As a new mama, you may have envisioned yourself having a blissful breastfeeding journey. A picture of peace -- you and your baby quietly nursing in a corner. But that’s not the reality for most mamas.
Most of the time, there are painful nipples, poor latch, and a wailing baby because of your low milk supply. If the latter is your concern, don’t worry, mama. It’s okay to struggle with milk supply…especially if this is your first baby.
The good news is there are a lot of ways to get help. In this article, we will discuss the causes of low milk supply and how to stop living with low milk supply.
4 Causes of Low Milk Supply
There are many factors to consider when you have a low milk supply. But here are some of the most common ones to look out for:
1. Not Enough Milk-Making Ducts
During your pregnancy, your glandular tissue will develop. They are in-charge in producing milk.
Unfortunately, not all of our bodies develop in the same way. For example, some women may not grow these tissues normally.
Breastfeeding will help improve your glandular tissue. However, this is unlikely the issue for the second and succeeding babies.
2. Existing Health Issues
You may find it hard to produce milk if you have illnesses such as PCOS, hypertension, diabetes, or other similar health concerns.
You may also have a low supply if hormonal issues prevent you from conceiving. This is because hormones are essential in sending a message to the body to produce milk.
You may also encounter the same issue if you use hormonal birth control.
3. Breast Surgery
Of course, procedures on your breasts, whether for medical or cosmetic purposes, may affect your ability to produce milk.
Some of these treatments include breast enlargement or reduction operations. But, unfortunately, even getting nipple piercings may also have an adverse effect.
4. Not Feeding Enough
Just like anything else in life, you would need to practice to get better. So don’t let having a low milk supply stop you from trying.
This will stimulate your breasts and encourage them to produce more milk.
On top of that, you can also produce more milk if your breasts are empty. That’s why giving yourself and your baby more time to feed is essential.
How to Improve your Milk Supply
Now that we’ve established the most common reasons for having a low milk supply, we will discuss ways to increase it.
1. Breastfeed as soon as possible.
It would be best if you did not wait for breastfeeding. However, the earlier you start, the better production of milk you will get.
If possible, hold your baby skin-to-skin after your delivery. By doing so, they will most likely latch on and feed before the hour is over.
2. Breastfeed often
As we have mentioned before, allowing yourself to practice is essential. Try to breastfeed as often as you can.
Try to do so between eight to twelve times a day – even when little to no milk is produced. Trust yourself that you will eventually find produce enough amount.
3. Don’t use a pacifier
Instead, let your baby latch on to you.
This will stimulate your breast and encourage milk production. In addition, this will develop your connection with your baby even more – which is also crucial in successful breastfeeding.
4. Eat a healthy diet
What you eat will be essential in keeping your milk supply steady.
Aside from healthy breastfeeding foods, it would be best if you were mindful of what you drink. For starters, you need to keep yourself hydrated by drinking enough water daily.
On top of that, you can also drink milk boosters known to increase supply. You can do so by blending almonds to make lactation smoothies.
If you don’t have time to make one, milk boosters also come in powder form. These are also effective minus the preparation and cleanup effort.
Also Read: How to Increase Breast Milk Supply Fast? Try These 6 Boosters!
Increase Your Milk Supply with Mama’s Choice Almond Breast Milk Booster
An easy way to increase your milk supply is to drink the Mama’s Choice Almond Powder Breast Milk Booster. Packed with essential vitamins and minerals to nourish mamas and enriched with DHA to aid in baby’s brain development, this milk booster is just what mamas struggling with low milk supply need.
What’s in every glass?
- Protein to build and repair body tissues
- Calcium to strengthen the bones of breastfeeding mamas
- Vitamin A to promote healthy eyes, digestion, respiratory system, and skin
- Vitamin B1, B6, B9, and B12 to boost energy and help with the formation of red blood cells
- Vitamin C to help stimulate collagen production
As a brand known for its carefully selected blend of natural ingredients, this breast milk booster does not disappoint with its impressive formulation.
- Almond improves the quality of breast milk
- Fenugreek increases breast milk production
- Katuk Leaves increase the hormone prolactin for breast milk production
- Date Extract is rich in vitamins and minerals, and increases the hormone oxytocin for breast milk production
- DHA is suitable for a baby’s brain development
Best of all, this booster is proven effective! In a study done in Singapore, four out of five mamas shared that drinking this plant-based milk booster increased their milk supply.
Overall, smart lifestyle choices and a drink of milk booster every day will help you improve your milk supply. Sooner or later, you no longer need to keep living with a low milk supply.
If you want to boost your milk supply, click the link below to shop on Mama’s Choice’s official Shopee store!