"Does my baby have enough milk?" - a question that worries many mothers. Pediatricians with growth charts, grandmothers with their memories, friends with very different experiences - everyone is interested in the baby’s weight and behavior, and now the mother begins to worry...

Exact sign

There is only one sign that reliably tells whether there is enough milk or not: good weight gain. According to World Health Organization standards, infants should gain at least 125 g per week during the first few months of life. Note that a newborn’s weight gain in the first month is calculated not from the body weight at birth, but from the minimum weight, because in the first few days of life the baby often loses up to 10% of the weight with which it was born. This phenomenon is absolutely normal, but the lost 200-300 g are also returned not by themselves, but by mother’s milk!

When calculating increments, there is usually no need to weigh the child more than once a week. And the “control feedings” that doctors of the “old Soviet school” loved so much do not give any idea at all about the amount of milk a mother has - on the contrary, Too frequent weighings make both mother and baby nervous, just because of the weighings themselves, the baby may suck less, and the mother’s milk production may be worse. It is quite enough to do this once a week, at about the same time, and you need to weigh the baby naked or in a just put on dry diaper (a thoroughly soaked diaper or diaper can weigh up to 250 grams).

Well, in order for the mother to be able to navigate the situation every day, you can conduct a “wet diaper test,” that is, count how many times the baby pees. For a child over a week old whoreceives exclusively mother's breasts, without supplementary feeding or supplementary feeding with anything, the number of "pees" less than 8 times a day can make you think about insufficient milk supply.If the number of urinations per day is 8 or more, then the baby has enough milk, although, most likely, it makes sense to offer the breast more often. Well, when a baby urinates 12 or more times, then, as a rule, this indicates that there is a very good weight gain and, accordingly, there is no need to worry about the amount of milk!

Unreliable signs

And yet, most mothers begin to worry about the lack of milk, without focusing on the baby’s growth. A study conducted by Russian doctors in Astrakhan (A.A. Dzhumagaziev et al., 2004) showed that the most common reason for starting to use formula - 50% of all cases - was considered by mothers to be “lack of milk”. However, an in-depth analysis found that this “diagnosis” was justified in only 2.4% of cases. Usually mothers take the following as signs of lack of milk...

Mom stops feeling hot flashes . Most mothers (although not all) feel a rapid and strong filling of the breast with milk only in the first few weeks after childbirth, when the new hormonal status of the body has not yet become established. At this time, milk arrives sharply and immediately in large quantities, and after the so-called establishment of lactation, the body adapts to the child’s needs, and milk begins to arrive little by little, but constantly. As a result of the establishment of lactation, the breasts seem smaller and softer than they were just recently, but this is not due to changes in the amount of milk produced, but simply due to the absence of previous sharp hot flashes! The very feeling “my breasts are soft and seem empty” does not say anything about the amount of milk - while the baby sucks and swallows, there is milk in the breast, even if it seems to you that this is not so: it’s not about the milk at all, you just have an established lactation.

Mom can pump just a little . The breast is not a bottle; it does not show exactly how much milk the baby has sucked. Some mothers, worried about this, try to express milk just to understand how much there is. But the amount that you manage to express, even if it’s one tablespoon, means nothing. Breast pumps are different, many models simply do not work well enough in principle or for some breast characteristics; and you need to be able to pump effectively by hand. And the most important thing: no breast pump and no hands alone can extract milk as well as a properly attached baby can suck it out! The breast and the child are originally intended for each other; everything else remains an imitation.

The baby often asks for the breast and sucks for a long time . There is no one-size-fits-all rule for how often or how long a baby should feed. The child asks his mother to give him the breast whenever something bothers him! This “something” may be hunger, but hunger is not the only or even the main reason for a baby’s anxiety. The baby may remember the stress of childbirth, he may be bothered by pain in the tummy, or his head may hurt due to changes in atmospheric pressure and changes in weather. And since the mother’s breast is the calmest and most comfortable place in the world, in all these cases the baby will begin to give signs that he wants to suck: he turns his head from side to side, pulls his hands to his mouth, opens his mouth, even smacks his lips... And the baby sucks evenly as long as he needs to calm down. When the discomfort is slight, then a couple of minutes may be enough, during which the baby will suck only 5-10 ml, which is necessary simply to achieve comfort and get the feeling that he is loved by his mother and his mother accepts him. And other times the baby may be at the breast for a very long time; Many babies love to sleep under the breast while sucking, and this is completely natural for a baby! If the baby is constantly “hanging” on the chest, this also speaks not so much about the amount of milk (everything may be fine with him!) but about the quality of the latch. Unfortunately, with a shallow or incorrect attachment to the breast, the baby needs much more time to receive the portion of milk necessary for saturation, although there may be enough of it in the breast. In cases where the baby sucks for a long time and often - for example,feeding durationabout an hour with breaks, also about an hour, and so on constantly - it is necessary for the situation to be assessed by an experienced lactation consultant, since it is precisely this behavior that often indicates improper latching. The consequence is a decrease in the amount of milk that the baby is able to receive from the breast, even if there is quite enough of it there.

Baby screams after feeding . Sometimes, indeed, a baby can suckle for a long time and not get enough - especially, as we have already said, in the case of improper attachment to the breast, when it is difficult for the baby to effectively produce milk. But there are many other reasons for this behavior: it could be colic, or teething, or a desire to stay with mom longer, or even get a pacifier if mom gives it often. Based on such behavior alone, one cannot conclude that there is a lack of milk!

