This is a long one, but please read if you *think* you need to supplement!

We’ve noticed pretty much from day one of this group that A LOT of mums seem to be under the impression that they need to take galactagogues as soon as baby arrives. Some moms even think they must supplement with formula because their milks not coming in.

*galactagogues consist of things like lactation cookies and “pink drinks” (which by the way the pink drinks are not what they are cracked up to be — too much sugar)

If any one has luck with these things it’s typically only a temporary fix. If you want to truly up your supply you should put baby to breast as much as possible and try pumping every three to four hours 10-15 mins each side.

🔺First and foremost for some women it takes a bit for your milk to come in but the more you put your newborn to the breast the quicker this will happen. Even if baby isn’t latching/ or sucking right away.. KEEP TRYING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN literally with in minutes to hours keep trying. It may take a few tries for baby to realize what he or she needs to do.

If you have a NICU baby then start pumping immediately. The hospital should have a pump for you to use if you don’t have one but you should pump as soon as you can and do it every two to three hours 10-15 mins each side UNTIL your baby is out of the nicu and also try to visit baby as much as you can and every time tell the nurses you really want to be successful with breastfeeding so can you try to BF. They may say no if baby is on a tube or something to that extent but ask anyways and ask every time so they don’t forget to let you try ASAP.

🔺A newborn babies stomach only holds a tiny amount which is why you only produce a tiny amount in the first three to four days. By week two, when your milk is in, baby still only has a tiny tummy, about the size of an egg. So pumping out just 2oz is completely normal. In fact, it’s great!

Very, very few women actually suffer with true low supply. Only 2%, actually. The following are used by many as a reason to panic, when they’re NOT indicators of low supply:

- How much you can pump. A baby is much better at getting milk than a pump is. Some women cannot pump at all, but still have chunky babies. Some women just don’t respond to pumps.

- Baby wanting to feed frequently. Newborns do this, and it’s how they regulate your supply. But they don’t always feed because they’re hungry. Sometimes they just want to be near you. The world is such a scary place. You offer them comfort.

- Baby taking a bottle after feeding. Babies will. They don’t know when to stop. They’ll eat it if it’s offered, then they’ll vomit it all back up again. If you begin supplementing with formula, or expressed milk, you will lower your supply, because each bottle given is less time on the breast. It’s creating a paradox, often called the ‘formula trap’.

- A fussy baby. I just mentioned how scary the world is. Fussy evenings, where you don’t take them off the breast are completely normal, especially in the first few weeks. Again, they’re regulating your supply, and it’s an excuse to be close to you.

- Your breasts not leaking, or suddenly not feeling as full. Some women don’t leak. Once your supply regulates, you’ll stop feeling full.

- Your baby not nursing for as long as before. Baby is just getting better at feeding!

- Baby suddenly increasing how much they feed. It’s probably a growth spurt. Common times for growth spurts are during the first few days at home and around 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months and 9 months.

- You never feel a ‘let down’. Some women don’t.

- Baby feeding for longer. Again with the growth spurt.

Women’s bodies have been producing milk since the dawn of time. We were producing milk before we figured out fire or invented the wheel. Since before we even learned to walk properly upright. Trust your body to know what it’s doing. As long as your baby is gaining weight, peeing and pooping, your supply is fine. So stop stressing about it. Stress decreases breastmilk production. So your stressing is creating a paradox.

Consider tribal mums. The breastfeeding rate amongst tribal mums is 100%. They don’t have formula, pumps, freezers, pink drinks, lactation cookies, a good diet and plenty to drink; yet they manage just fine.

I’m not saying that a healthy diet and lots to drink aren’t important while breastfeeding, I’m saying these mums don’t have access to the nutrition we do, yet they exclusively breastfeed.

—Credit to Breastfeeding Support Group on Facebook 🤱🏻