What do you do if your baby needs more breast milk? Let's talk about what steps you can take to build your supply.
1. Maintain a good eating regime. Breast feeding mothers need far more calories and extra protein. Taking extra supplements of vitamins and minerals and/or Sustagen can help. Adding herbal additives such as Fenugreek, Raspberry leaf or Blessed Thistle can also help boost supply. A doctor may also prescribe medication that may help to boost supply for a limited time.
2. Demand feed 2 to 4 hourly is normal demand feeding time, not every time the baby cries. A baby needs good sleep to be able to feed well and drain the breast efficiently.
3. Try using a breast pump after each feed for about 10 minutes, or until the flow stops. For those mothers who simply cannot express either by using a pump or hand expressing, offer each breast twice and observe how well the baby sucks. Some mothers notice a 'let down' the second time round.
Always assess how full each breast is before and after the feed. It takes practice to become aware of how much milk is available. At the end of the day your supply will be noticeably less and baby will definitely let you know they need more.
4. While trying to build up supply, you will need to offer baby a supplement after each feed as needed. This may be Expressed Breast Milk (EBM), if available, or offer a safe and easy to digest formula like NAN H.A. 1.
Nan HA 1 is hydrolysed, partially broken down cows milk protein. It has the advantage of reducing the risk of Eczema and allergies, does not constipate, has the same protein level as breast milk and is also a probiotic. Probiotics build up the immune system. This is particularly helpful for those babies born via caesarean section whose immune system may not 'kick in' till about 6 months.
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