Today, there is an abundance of information about breastfeeding. Yet for many moms, the process can be a challenge. While some women are fortunate enough to produce a lot of milk from day one and have a smooth journey ahead of them, others struggle to meet their baby’s nutritional needs.
In case you’re among those who have issues with your milk supply or feel like you simply don’t have enough of it to keep up with your baby’s needs, we understand how stressful this situation can get. However, as challenging as it may seem right now, there is nothing to stress about! Making adjustments to support your breastfeeding journey will help you succeed sooner rather than later.
Don’t stress – Breastfeeding is supposed to be a stress-free time.
Yet this doesn’t always happen. Stress affects the production of hormones, which in turn can have a negative impact on your supply. When you feel stressed out by your breastfeeding efforts, you might notice that your supply decreases. When you feel comfortable and relaxed, you’re more likely to have a successful experience.
If you’re stressed out, try to relax. Go for walks, meditation, or a massage. Do whatever you need to do to reduce your stress levels. Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience for both you and your baby. It doesn’t need to be stressful. If you feel stressed but don’t know why to try to figure out what’s causing you to feel that way. Is it your diet? Your schedule? Your expectations of yourself? Once you figure out what’s causing your stress, try to find a way to reduce it.
Try lactation consultations and counseling.
A lactation consultant can help you understand what might be causing your supply issues and help you fix them to increase your milk supply. They are trained in helping women with all kinds of breastfeeding challenges and can offer you advice based on your situation.
If you don’t have access to a lactation consultant, you can try counselors or other professionals who work with parents, such as nurses, midwives, or pediatricians. Counseling can help you deal with the emotions and feelings that might be affecting your breastfeeding experience. If your baby isn’t gaining enough weight, for example, you may feel worried and stressed out. This can affect your supply and make the situation worse.
Increase your fluid intake.
Breast milk contains water, so the more water you drink, the more water you’re putting in your breasts. Your breasts may contain large amounts of milk, which is actually an amazing and helpful thing, but they don’t have enough water to make it. Drinking water can help increase the amount of water in your breasts, which can make your milk richer and more nutritious. If you’re breastfeeding, it is generally recommended that you drink about 2 liters of water each day. This can help increase your milk supply, as well as make you more hydrated in general.
Ask for help and employ nursing assistants.
If you’re just starting out with breastfeeding, it can be helpful to have a lactation consultant come to your house to advise you on how to increase your milk supply. You can also ask your pediatrician for help. If your baby isn’t gaining enough weight, your doctor may recommend that you supplement with formula. If so, you can ask for help from a lactation consultant or a breastfeeding counselor to guide you through the process.
In this situation, having help can be beneficial for both you and your baby. If you’re finding breastfeeding challenging, you might want to consider hiring a nursing assistant. This is a person who comes to your home to help you with breastfeeding. They can help you with positioning, offer you snacks and water, and provide you with support.
Supplement with formula while you increase supply.
If your baby isn’t gaining enough weight and breastfeeding, your doctor may recommend that you supplement with formula. If this is the case, don’t feel bad. It’s not a sign of failure. It’s a sign that you’re doing what you need to do to make sure your baby is growing and healthy. Once your baby is on formula, you can work on increasing your milk supply. There are a few different things you can do to increase your milk supply. You can change your diet, take supplements, or get a breast pump and use it every few hours.
Conclusion
There are a lot of different factors that can affect your milk supply, so it’s important to be aware of them. If you’re having problems with your milk supply, try to figure out what might be causing the issue. Once you know what’s causing it, you can work to fix it. Remember, breastfeeding is a beautiful, natural experience. Don’t let these challenges stop you from enjoying the journey. They’re normal and they can be overcome with a little help and patience.
