Breastfeeding Basics

Milk production is a demand and supply process. If you need to increase milk supply, it’s important to understand how milk is made – understanding this will help you to do the right things to increase production. To speed milk production and increase overall milk supply, the key is to remove more milk from the breast and to do this frequently, so that less milk accumulates in the breast between feedings.

Is your milk supply really low?

Often, mothers think that their milk supply is low when it really isn’t. If your baby is gaining weight well on breastmilk alone, then you do not have a problem with milk supply.

Things that can help increase your milk supply:

• Make sure that baby is nursing efficiently. This is the “remove more milk” part of increasing milk production. If you do not effectively remove milk from the breast, then milk supply decreases. You can often fix this with proper latch and positioning.
• Nurse frequently, aiming for every one and a half to three hours or a total of 10+ nursing sessions in 24 hours.
• Offer both sides at each feeding. Let baby finish the first side, then offer the second side.
• Switch-nurse. Switch sides three or more times during each feeding – every time that baby falls asleep, switches to “comfort” sucking, or loses interest.
• Use breast compression before and during nursing.
• Take care of yourself, including drinking enough water, eating, and getting rest.
• Consider pumping between and after feedings. Remember – the more milk you take out, the more your body will produce.
• Consider a galactagogue, a substance (herb, prescription medication, etc.) that increases milk supply. See What is a galactagogue? Do I need one? from kellymom.com for more information.

Who can you contact if you suspect low milk supply?

If you’re concerned about your milk supply, it will be very helpful to get in touch with lactation consultant or feeding specialist. Additionally, many delivering hospitals offer free lactation support groups on a weekly basis – open to all lactating parents regardless of where you delivered.

Supplementing may be medically necessary for babies who are losing weight until your milk supply increases. If supplementing is medically necessary, the best thing to supplement your baby with is your own pumped milk. Consult with your doctor and lactation team about the best methods for supplementing and support around pumping.

Resource Links

• Increasing milk supply, Breastfeeding Support
• Oversupply, Le Leche League
• Galactagogues, Le Leche League

A baby may bite during a nursing session for many different reasons – distraction, teething, cold, or ear infection (it’s hard for your baby to swallow while breastfeeding with a blocked nose). Once it has happened, it may cause you to be tense or fearful at the next feeding.

Does this mean I need to wean?

Weaning is rarely the answer when a baby bites. It is important to identify the cause and work to correct it.

Try the PACED approach:

• Positioning. Review how your baby latches. When your baby is latched on correctly and nursing actively, getting milk from your breast, and swallowing, it’s physically impossible to bite.
• Act fast. Try and watch for a hint that your baby is about to bite – usually towards the end of a feeding or when they are full. When you feel your baby pausing and their jaw tensing, quickly break their suction and remove them from the breast.
• Comfort. Your baby doesn’t understand that biting hurts. They may be surprised and unhappy that you have stopped the feeding. Give a cuddle with a firm “no bite” and then offer a teether or pacifier. After a few minutes, offer the breast again if baby is still hungry.
• Expression/compression. Keeping milk flowing can help. Baby can’t bite if they are actively sucking. If your baby seems to be slowing down, do breast compressions to increase flow or switch the other opposite breast.
• Distract. Talk to your baby and focus on the feeding. When you are distracted, your baby is more likely to bite.

It is possible to establish milk production for an adopted baby, even if you have never been pregnant or given birth. The amount of milk you may produce depends on many factors.

Most mothers are able to produce at least a little milk. You might be able to induce lactation (start to produce milk) and then build up your milk supply by putting your baby to your breast often and/or expressing. Many mothers find they can produce enough milk to be able to give up formula supplements totally. While there is no guarantee that you will be able to meet all of your baby’s needs, you can maximize the amount of human milk your baby has. Any amount of breastmilk is beneficial.

Many adoptive and other non-gestational mothers use the Newman-Goldfarb protocol to stimulate their milk supply.