Baby arches at the chest . But this behavioral feature is usually associated with the flow of milk. Newborns often behave this way because there is a strong flow of milk that they cannot handle. And in older babies, “bending” most often means that the flow of milk is weakening, and the child would like a more active flow. In the first weeks of life, babies in such cases simply fall asleep at the breast, but a few months later - especially if they have experience sucking a pacifier or bottle - the baby begins to express his dissatisfaction with “bending” or scandals. The amount of milk has not changed, the baby has changed!

What to do?

But suppose the mother received strong confirmation of her opinion about the lack of milk. What to do if there is really less of it than the baby needs? Don’t rush to supplement with formula! Lactation is a hormone-dependent process. The hormone prolactin, which is responsible for milk production, is produced in response to breast stimulation. This means that the amount of milk can vary either less or more depending on your baby's sucking behavior. And in order for the baby to have enough milk, by and large it is enough to follow only four principles (they are arranged in order of importance):

Attach your baby to the breast correctly . This is important not only for the child, but also for the mother, since if applied incorrectly, the baby can damage the breast (which is why cracks occur). Feeding with improper attachment is often ineffective: the baby does not receive enough milk, although he can suck a lot and for a long time. The correct attachment is affected by the use of a pacifier and a bottle, since the very principle of sucking a nipple and a breast is different! No matter what “orthodontic” shape the nipple has, nothing can change the simple fact that to suck the breast the child needs to open his mouth wide and actively work with the lower jaw (this is the only way milk is extracted from the breast), and to suck the nipple it is enough to open his mouth slightly and make suction movements with your cheeks. And the feel of a mother’s soft breast is very different from the hard silicone nipple, which implies a different degree of impact. Very often, a child who is accustomed to sucking a pacifier begins to latch onto the breast incorrectly and suckle poorly! Therefore, if the baby needs to be given medicine or supplementary feeding, it is better to do this from a cup, spoon, pipette or other supplementary feeding devices, in addition to a bottle nipple; You can watch a video about various methods of supplementary feeding, in addition to the pacifier .

To get your baby to breastfeed well, try doing this. Press the baby's tummy firmly against you so that the nipple is approximately at the level of the nose. Support the chest with your hand so that the thumb is on top, and the index finger and the rest are on the bottom, parallel to the baby’s lower lip. The index finger should be far from the nipple, no closer than 5 centimeters, so it will not restrict the baby’s opening mouth. Wait until the baby opens his mouth wide and point the nipple up towards the sky. The nipple and areola should be deep in the mouth, more from below than from above. The lower and upper lips turn outward when sucking. When feeding, the baby's head is directed upward, the chin is pressed to the mother's breast, and the nose either touches it with the very tip or is completely free. You can watch very detailed animated videos about correct application , and a video of correct application - .

A baby who is well attached sucks out fairly large volumes of milk during feeding. Moreover, this also applies to cases when the baby falls asleep under the breast - children have a unique ability to eat fully in their sleep! You can be convinced of this if you follow the characteristic way of sucking of a baby who receives milk (and does not just hold the mother’s breast in his mouth): when the baby’s mouth opens as much as possible, then before its jaws move again, the baby’s chin lingers. This “hanging” of the chin means a sip of milk. This can also be noticed by the swallowing movement of the neck, but in some feeding positions it is difficult for the mother to monitor the neck, but tracking the pause between sucking movements is quite simple. a good selection of videos about attachment and supplementary feeding options, where you can look at the features of good and not so good attachment.

Some mothers believe that such pauses indicate that the milk in that breast has already run out. Just the opposite! A baby who suckled at the breast with pauses of 15-20 minutes may be very full at the end of feeding, but if the baby just sucked without swallowing, then even two hours may not be enough for him to eat.

Feed your baby on demand. The main advantage of feeding on demand, which a mother who feeds her baby according to a schedule can never be sure of, is the knowledge that the child is really , and that he is in a state of greatest psychological comfort that is currently available to him. The same child can suck with completely different frequencies at different times of his life, because children grow unevenly and their life circumstances are different. At any time, your baby may unexpectedly require more frequent feedings over a period of several days, causing your milk supply to increase accordingly. Children are great at regulating their needs if you allow them to control the situation. Of course, feeding on demand assumes that the mother gives the breast, and nothing but the breast (no nipples, water or other liquids)!

An important point is that feeding on demand can also mean the mother’s demand. The mother does not have to wait every time until the baby shows interest in feeding; she can offer the breast on her own initiative. For example, the baby has fallen asleep and has not breastfed for 3-4 hours, and the mother’s breasts are already overflowing with milk. Or the mother needs to go somewhere, but before going out she wants to feed the child. Or the mother has stagnation of milk, and she needs the baby’s help to dissolve the lump. Finally, if the “wet diaper test” shows results from 8 to 12 times a day, then the mother should sometimes offer the breast herself so that the baby gets more milk.

Feed at night . The hormone prolactin is a “night” hormone: stimulation of the mother’s breasts from 3 to 8 am causes its maximum production. Therefore, at night the baby eats and “regulates” the amount of milk from the mother. Usually a healthy child, who is not bothered by anything, wakes up two or three times between 3 and 8 a.m. to latch onto his mother’s breast. A mother who underfeeds her baby at night usually notices quite quickly that by the evening there is not enough milk... In emergency cases, when the child himself does not wake up his mother for night feedings, he literally has to set an alarm clock in order to “save milk.” Co-sleeping with a baby or sleeping in a crib as close as possible to the parent's has helped many mothers cope not only with their lack of sleep at night, but also with the problem of lack of milk.

