If your new baby does not seem to be gaining weight as well as she should, the problem could be due to a low or insufficient milk supply for breastfeeding. Low milk supply is often due to a number of factors, including the stress a new mom experiences or timing factors, such as the need to feed longer or more often.
Step 1
Breastfeed more often each day. A new mom's milk supply often adjusts based on the demands placed on milk production. By increasing the amount of times you breastfeed a day, your body will produce more milk to meet the increasing demand.
Step 2
Relax prior to a breastfeeding session by taking a nap before breastfeeding, try deep breathing or practicing some calming yoga moves. Because the brain is responsible for sending signals to the body to produce breast milk while feeding, women who feel stressed or distracted may be less able to focus enough to produce a sufficient milk supply.
Step 3
Eat oatmeal daily. Oatmeal, particularly steel cut oatmeal, has been shown to be effective in increasing milk supply, according to Parents magazine. You can also incorporate an oatmeal/granola snack throughout the day to boost oatmeal intake.
Step 4
Take an herbal remedy such as fenugreek as a short-term breast milk enhancement. Because taking any herbal remedy can have side effects, consult your physician before beginning fenugreek treatments.
Step 5
Hold your baby skin to skin when nursing to decrease stress and improve mother-baby connectivity. Undressing the baby before feeding, stroking her face or whispering affirming words are all a part of a practice called grooming. Grooming helps to boost your milk ejection reflex, which increases your milk production.
Tips and Warnings
- Giving your baby only breast milk is a good way to ensure that supply equals demand. Often the more you feed your baby from the breast, not formula, solids or water, the more milk produced.
- Sometimes the problem with milk supply can be related to a baby's health or overall anatomical issues. If this is the case, a baby may not be able to adequately feed.
