MotherBreastFeeding.com

Do you think your baby is not getting enough milk? In medicine, this is known as hypolactation. The main causes of hypolactation are:

• your baby cannot fall asleep after lactation. It is naughty and worried
• periods between lactation are nearly equal, if your baby wakes up earlier - this may be a sign of not getting enough milk
• pay attention to your baby's bowels – color changes (brown or dark), density changes (too watery or too thick) result from hypolactation
• if your baby does not have intestine disorders and a high temperature but the number of times of urination decreased significantly (less than 6 times a day), this may be another sign of not getting enough milk
• if for 2 weeks your baby's growth rate is negative – this means hypolactation

Do you know that baby's daily food consumption depends on the baby's age?

10 days - 2 months - 1/5 of baby's weight
2 -4 months - 1/6 of baby's weight
Starting with the 2nd week of breastfeeding the minimum weight growth should be 125 g.

Watch the symptoms above and if you find some in your baby, consult your pediatrician or lactation consultant. Still, most likely your baby is not getting enough milk.

What can we do about it? There are two options – either to increase breast milk supply or to resort to formulas. Let's leave formulas aside, otherwise, let's talk about ways to increase lactation.

1. Eating balanced meal. During lactation period a mother should get 500-700 Cal more. Be sure to eat 200 g of meat, 500 g of vegetables and 300 g of fruits a day.
2. Proper breastfeeding. Nurse upon request, mind right latch on, check the way your baby takes the nipple, do not forget to nurse at night.
3. Herbs and herb collections that increase breast milk. Cumin, fennel, coriander, rose, lungwort – these herb decoctions benefit mother's glands.
4. Put off dummies, "bottle suckling" leads to incorrect breast stimulation.
5. Observe a sleep regime, sleep with your baby, especially at a daytime.
6. Be calm, concentrate on your baby.
7. Mind that taking drugs may lead to lack of breast milk.
8. Increase water consumption. Drink no less than 2 L a day till your lactation gets normal. When you start to produce enough milk, check if it is not too watery.
9. Avoid artificial nipples. Give baby your breast every time it needs food or just comfort.
10. Massage your breasts often. After nursing or pumping, wash the breast with warm water and massage it down through the nipple from all areas of the breast. Two times a day will do.
11. Take a warm bath and a cup of tea before breastfeeding. Get warm, relax and start nursing.
12. Try nursing lying in a warm bath.
13. Undress your baby during breastfeeding. Stomach-to-stomach contact, full relaxation and mutual understanding.
14. Take polyvitamins prescribed by your pediatrician.
15. Take prescription medications that your doctor offers but be sure to check their side effects in advance.