Well relax . If milk production itself is associated with the hormone prolactin, then its release is associated with the hormone oxytocin. When mom is in a constant state of anxiety, the oxytocin response is suppressed by stress hormones. This means that there may even be a lot of milk, but it is poorly released from the breast; It is this condition that is usually called “the milk has disappeared from the nerves.” In fact, it does not “disappear”, but in a nervous mother it is much more difficult for the baby to suck it out. Therefore, it is important for a nursing mother to be able to relax during feeding, get good sleep and be less nervous!

These four principles play a major role in maintaining lactation. If at least one of them is not observed, problems may arise with the amount of milk. There are many “folk” ways to maintain milk production, but most of them have no basis, and the rest will give very little effect without following the basic principles. But they can be used as auxiliary ones.

Pumping can be used to gradually replace formula supplementation with breast milk. In this case, the mother expresses her breasts several times a day (in addition to feeding, if she is with the baby, or instead of feeding, if they are separated), stimulating the breasts for additional milk production and.

It will be great if, if additional feeding is necessary, it is given to the baby throughbreastfeeding system- it is a container into which supplementary feeding is poured, and from where two extremely thin capillaries emerge, one of which is inserted into the baby’s mouth to ensure a constant supply of nutrition while sucking the breast. Even if the breast is completely empty, when using such a system, the baby will receive nutrition through sucking - and, unlike other methods of supplementary feeding, this allows you not only to feed the baby, but also to stimulate the breast to increase the production of its own milk! In the videos linked above, you can look at supplementary feeding using such a system.

Skin to skin contact , that is, often carried in the arms or in a sling, and placing the baby on your stomach stimulates both lactation and the good development of the baby. This is especially useful if the baby is restless under the breast.

Lactogonic agents Different mothers are affected differently. Western doctors and consultants consider the use of the herb and seeds of fenugreek (also known as shamballa and fenugreek) to be effective - you can usually buy it in the spice department; By the way, fenugreek is included in many mixtures sold under the name “curry”; its content in such a mixture can reach 20%. . But in general the recipeswhich are widely used among people, are not effective for everyone - and sometimes, unfortunately, they also cause an allergic reaction in the baby. And, in particular, such a popular remedy as hot tea activates the flow of milk, but does not in any way increase its total quantity.

The main thing to remember is that if the mother wishes, any problem can be solved. Lactation consultants can help transition babies to breastfeeding even when they receive little or no breast milk. Just don't hesitate to ask for advice!

Author , photos were used in the design of the article Olga Ermolaeva

How can you tell if your baby is getting enough breast milk? What signs of deficiency are true, and what to do in a situation where there is really little milk? You need to take a closer look at the baby’s condition and make sure that he takes the breast correctly.

Breastfeeding mothers, especially those with their first child, often feel as if there is not enough milk in their breasts. In a world where everything can be counted and measured, it is difficult to accept the fact that the amount of food for a newborn is determined only by how the mother’s body reacts to the child’s appetite.

It is very important to put your baby to the breast correctly and listen to your feelings. Reliable indicators of adequate or insufficient nutrition are frequency of urination and regularity of bowel movements, and, in the long term, normal weight gain.

The needs of a newborn are determined by two factors: body weight and age. In the first days after birth, mothers worry whether the baby has enough breast milk, since the breast produces very little food for the newborn - nutritious colostrum. The volume of milk required can be imagined if we consider that a baby is born with a stomach with a capacity of 7 ml. Already on the 4th day it will increase to 40 ml, after 10 days it will be approximately 80-90 ml, and by the age of one month it will be equal to 100 ml.

• 10 days-6 weeks - the child needs a volume of milk equal to 1/5 of his own body weight per day;
• 1.5-4 months – 1/6;
• 4-6 months – 1/7;
• 6-8 months – 1/8;
• 8 months – 1 year – 1/9.

On-demand feeding technique

On-demand feeding techniques are the foundation of successful breastfeeding

In the first months of life, contact with the mother is of enormous importance for a child.

Many people think that education begins later, but no, it begins from the first days of life. And refusal of breastfeeding without a good reason, due to difficulties at the stage of lactation formation, leads to the loss of some intimacy with the newborn.

He, like any person, wants to be heard and understood: that is why the technique of feeding on demand has gained such approval.

Trust nature, listen to your child, overcome difficulties. A bottle of formula and a pacifier may be a necessary addition, but they will not replace the closeness that breastfeeding provides.

Feeding “on demand” is recognized by pediatricians as the optimal scenario for healthy and complete lactation. The mother's body is configured to provide the baby with food and is able to produce as much milk as required.

Putting your baby to the breast when he asks is the best way to achieve a balance between milk production and the needs of the newborn.

How often to put a newborn to the breast

Let the child determine how much milk he needs. When lactation begins, you need to put the baby to the breast every time he asks. This will launch the natural mechanism that regulates milk production.

If the mother is guided by some artificially created schedule, she will soon be faced with the question: there is not enough breast milk, what to do? You just need to trust the child with the right to decide how much he will eat, even if at first he asks for the breast 25 times a day. No worries - by 3 months he will reach a regimen of approximately 6 feedings per day.

