Mothers want to make sure their babies get plenty to eat. Eating a healthy diet can help to keep both you and your baby healthy. Most women have no problem producing enough milk for their babies if they feed them often. However, some factors may decrease your milk supply.
Causes of Low Milk Supply
If your baby is born prematurely or you have a cesarean section, it may take longer for your milk to come in. Women who have had breast surgery may also have issues with milk supply, as can women with abnormal hormone levels, diabetes or ovary problems. Stress can cause a decreased milk supply. Certain medications for pain, birth control pills or allergy medications may also decrease your supply of breast milk.
Misconceptions
You may worry that if you do not eat enough or drink enough, your milk supply may decrease. However, according to the American Dietetic Association, these factors do not affect breast milk supply. Your level of protein or calcium intake or taking fenugreek seed capsules, Coleus amboinicus soup or sugar-coated Moloco+B-12 tablets also do not affect your milk supply.
Ways to Increase Supply
If you want to increase your breast milk supply, nurse your baby more often -- about every two to three hours -- and try to get your baby to nurse for longer. If your baby doesn't completely empty your breasts when she nurses, try using a breast pump to empty them and store the milk for later, after your milk supply is more established.
Considerations
Although not consuming enough calories or enough vitamins and minerals will not decrease your milk supply, it may make you deficient in nutrients. Your body will take the necessary nutrients from you to produce the milk needed. Speak with your doctor if you notice any of the following: your baby is over four days old and doesn't have at least six wet and three soiled diapers a day; your baby is losing weight; your baby still seems hungry after eating; or your baby's skin and the whites of his eyes are yellow. These are indications that your milk supply is low.
