Maintaining a Good Breastmilk Supply

In this post I wrote about establishing your milk supply.  But what about maintenance?  How do you keep the breastfeeding relationship going as long as you want?

There is one simple thing you can do.  It doesn't cost any money.  You can do it in your sleep. 


You ready?


Here it is:


Nurse your baby in your bed at night.


That's all! 

That is how millions of women around the world from the beginning of time have raised their babies.  Out of the breastfeeding moms that I know, the ones who kept baby in bed with them (and nursed throughout the night) were able to nurse as long as they wanted- a year at the shortest, 5 years at the longest.  Mom was able to decide how long to nurse, instead of running out of milk and finding the decision had already been made!  Some of these women went back to work a few weeks after birth.  Even if Mom (or baby) is too busy to nurse during the day, nursing throughout the night will keep up the supply of breastmilk, providing baby with all the wonderful benefits of breastfeeding. 

On the other hand, I know a few moms who encouraged their babies to sleep all night without nursing and they could not keep up with baby's demand.  Not nursing at night AND trying to pump instead of nurse during the day?  That's really a recipe to lose your milk supply.  Now, this does not happen to every mom, but why risk it?

But isn't cosleeping dangerous?  Actually, there are some studies that show cosleeping is beneficial to baby.  They say Mom's breathing helps regulate Baby's breathing and that intentional cosleeping reduces the risk of SIDS  You can find more information on  Dr. Sears' website about cosleeping.  To make your bed as safe as possible for your little one, use common sense.  Cosleeping should be intentional (that means don't fall asleep with baby accidentally).  There is little risk of you (the non-smoking Mom) rolling over onto your baby unless you have been drinking, using drugs, are overtired, or are severly obese.  However, I don't recommed putting baby between mom and dad (or a sibling).   I'm not convinced Dad or a sibling wouldn't accidentally roll onto the baby.  You should have a rail or a net to keep baby from rolling out of bed.  Keep the floor clear so that if baby does happen to roll out she won't become trapped or suffocate (piles of clothing, trash cans, etc).  Never put your baby on the side of bed next to the wall as she could become trapped between the bed and the wall.  The safest option is to sleep on a mattress on the floor.


Two excellent breastfeeding/cosleeping resources:

Kellymom- a website devoted to breastfeeding and natural parenting

La Leche League- Their book, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, includes practical tips for cosleeping.  Even if you choose not to cosleep, this book is essential for the breastfeeding mother!

What about you?  How did you maintain your breastmilk supply? 

Disclaimer:  I am not a medical professional, just a mom who has nursed two babies.  Please consult your physician for advice on safe cosleeping.  I assume no responsibility for any outcome, good or bad, that results from this advice.

Linked to WFMW and Real Food Wednesday.

Establishing a Good Breastmilk Supply

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, just a mother who has nursed 2 children.  Please consult your doctor before trying anything new with your baby.  I assume no responsibility or liability for any advice herein.

Once again I'm inspired by my friend, a brand-new momma, to write about babies.  I talked to her husband a few days after the birth.  Very casually, he said, "Yeah, her milk ran out today.  She just stopped producing."  Huh?  I could not wrap my head around the idea of a brand-new mother running out of milk so soon after giving birth. My memories of the immediate post-partum period include leaking, wet shirts, lots of towels.  I kind of stuttered, "Um, well uh, what does the doctor say?"  As he told me they had not asked the doctor, I listened to the background noise.  I could hear other people talking.  Her family was at their house. 


After we hung up, I thought about how my friend has been spending her first few days as a new momma.  She lives very close to her tight-knit family.  I could picture them coming in and out all day long, while she sat on the couch.  I looked at some of her pictures on Facebook.  There were about 20 family members and friends at the hospital when she gave birth, and they all wanted a turn holding the baby.  Suddenly my vision grew crystal clear.  Everyone wanted to help her by holding the baby so she could 'rest' on the couch and chitchat.  Her family thought they were helping her out, but really they were helping her out of a successful breastfeeding relationship!  Grandma (or Aunt, or Cousin, or Friend or Neighbor) likes to be able to connect with the baby, which is understandable.  But from a health standpoint, it is more important that Mom connect with baby in those first few days.


I wrote her a quick email and advised her to tell her family to let her rest with the baby.  Family members can do all kinds of other things to help Mom- bring a home cooked meal over, do the dishes, do the laundry, answer the phone, go grocery shopping, bring water and fresh cut up fruit to Mom, vaccuum, clean the toilets, dust, sweep, mop, take out the trash, clean out the car, bake bread, take care of older kids, answer the phone, make breakfast- you get the idea!   

 To paraphrase Dr. Bradley, author of Husband Coached Childbirth,

Mom and baby need to snuggle together in bed, nurse alot, and just rest for 3 days.  It's not because you are sick, but it's to help you bond with your baby. 

For the sake of establishing a good milk supply, mom and baby should rest together.  Sleep as much as possible with your baby.  Try to figure out how to nurse laying down.  If you have trouble nursing laying down, then sit up and nurse.  But stay in bed for the most part.  When you do get up, put your baby in your baby carrier and take a walk outside for some fresh air. 

My son and me

Another thing you can do to build up a good milk supply is to delay using a pacifier and bottle.  There will be plenty of time for these a few weeks down the road!  Don't rush into using these just so that other people can hold the baby.  If other people need to bond with baby, they can bathe the baby, change diapers, get baby dressed or hold the baby while Mom showers.  The only one feeding the baby immediately after the birth should be Mom.  (Ya'll, I'm talking about normal births where Mom is able and desires to breastfeed.  I know there are special situations where this isn't possible).


By focusing all your energy on establishing a good milk supply, you are laying the foundation for a long and successful breastfeeding relationship


Do you have any tips for establishing (and maintaining) your milk supply?

Linked to WFMW.