As a new mom, it’s natural to worry about your baby and want what’s best for them. In the early days and weeks of life, that mostly means love and compassion, a safe place to rest, and food. One of the most common early concerns from new parents is that their baby isn’t getting enough breast milk. Fortunately, milk supply problems are rare and can usually be improved with easy at-home treatments.

How to Know if Your Breast Milk is Enough for Your Newborn

Most nursing parents produce exactly what their babies need to grow big and healthy. If your baby nurses eight to twelve times per day, eating roughly once every two to three hours, they’re probably getting plenty of milk.

It’s normal for a baby to lose a little weight after birth and get back up to their birth weight by about the second week of life. From there, babies typically gain between 4 and 8 ounces per week. If your baby is eating regularly and gaining weight at a healthy rate, there’s no reason to worry.

Pay attention to your body and your baby’s behavior. Feedings typically begin with a few rapid sucks followed by long, rhythmic swallows. Your baby’s cheeks should be rounded, and they should be relaxed during feeding. Another way to ensure your baby is getting what they need is to check their diapers. Stools will start out black and tar-like, transitioning to soft yellow stools by the fifth or sixth day. Urine should be clear or pale yellow in color.

It’s also worth noting that milk supply will increase over time in response to the demands of your baby’s growing body. The amount of milk you’re making today will not be the amount you make forever.

Increasing Your Milk Supply While Nursing Your Newborn

Unless you notice signs of poor nutrition, you can trust that your body is functioning precisely as it needs to. If you’re still concerned or want to ensure a good milk supply throughout the nursing phase, here are some ways to keep things flowing smoothly.

Hydration

Because your baby gets all of their food and water from you, and breast milk is approximately 88% water, staying hydrated is essential for sufficient milk production. Nursing parents may need to increase their water intake by about 35% to keep themselves and their baby happy.

The milk available at the beginning of a meal (known as the foremilk) is higher in water and helps your baby stay hydrated. The milk available in the later stages of a feeding (known as the hindmilk) is higher in fat and keeps your baby fuller longer. Staying hydrated is the best way to ensure your baby receives the right balance of water and nutrients.

Ditch the Schedule

Because your baby needs to be fed 8 to 12 times a day, some parents may be tempted to schedule feedings every 2 or 3 hours. Those guidelines are an average, and babies may not be hungry during a scheduled interval.

Instead, let your baby dictate when they eat. This is known as “feeding on demand” and is associated with easier feedings and increased milk supply.

Power Pumping

While nursing, your body responds to the rate and duration of feeding, adjusting milk production accordingly. If your baby nurses fewer than 8 to 12 times per day, milk production might decrease, while feeding more often can have the opposite effect. If your baby isn’t nursing as often or for as long as you need to maintain milk production, you can pump and store the milk for later use.

Power pumping refers to the process of pumping several times over a short period, mimicking the behavior of a newborn, known as cluster feeding. Shoot for about an hour a day of power pumping, broken up into 10 or 20-minute sessions with short breaks between. It may take a few days for you to notice a change, and you may need to continue power pumping for about a week to achieve the desired increase in milk supply.

Check Your Diet

Your body has just spent nine months building and caring for a new life. Pregnancy is taxing to begin with, and as soon as it’s over, you’re called upon to start nursing right away. To keep your body in fighting form, make sure you’re getting enough calories and eating a healthy, varied diet.

There isn’t a single diet or specific food that works for all nursing parents, but getting enough calories is key. You’ll need to eat more than usual, typically about 400 additional calories per day, because you’re still eating for two. Prioritize nutrient-rich foods that provide a balanced spread of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and fiber.

Lactation Cookies

If you’re having trouble getting enough to eat, lactation cookies may be a helpful option. They typically include ingredients like flaxseed and oats, making them a little healthier than more conventional sweets, and some nursing parents swear by them.

However, studies on the effectiveness of lactation cookies are minimal and have shown no measurable difference between lactation cookies and regular cookies. Researchers suggest the most important thing is getting enough calories and nutrients, whether that’s with a cookie or something else.

Lactation Massage

Breast massage, otherwise known as lactation massage, involves gently massaging the breasts during and after feeding. Massage helps drain the breast and stimulate milk production.

You can also use breast massage separately from feeding times to increase milk flow or relieve pressure and discomfort. It can also help to alleviate mastitis and clear clogged milk ducts. Additionally, a more conventional massage can be relaxing, helping to reduce stress and facilitate a larger milk supply.

Rest

Getting enough rest can be challenging when your newborn requires round-the-clock care, not to mention all the other demands on your time and attention. Parents who are overstressed or exhausted may notice a decrease in milk supply.

Make every effort to carve out time to take care of yourself. Nap when your baby naps, eat a healthy diet, and get enough water. Ask for help when you need it and accept help when it’s offered.

Skin-to-Skin Contact

Multiple studies have shown that skin-to-skin contact has a positive effect on milk production, and it is also one of the best and easiest ways to connect with your baby.

Skin-to-skin contact at birth can help your baby learn how to find your breast and latch on. Continued skin-to-skin contact after birth can help with latching problems, increase a nursing parent’s positive feelings toward breastfeeding, calm infants, and relieve stress.

Watch the Formula

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with feeding your baby formula as their primary food source or supplementing their diet, but it can impact your body’s milk supply.

Some parents follow breastfeeding with additional formula feeding, allowing babies to stay fuller for longer. Other parents may alternate between breastfeeding and formula feeding. In either case, feeding with formula means you spend less time nursing, and your body produces less milk as a result. To increase your milk supply, increase the frequency of your baby’s nursing sessions.

In-house Lactation Specialists

Just because breastfeeding is natural doesn’t mean it’s always easy. If you’re concerned about your milk supply or have any other questions or concerns about nursing, Wee Care has IBCLC certified in-house lactation specialists ready to help you.

Our lactation consultants are experts in nursing and all of the challenges, both common and uncommon, that come along with breastfeeding. A lactation consultant can determine if your milk supply is sufficient and, if not, can help you figure out what to do.