I delivered Baby A last July 30 via Caesarian section. Because I had no problem with breast milk supply during my last pregnancy (even being able to nurse my eldest for more than 27 months), I was not in the least bit worried about producing milk a second time around. What I did not anticipate was the pain I felt when baby A latched on. I thought, because this was the second time around, I would be okay. But, nature proved me wrong! I had forgotten how painful it was for me during the first month when my eldest latched on. Baby A reminded me of the pain.
The pain, however intense it felt, was bearable if it meant being able to offer breast milk to my baby. I was worried about not being able to bottle feed expressed breast milk though. So, to make sure I won't encounter this again, I made sure to alternate between allowing baby A to latch on and giving her expressed breast milk. I was very happy that baby A did not seem to have nipple confusion issues. What I did not anticipate however, was that my milk supply may be affected by what I was doing.
Exactly 20 days after giving birth, I suddenly could not produce the normal amount of milk I was used to expressing. From being able to express and store 4 ounces of breast milk easily, I suddenly could not produce even 2 ounces of milk! It was very depressing for me. How can I suddenly have diminishing milk supply when just a few hours before I was producing a lot? I started reading up on it and found out the following:
1. If you are supplementing with bottle feeding of expressed milk, your milk supply will drop. Your body adjusts its milk production to the baby's demands.
2. Breast pumps are not adequate substitutes to direct latch on. Direct latch on stimulates the body to produce more milk.
I have seen this for myself, when after expressing milk until I emptied my ducts, baby A latched on, and suddenly, there was milk again!
3. Always empty your ducts when you express milk. This will stimulate your body to produce more.
4. Express milk in between feedings to increase your milk supply.
5. Drink lots of fluids
After doing all of the above, I noticed my milk supply increase again. It was quite a scare, but it made me realize that milk supply can be fleeting. There is no room to be lazy if we want to keep breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is a choice and it takes a lot of commitment. But, if you really want to breastfeed your baby, you will do what it takes. So, good luck to all breastfeeding moms! Give yourself a pat on the back for your efforts.
The pain, however intense it felt, was bearable if it meant being able to offer breast milk to my baby. I was worried about not being able to bottle feed expressed breast milk though. So, to make sure I won't encounter this again, I made sure to alternate between allowing baby A to latch on and giving her expressed breast milk. I was very happy that baby A did not seem to have nipple confusion issues. What I did not anticipate however, was that my milk supply may be affected by what I was doing.
Exactly 20 days after giving birth, I suddenly could not produce the normal amount of milk I was used to expressing. From being able to express and store 4 ounces of breast milk easily, I suddenly could not produce even 2 ounces of milk! It was very depressing for me. How can I suddenly have diminishing milk supply when just a few hours before I was producing a lot? I started reading up on it and found out the following:
1. If you are supplementing with bottle feeding of expressed milk, your milk supply will drop. Your body adjusts its milk production to the baby's demands.
2. Breast pumps are not adequate substitutes to direct latch on. Direct latch on stimulates the body to produce more milk.
I have seen this for myself, when after expressing milk until I emptied my ducts, baby A latched on, and suddenly, there was milk again!
3. Always empty your ducts when you express milk. This will stimulate your body to produce more.
4. Express milk in between feedings to increase your milk supply.
5. Drink lots of fluids
After doing all of the above, I noticed my milk supply increase again. It was quite a scare, but it made me realize that milk supply can be fleeting. There is no room to be lazy if we want to keep breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is a choice and it takes a lot of commitment. But, if you really want to breastfeed your baby, you will do what it takes. So, good luck to all breastfeeding moms! Give yourself a pat on the back for your efforts.
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