Regarding the duration of feeding sessions. For a newborn, everything is unusual and frightening, but near the mother’s breast he feels as protected as possible. So even if it seems that the baby is just sleeping with the nipple in his mouth, there is no need to take it away. In addition, the longer he sucks, the better it stimulates lactation.

Signs of milk supply

How do you know if your child is getting enough nutrition? – Watch the child, not the clock! This phrase is familiar to many mothers who have sought advice from lactation specialists.

Neither the duration nor frequency of breastfeeding guarantees that the baby is full. Reliable information can only be obtained by observing the condition of the newborn and the course of natural physiological processes.

Urinary frequency

In the first days after birth, when the baby eats colostrum instead of breast milk, the daily volume of urine will be small. It will take 2 diaper changes, with each baby peeing 2-3 times. You can determine when it's time to change a diaper by weight. A diaper containing urine will weigh the same as a new one with 3-4 tablespoons of water in it.

When a baby switches to full-fledged milk, he gets more fluids and will pee more often. This can happen 12 times per day, so you will need 5-6 diapers.

For the purity of data, it is important that the child is fed only with mother's milk. and extra drinking lead to increased urine production.

Frequency of stool appearance

Pay attention to the consistency and color of the stool - if the feces contain mucus or blood, then this is a cause for concern

If a baby doesn't get enough breast milk, it will be noticeable in his stool. What should a nursing mother expect?

In the first 3 days after birth, the baby will poop dark green meconium 1-2 times a day - this is everything that has accumulated in its intestines during pregnancy.

On the 3rd day, the stool should lighten; normally, the baby’s stool is liquid, mustard-colored, almost odorless. If so, this is a serious cause for concern.

But do not be confused if the child has a real one. Its reasons are described in detail here. If the stool is dark brown and thick, the baby may not have enough milk during breastfeeding, but before introducing supplementary feeding, you should consult a specialist.

The frequency of bowel movements during the development of breastfeeding reaches 5 times a day. Everything is individual: some more often, but little by little, sometimes after each feeding. Some less often, but in impressive portions. Normally, for a baby up to 1.5 months - at least 2 times a day. After 1-1.5 months, the bowel movement pattern may change - this is not a problem if the stool is still mustard-colored and creamy in consistency.

Characteristic sucking

An experienced nursing mother understands that the baby is getting enough milk by the way he sucks. How does this happen? If a newborn holds the nipple in his mouth, and the movement of his lips and cheeks shows that he is trying to suck, this does not mean that he is eating. When he doesn't have enough breast milk, the baby will do the same.

A sure sign that there is enough food is noticeable gaps in the movements of the chin at the moment when the mouth is as open as possible. The correct algorithm for breastfeeding is as follows: mouth wide open - pause - mouth closed. The motion is similar to how adults drink drinks through a straw. A pause in the movement of the chin means that the baby is swallowing milk. The longer it is, the more milk goes into the tiny tummy.

Thus, the time that the baby spends with the breast in his mouth does not play any role - only how he sucks and whether he is able to swallow milk is important.

Weight norm

After giving birth, the baby needs about 4 days to get rid of meconium and swelling, after which weight gain begins. The norm is an increase in body weight of 125-250 g per week. To keep the data clean, you need to weigh your baby either naked or in a dry diaper.

6 false signs of low milk supply and 1 reason to be concerned

Some mothers believe that if there is no feeling of breast fullness, then there may not be enough milk for feeding (this opinion often exists among inexperienced nursing mothers with small breasts)

1. There is no feeling of breast fullness - this is normal; in the first days or weeks after childbirth, few people feel it. Some women do not feel full during the entire period of breastfeeding, and this does not in any way affect the quality of lactation.
2. The baby cries immediately after feeding. One of the reasons may be hunger, but there is a high probability that he is worried about colic or other unpleasant sensations. You should not feed your baby by the hour: let him suckle as much as he wants. Do it.
3. Feeding is frequent and feeding sessions last a long time. There is no single correct lactation schedule– the needs of each baby are individual. Some people want to eat more often, but little by little, while others want to eat less often, but in larger portions. You need to focus on the fact that the child actually sucks the breast and swallows milk, as well as on the volume of stool (2-3 times a day). If it seems that something is wrong and the baby is not eating enough, you need to consult a doctor, and only he can advise how to supplement the baby if there is not enough milk. It is not advisable to introduce complementary foods on your own.
4. Many mothers express milk to estimate the volume and are upset when the results obtained do not meet some standards. In the vast majority of cases, a nursing woman has enough milk in her breasts, and problems arise because the baby is not properly attached to the nipple or is not sucking effectively. Reasons why baby refuses breastfeeding, freaks out and cries, are described in this.
5. If you offer a bottle to a baby immediately after feeding, he will also eat formula. This does not necessarily indicate that he is hungry. By checking the quality of feeding in this way, parents risk influencing it in a negative way.
6. A sharp increase in appetite - the baby asks for the breast more often and sucks longer - means another growth spurt, and not a lack of milk. The baby should be put to the breast on demand, and milk production will very quickly adapt to the increased needs.

If the baby does not wake up on his own for night feeding, this does not mean that he is full. Infants have a very fast metabolism, and they are not able to eat for 7-9 hours.

Please note that weight and height standards are periodically revised approximately every 10 years, and what was the norm 10 years ago is no longer considered the norm now. Dr. Komarovsky talks about this and much more:

Techniques for dealing with deficiency or how to increase milk production

I always scold young mothers who, at the slightest difficulty, run for a bottle of formula. You don't need this! Understand that the healthiest thing for a newborn is mother’s milk..

