Breastfeeding Struggles: Milk Supply Woes

While breastfeeding is surely natural and normal it isn't always easy. There are no bottles to judge whether or not your baby is eating the recommended amount ounces. It can be a struggle in knowing if you're feeding too often or too little, especially if you have a fast nurser. It can hurt and one can develop milk supply worries.

But rest assured, while it may not be easy for everyone many breastfeeding issues can be avoided or solved relatively quick.

Kellymom is a great resource.

Dr. Sears has great information on his page as well.

You can also find a local Le Leche League group or visit their website to get some great info on breastfeeding and breastfeeding legislation.

Dealing with some breastfeeding issues can be daunting, but have no fear there IS help if you need it!


Milk Supply Concerns:

First you need to decide if there is actually a supply issue. Why do you feel that way? If the baby is gaining weight (even if slowly) and wetting 6-8 diapers a day, and that means 24 hours, then you don't have an issue. The fussiness and constant nursing could be from other issues.

If you do have supply issues there are many things you can try such as galactagogue's to help increase milk supply. Those include fenugreek and blessed thistle.

You can increase your fluid intake and make sure you are eating enough.

You can also try block feeding. Nurse on one breast for 3 feedings and then switch breasts. That can ensure the baby is getting enough of the hind milk!

You can also make Lactation Aid Cookies:
Here are the ingrediants:

1 C butter
1 C sugar
1 C brown sugar
4 T water
2 T flaxseed meal (no subs)
2 Lg eggs
1 t vanilla
2 C flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
3 C Thick cut oats
1 C Chocolate chips
2 T Brewers Yeast (no substitutions)

and here's how to prepare them

Preheat oven at 375.

Mix 2 T of flaxseed meal and water, set aside 3-5 minutes.
Cream butter and sugar.
Add eggs.
Stir flaxseed mix into butter mix and add vanilla.
Beat until well blended.
Sift: dry ingredients, except oats and choc chips.
Add butter mix to dry ing.
Stir in the oats and then the choc chips.
Drop on parchmant paper on baking sheet.
Bake 8-12 minutes.

Why do they work?

Because the main ingredients promote healthy lactation and are just plain full of nutrients

Oatmeal is a frequently recommended food for increasing milk supply, possibly because it contains iron and nursing mothers are often iron deficient. It's also a good source of fiber, and I'm told that if you ask a dairy farmer what they do to increase milk yield, they say that they increase fiber intake.

Brewer's yeast has long been recommended to increase milk supply, though there are some doubts that it does the trick. It does contain lots of B vitamins - another area where nursing mothers may be deficient. At a minimum it might give you a bit more energy. When eaten in large amounts it also might give your baby a "yeasty" smelling diaper, and I'm not sure if it's recommended for mothers who are struggling with thrush. The recipe said 'no substitutions' for this ingredient, but I couldn't find brewer's yeast in time, so used nutritional yeast instead.

Flaxseed oil (this recipe calls for flaxseed meal) is considered by some to be a galactagogue, but I had a hard time finding much on its effects. It does contain Omega-3 fatty acids, and many nursing mothers are deficient in that area because our stores are used in breastmilk. Omega 3s from fish oil are considered a promising therapy for preventing and treating postpartum depression (see the podcast I did on this topic), but the Omega 3s in flaxseed oil are a different form and are not viewed as effective for this purpose.

World Breastfeeding Week!

Here it is again. World Breastfeeding Week! This time it's 2010! I have been breastfeeding since 2006, with a short break from the time my oldest weaned and my youngest was born!

I am currently still nursing my 14 month old baby, and she has no interest in weaning any time soon!

Breastfeeding is amazing, beautiful, and natural. It can be challenging, painful, and frustrating but none of these three things make it less worth it.

So to kick off World Breastfeeding Week I will list the benefits of breastfeeding!

http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/benefits/

Breast milk has disease-fighting cells called antibodies that help protect infants from germs, illness, and even SIDS. Infant formula cannot match the exact chemical makeup of human milk, especially the cells, hormones, and antibodies that fight disease.

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ear infections, stomach virus', diabetes, breast and ovarian cancers, and obesity (among the many).

Breastfeeding boosts an infant's/child's immune system.

Breastfeeding produces oxytocin and can reduce the "baby blues" or PPD.

Breastfeeding also saves money in both cost of formula and medical bills :)

These are just some of the benefits!.

Lastly I leave you with a quote!

‎"Nursing
does not diminish the beauty of a woman's breasts; it enhances their
charm by making them look lived in and happy." ~Robert A. Heinlein

the society of the USA is going to drive me insane...

In a society where women can walk around half naked, and flaunt their bodies nursing mothers are made to feel dirty and ashamed.
In this society we can see celebrities half naked on the cover of magazines, but the women feeding her child on the park bench gets ridiculed. Why?

Is it because this society is so fixated on sex that using breasts for what they are meant to be used for has become unnatural? That Christina Aguelera(sp?) can pose nude on rolling stone with nothing more than a guitar and her hand covering her, but the mom nursing in the mall is indecent. What the hell is wrong with this picture?

Since when has nursing become so damn offensive? Since formula companies started saying that nursing was bad? Or since women are all about convenience as apposed to what benefits their child? Is that why breastfeeding is so uncommon, and so ridiculed?

Or is it a combination of that and the total downfall of society. We can see Lil' Kim get her boob fondled by Diana Ross on national television, but god forbid you see a mother's nipple while she tries to latch on her screaming, hungry baby.

Society needs to grow up and step up. Breastfeeding is like a double edged sword. You are told how important it is and then once you do it you have to deal with being told where and how to do it. What the hell is up with that?

I am so sick of the dirty looks and the snide remarks. I am sick of being looked at like an abuser for nursing my almost 11 month old. Society can kiss my ass. I wish more celebrities would stand up to the plate. Maggie Gyllenhal did, and thank god for her. I just wish more mainstream celebs would get on the breastfeeding bandwagon. We need the info out their.

So moms grab your babies and sit down on that bench and nurse. Do not let this back ass wards society make you feel dirty. You are doing what is best for your baby! Hand them that blanket, and tell them to cover if they do not like it!