make sure that your baby is getting enough milk is to position the baby well, attached to the breast, and feed him as often as he gets hungry.

There are many signs that might make you believe that your baby may not be getting enough milk. If the baby seems to be hungry or unsettled after feeding, or if he wants to be fed often with short intervals between feedings, then there is a chance of your baby not getting enough milk. The two reliable signs that make you feel the insufficiency of your milk can be poor weight gain or passing small amounts of concentrated urine. Almost all the babies lose weight within the first few days after birth as they are born with supplies of fat and fluids, which keep them going for the first days.

Once your baby regains the birth weight, then he should put on weight around 200g in the first three months or so. If your baby's weight seems to be slow then you must ask your doctor or nurse to observe your breast-feeding. This way, they can correct your technique if at all there is something wrong. To help you with your breast- feeding, here are some ways that you can ensure the supply of milk:

1. You have to be sure that your baby's position is correct and attached to the breast.

2. Let your baby drink milk for as often as he wants, as frequent feeding is the key to increase the production of milk.

3. You should offer him more feeds if you feel that breast-feeding is not enough.

4. Make sure that you breast feed from both the breasts every time you feed him.

5. Stop your baby from using a dummy.

6. The problems with milk supply can be that the baby might be sleepy and reluctant to feed.

Many experts say that it is very rare that the milk is insufficient. Many mothers think their milk supply is low and actually, it may not be true. Thinking of this, if you lose the feeling of fullness or if the leaking of milk stop from your nipples. Babies may go through growth of spurts that can make them drink more milk than usual, and this can leave your breasts less than full.

Some of the Causes of poor milk supply:

1. If the mother is not able to feed the baby as frequently as required because of what ever reason.

2. If not feeding because of nipple pain, or a poor latch on technique.

3. If the mother is Ill and cannot feed the baby then there can be low supply.

4. Birth control pills having estrogen may also affect the production of milk.

What to eat and what to avoid during breast-feeding?

As the nutritional requirements for the baby solely depends on the breast milk, the mother should make sure to have healthy diet. When the baby is big and growing fast, the fat gained during pregnancy depletes quickly. This implies that the mother may have trouble eating more and healthy food to meet the demands of the breast milk needed for the baby.

Diet for the feeding mothers usually involves a high calorie, high nutrition diet which followed from the time of pregnancy. Though feeding mothers can produce milk with nutritional content even in famine conditions, a malnourished mother may produce milk that lack in the levels of vitamins A, D, B6, and B12.

Breast feeding mothers who smoke must be extremely cautious. If the number exceeds 20 in a day, then there can be reduction in the milk supply, causes vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, and rapid heart rate in the babies. SIDS is the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that is more common in babies who tend to get exposed to smoke. Naturally, heavy drinking can harm the baby, as well as the mother. It' s better for the breast feeding mothers to avoid alcohol and even caffeine or have very small quantity of it.

The most common offenders during breastfeeding may include sweets, chocolates, spices, garlic, lime, citrus fruits, chili, gassy vegetables, and fruits with laxative type effects, like cherries. This can also vary from person to person.

Before you want to actually take away any of your foods from your diet, you should talk to your doctor. Avoiding certain foods may cause nutritional imbalance, so you need to see a nutritionist before adding or avoiding any of the foods.

Sources: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-feeding/FL00105