And bringing lactation back to normal is not that difficult, you just need to make an effort and be patient for a few days. But do not neglect breastfeeding, it provides immunity and protection that are difficult to overestimate.

The baby rarely asks for the breast, looks lethargic and apathetic, and does not gain weight well. Most likely, he lacks natural food. But supplementary feeding with artificial formula should be a last resort, before moving on to it, you should try to establish lactation. What to do if there is not enough breast milk?

• Put the baby to the breast as often as possible, do not take it away until it looks like he is suckling.
• End the feeding session only when the baby wants it.
• Offer both breasts at each feeding. Start the next feeding with the breast that was the last one.
• If the newborn sucks sluggishly, you need to change breasts more often. Every time it is noticeable that he has stopped swallowing, he should be transferred to the other breast.
• Do not give your child a pacifier - it reduces the effectiveness of sucking during feeding. If you eventually have to give complementary foods, it should be done from a cup or spoon, without a pacifier.
• Take care of mom. In order for milk to be produced in sufficient quantities, she should not be nervous. It is important to eat well, get as much rest as possible and drink enough fluids.

Using these recommendations, you can solve the problem of lack of milk in the breast and stabilize impaired lactation. If this fails, you should refer to the information provided in the article. This is not a cause for concern: perhaps the baby is taking the nipple incorrectly or something else has happened that is easy to fix.

From parents' stories

Tatyana, 27 years old, mother of Lesha, 9 months

As time passes, I understand that all this is funny, but I will write for those who are as mistaken as I once was. I myself have small breasts, and I was always secretly worried about how I would be able to feed the child. I gave birth, there was very little milk, so it seemed to me.

I listened to mothers with such problems... I discovered another reason for concern: there was no feeling of “fullness” in the breasts. Well, yes, it increased, but it was not like what they write there. Fortunately, I finally decided to contact a lactation specialist, and not torment myself with doubts while sitting at home.

It turned out that everything is in order, the baby should eat as much as he wants, and if he poops and pees normally, it means he is full. In general, I advise everyone: when doubts arise, contact professionals, do not trust third-hand information.

Yulia, 28 years old, Samara, mother of Milana, 6 months

We had problems at the very beginning, at 1 month, that is, I thought so. Mom advised me to switch to “Malysh” and not fool myself. It seems like she only fed me for a month, and nothing. But I decided to find out why this was happening and went for a consultation.

It turned out that we mistook for a lack of milk a natural breastfeeding crisis, when a child experiences a growth spurt. The doctor said that everything will get better in a week or two, but for now need to put the baby to the breast more often. And guess what? The milk actually increased in just a few days.

Conclusion

To determine whether a baby has enough breast milk, no special measurements are needed, just watch the baby carefully. The main indicator that he is eating normally is a good mood, activity and regular excretion of urine and feces in sufficient quantities. If the baby releases the nipple on its own and calmly falls asleep after feeding, it means that he is full. If he sleeps until the next feeding - 3-4 hours - this is also a good sign.

A child who is within the normal height and weight range for his or her age is properly nourished. All physiological indicators are individual; when there is a suspicion that the baby does not have enough milk, you need to seek help from a specialist. You can find out answers to frequently asked questions to pediatricians regarding the topic of the article from the video:

Stress, health problems, or other troubles can lead to the fact that at a certain stage of breastfeeding the mother will run out of milk. We often encounter this situation. That is why you should prepare in advance to resolve the issue. In this case, it is necessary to consider in detail the situation of how to supplement the baby’s feeding if there is not enough milk for this. The question is quite relevant and interests many mothers who at some point were left without natural milk.

There are a number of moments when a nursing mother loses breast milk.

Among the main problems the following are identified:

• During the birth process, medications were used, which aggravated the production of milk in the woman’s glands.
• For certain reasons, early breastfeeding of the baby was not carried out after childbirth.
• Psychological disorders and problems occurring in the female body after and during childbirth.

• The introduction of complementary foods for children is carried out at an early stage, before the due date.
• Feeding your baby on a schedule (if you do this more often, your milk supply will improve).
• The use of hormonal drugs by a woman, which provoke an abundant increase in hormones in the body.
• Lactation crises (when the mother’s body is temporarily unable to cope with the needs of a rapidly growing child).

These points are associated with a temporary or permanent decrease in the production of breast milk in a woman. If you encounter one of these situations, you need to look for an appropriate solution.

Only a specialist can accurately determine the cause of a decrease in milk production in a woman, for which an appropriate medical examination and consultation is carried out.

Signs of low milk production

A young mother has the opportunity to independently determine that she has a lack of milk fluid production. As a rule, the following common symptoms appear:

• the breasts of a nursing mother at the time of feeding are not heavy or full enough (physical manifestations are felt);
• The milk mixture leaks lightly, as evidenced by the behavior of the infant.

These are two main signs that allow you to determine the lack of formula for feeding, and also promptly contact a specialist to identify the reason why an insufficient amount of milk is produced.

In each individual case of lack of formula milk, other symptoms are also present that allow the specialist to determine the cause of the lack of milk production.

The breasts are not so heavy and dense at the time of feeding

Here, there is a lack of production of the substance by the mammary glands; it manifests itself as natural symptoms, when a woman can independently determine that her breasts have become lighter or do not have the necessary density. In addition to visual perception, this reason is felt naturally. The manifestation of these two symptoms is a reason to consult a specialist.

Milk does not flow intensively

Another bad symptom is slight leakage of milk fluid during feeding. This is usually accompanied by the whims of the child, who does not receive the required amount of natural food product. The mother can also feel this on her own, since the permeability of the mixture will be significantly reduced compared to the initial feedings.

How does lack of feeding affect a child?

A young mother can immediately identify when her baby is not receiving much needed nutrition, as the baby reacts vividly to it. If there is not enough power, the following occurs:

• the behavior of the newborn changes significantly due to a lack of the required amount of nutrients;
• the excretory function of the newborn baby’s body decreases (the baby goes to the toilet less often);
• If children eat little, they noticeably lose weight or do not gain it for a long time.

This symptomatology is typical, provided that the mother’s mammary glands cannot cope with secreting the required amount of milk fluid.

If there is a lack of milk, the child will be capricious and constantly demand the breast, which, naturally, his mother should notice.

The child is losing weight or not gaining weight

For an attentive mother, such a symptom will not go unnoticed. Lack of nutrients affects the child's body quickly. Within a week, the first signs of weight loss will be noticeable. In addition, the child’s behavior will change and he will sleep more often. The blush will disappear from the surface of the skin, and the skin will have a pale tint.

Decreased excretory function of the body

The mother will also notice this symptom immediately, since stool and urination will occur less frequently than usual. As a rule, such a manifestation does not take long to appear. The symptom is visible within one or two days after the reduction in the amount of formula for the child’s nutrition begins.

Is naughty and often demands the breast

The natural reaction of a child’s body to a lack of milk is frequent whims. If the baby cries more often than usual or does not want to leave the breast, this is a symptom of a lack of milk. In this case, the nursing mother should immediately visit a specialist to identify the cause of weak milk production, and also, if possible, determine what to use for subsequent feeding.

How and what to supplement your baby with if there is not enough breast milk

Modern mothers often have to deal with situations of insufficient milk formula in the glands. Here it becomes necessary to feed the child so that his growth and development do not slow down. Supplemental feeding of children can be done using the following:

• special milk formulas (selected based on the age of the baby who does not receive enough breast milk);
• baby food designed for the baby's gradual cessation of breastfeeding;
• products that are used in complementary feeding of children over six months (porridge, milk, vegetables, fruits, meat).

The most common option for supplementary feeding is formula feeding, which allows you to gradually wean your baby completely from the breast.

The composition of the formula used is determined depending on the age and tastes of the baby who is experiencing a lack of breast milk.

Types of mixtures

Depending on the age and health status of the baby, an option is selected regarding which formula will be used for supplementary feeding.

There are the following types of dairy products:

• adapted formulations;
• ordinary milk formulas for feeding;
• hypoallergenic consumer products;
• fermented milk mixtures for supplementary feeding;
• specialized food products for babies.

The exact option for supplementary feeding can be advised by a doctor who monitors the mother and child who need additional feeding due to a lack of breast milk.

Of no small importance when choosing the composition of the diet is the age and health of the child (if there is an allergy, it is necessary to select hypoallergenic compositions for the diet).

Adapted

Here the mixture is prepared in proportions so that the amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates necessary for a growing organism is present. Such compositions must be selected depending on the age of the baby. Due to the complicated production technology, formulas are expensive, but at the same time they perfectly complement and, if necessary, replace mother’s breast milk.

Dairy

A regular mixture of dried or fresh milk of animal origin, which is not subject to special processing. The cost of such a composition is quite low, but not every growing organism easily accepts such compositions.

In addition, for children with allergic reactions, it is not recommended to supplement with pure milk formula, otherwise this can have a detrimental effect on their health.

Hypoallergenic

Specialized mixtures that are made from powdered or fresh milk that has undergone appropriate purification. At the processing stage, all components that can cause allergic reactions are removed from the composition. The cost of such products is quite high, which is why not every mother can afford to supplement with such food products.

Fermented milk

Here the product is made from powdered or liquid milk. Based on their composition, products are divided into adapted, partially adapted and non-adapted formulations. Prescribed to children who have already reached a certain age. Depending on the composition, the product undergoes processing. As for non-adapted products, they are similar to conventional fermented milk compositions (kefir or yogurt).

Specialized Blend

The compositions are used for certain categories of children (premature babies, those with certain diseases, underweight). Taking into account the deviation, the necessary components are added to the product to compensate for the missing substances. These products are selected depending on the deviation present in the child’s body. These compositions are developed according to a special program and are quite expensive.

The main reason for the appearance of artificial milk formulas in a baby’s diet is the situation when there is not enough milk during breastfeeding. In medical practice, this condition is called hypogalactia.

Reason for doubt and anxiety: not enough milk during breastfeeding

True hypogalactia is rare.

A pronounced lack of mother's milk from the very beginning of lactation, called primary hypogalactia, is observed with a frequency of up to 8%.

The causes of this condition include hormonal disorders, underdevelopment of the mammary glands, traumatic complications during childbirth, and postpartum infections.

More common is secondary hypogalactia, when initially milk is produced in sufficient volume, but then lactation decreases or remains at a level that does not satisfy the growing needs of the baby.

The most common causes of decreased lactation

During breastfeeding, lactation crises periodically occur - physiological conditions accompanied by a decrease in milk production.

It is believed that the main reason for this phenomenon is the adjustment of the mother's body to the growing needs of the baby, which cannot happen too quickly.

Very often, insufficient lactation in a mother is the result of her incorrect actions:

Feeding at strict time intervals.

Establishing a strict regime for latching the baby to the breast leads to insufficient stimulation of the mammary glands.

You need to feed your baby on demand. In the first few months of a baby’s life, at least 10-12 feedings per day are considered the norm.

During daylight hours, the break between applications should not exceed 2 hours, at night - 4 hours.

Establishing a time frame for each feeding.

If you limit the time your baby spends at the breast, he may not have time to suck out the volume of milk he needs.

Incorrect attachment of the baby.

If the baby is unable to latch onto the nipple correctly, breast stimulation will not be sufficient. The result will be a decrease in lactation.

It is important for a mother to learn to distinguish when a child not only sucks the breast, but also makes swallowing movements.

With this type of sucking, pauses occur and the child’s chin “hangs” with each sip.

The movements of his jaws provoke milk production.

An uncomfortable position taken by a woman during feeding. Any tension of a woman when applying the baby to the breast negatively affects milk production.

Additional drinking without a serious reason. After drinking water, the baby feels imaginary satiety: his thirst and satiety centers are located close to each other.

Therefore, the volume of milk sucked from the breast will be less than necessary. The World Health Organization does not recommend giving water to breastfed babies.

Some pediatricians, for example, the popular doctor Komarovsky, believe that it is worth offering infants some water if the child has increased fluid loss (dry air, heat, fever).

Using pacifiers and bottles.

Sucking is a natural need of a baby. By satisfying it with a variety of substitutes, the baby will stimulate the breast itself less.

This negatively affects lactation.

Attempts to create a reserve for subsequent feedings. The mammary glands work on demand: the more milk leaves the breast, the more appears again.

Everything left by a woman for the purpose of accumulation is perceived by the body as unclaimed.

The mammary glands receive a signal: they no longer need to produce milk. Gradually lactation decreases.

No night feedings. They are most valuable for lactation. Night is the time of active production of the hormone prolactin, which stimulates the production of milk.

Many breastfeeding experts recommend co-sleeping between baby and mother, as this has a beneficial effect on lactation.

A woman can feed her baby half asleep without spending any extra effort.

Separation of mother and baby. As a result of the lack of breast stimulation, lactation slows down.

Prolonged separation of women and children in the postpartum period has a particularly negative effect.

Viewing breastfeeding as an ordeal.

Doctors note that in countries with a high standard of living, women are more susceptible to insufficient lactation than in undeveloped regions, where breastfeeding is perceived as a natural process.

The nursing mother herself complicates the situation by focusing on a possible (often hypothetical) lack of milk.

Stress experienced by a woman, contrary to popular belief, does not affect prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production.

However, such situations can have a temporary effect on another hormone, under the influence of which milk is released from the breast - oxytocin.

This is a natural protective mechanism that prevents milk loss during difficult life moments.

Lack of sleep and rest. Sleepless nights and busy days are a standard situation for the mother of a baby.

However, even in these conditions, you need to find an opportunity for rest, for example, by adjusting to the child’s sleep schedule and taking a nap with him.

The desire to redo all household chores while the baby is sleeping may well lead to a nervous breakdown and depression.

Taking certain contraceptives and diuretics that disrupt the hormonal regulation of lactation.

Elimination of these factors in most cases leads to increased lactation without additional measures.

Imaginary lack of milk

“My baby doesn’t eat enough” is a very common misconception of young mothers, reinforced by the “professional” judgments of grandmothers and other relatives.

The result is a decision to supplement feeding with formula milk, the baby getting used to the bottle and a real decrease in lactation.

The baby asks for the breast too often. Many babies feel the need not so much to eat as to suck.

In addition, breastfeeding is also contact with the mother. Perhaps the baby needs such communication more often than food.

The baby seems hungry within an hour after latching. In fact, breast milk is absorbed faster than formula milk, so breastfed babies require more frequent feedings than formula-fed babies.

The child does not want to part with the breast longer than before. This happens when children in the newborn period behave sluggishly when feeding, and then, gradually adapting to new living conditions, begin to suck longer and more actively.

The situation is the opposite of the previous one: the child spends less time at the breast than before.

This can happen when the older baby is stronger and needs less time to suck out the required volume of milk.

Restless behavior of the baby. In fact, the reasons for such behavior are not limited to hunger; they can be very diverse.

The woman feels that her breasts have become soft and not full. She does not experience the characteristic “flushes” of milk, or they are not as pronounced as before.

This is a common situation when feeding on demand: after 2-3 months, lactation becomes tidal.

Hot flashes are felt only during application.

The baby does not refuse the bottle after feeding. In fact, many infants are not averse to sucking on a bottle or pacifier, even if they are full: this often happens reflexively.

In addition, such objects are much easier to suck than breasts.

No reason to pump. This situation is often a sign of mature lactation, when the volume of milk produced corresponds to the needs of the baby, and there is simply nothing to express.

When feeding on demand, this procedure is not necessary.

How to determine a real lack of breast milk

In pediatric practice, 2 methods of assessing the sufficiency of lactation are recognized as reliable:

Calculation of the daily number of urinations. If a baby manages to wet 10-12 or more diapers during this period, then mother’s milk is enough for him.

Diapers are counted for 24 hours; disposable diapers cannot be used. The method will be informative if the baby is not given anything to drink.

It is advisable to count wet diapers weekly.

Weighing. A healthy baby, who has enough breast milk, has a monthly weight gain of 120 g per week and from 0.6 to 2 kg per month.

It makes sense to measure the baby’s weight once a month, in rare cases, if there are significant reasons for doubt, once a week.

Putting the baby on the scale more often (some mothers are ready to do this several times a day) is not informative: at one feeding the baby can eat 10 ml of milk, and at another - 50 or 100 ml.

The result of such weighings is often the mother’s anxiety, which is transmitted to the baby.

If the child is fine with urination frequency, but weight gain is below the age norm, he has enough nutrition.

The reason for insufficient weight gain should be sought elsewhere.

How to increase lactation

If a lack of milk has become obvious, this is not a reason to panic.

It would be advisable to introduce a small volume of formula into the baby’s diet, while simultaneously making efforts to increase lactation.

You need to make sure that the baby is attached to the breast correctly. When in doubt, it is fundamentally important to learn the correct technique.

Frequent applications stimulate lactation, during the day at least once every 1.5-2 hours. Night feedings are valuable; at this time of day, intervals exceeding 4 hours are not recommended.

You should not wean your baby off the breast until he lets go on his own.

You should increase the total duration of physical contact with your baby: sleep together, carry him in your arms more, use a sling.

Skin-to-skin touch is important.

Unless absolutely necessary, there is no need to give the baby additional fluids.

The mother needs to let go of all fears that the baby does not have enough milk and relax.

A warm bath, pleasant music, breathing exercises, or just calm, even breathing will help with this.

A nursing mother needs to learn to find time to rest and sleep. You can put off some household chores or ask loved ones for help.

If you have a free minute, it is useful to get a massage to stimulate lactation. You need to get comfortable and rub massage oil into your fingers.

You need to massage your breasts with stroking and kneading movements. After 7-10 minutes, the massage is interrupted to express a little milk.

Then the massaging movements are resumed.

You cannot use artificial analogues of the mother's breast: pacifiers and bottles.

If there is a need to give the baby any liquid (water, formula during mixed feeding), you need to use special devices.

Bottles with a spoon, small cups, and silicone spoons on the neck instead of a traditional nipple are suitable.

It is important to perceive supplementary feeding as a temporary measure and gradually reduce its volume, while simultaneously counting the number of urinations.

In addition to the methods listed, you can take additional measures by using lactogenic agents:

• Fatty fish.
• Bee products: honey, bee bread, royal jelly (use carefully: allergic reactions in infants are possible).
• Ginger.
• Walnuts.
• Infusions based on dill, fennel, caraway, coriander, cumin, fenugreek.
• Preparations: Apilak, Mlekoin, Laktogon, Femilak.

The use of lactogenic agents will not be effective if the principles of proper breastfeeding are not followed.

Lack of breast milk is often a far-fetched problem. Mom should not focus on the difficulties of the lactation period, but perceive breastfeeding as a natural process.

If there is not enough milk, in most cases it is possible to eliminate errors in the organization of breastfeeding and correct the situation.

How can a mother who is breastfeeding understand that her baby has received enough milk? These doubts often arise among nursing mothers, since the breast is not a bottle, where you can clearly see how many grams of milk the baby has eaten.

The baby's weight and length should constantly increase. This is the first sign that the baby is eating well. Some mothers weigh their baby before and after feeding.

How to understand that a baby does not have enough breast milk - sleep indicators

The baby sucks milk in a special way

With proper feeding, if you wean your baby from the breast, you will definitely see a lot of milk in your mouth. The child takes short breaks during meals to rest.

When a baby doesn't have enough milk, he seems to hang on his mother's breast. The milk does not come in and he, sucking on the breast, waits for it for a long time. Such pauses will be quite frequent.

Baby's poop changes color

After birth, the baby's stool is meconium. Breastfeeding changes the baby's stool, it begins to gradually lighten. The child no longer eats colostrum, but full-fledged mother's milk. A well-fed baby's stool will be creamy or watery. Shades of stool range from green to mustard-colored. In the first weeks of life, the child will often walk around, later this process will not occur more than 2-3 times a day.

Urination is an important indicator of proper nutrition of the newborn

If the baby does not have enough milk, he will rarely pee. If you change the diaper 5-6 times a day, then you can rest assured that the child is eating enough.

False indicators that the baby is not getting enough milk

Breasts don't seem full

The female body works according to the individual needs of the child. After the first weeks of breastfeeding, your breasts will produce as much milk as your baby drinks. Don't expect a ton of milk and huge breasts.

Baby sleeps all day and night

In the first weeks of life, you will have to encourage your baby to eat at specific times. Wake up the baby and bring it to your breast. The child is still too weak, he needs to tune in and get into the rhythm.

The child cries while eating and after drinking milk

If a child cries, this does not always mean that he is hungry. The baby may have a stomach ache, he may not get enough sleep, and he may be irritated by foreign smells or noise.

The baby often requires the breast

The child must decide for himself when he needs to eat milk. You don't have to worry about your baby being hungry if you see him gaining weight. If the baby often requires breastfeeding and at the same time slowly gains weight, is capricious and pees little, then you should feed him with formula milk.

The mother is obliged to monitor her baby's food intake. Timely measures will help to improve the process of feeding the child. Be sure to consult your doctor and regularly monitor your child’s development.

This video shows that the child drinks milk correctly and gets enough of it: