I wasn't convinced that I truly had a low milk supply, until I
went to a professional breastfeeding consultant who weighed my
baby after every feeding for an entire day. They shared with me
that despite all my efforts of constant nursing, I didn't have
enough milk to sustain my baby. It broke my heart.
I see two kinds of people reading this site. The first are mothers
and laleche members who haven't had a problem nursing and are convinced
that us low milk supply women have done something wrong. They say
in their head, Well, if she would just take the baby to bed for
a 48 hour marathon nursing, their milk supply would have come in.
Or, Perhaps it's because of a latching problem. UGH!!! Truly, some
do have low milk supply even though the baby latched well, and
even though you fought the hospital and WON, and even though you
nursed and pumped continually. There are many reasons why women
like us, no matter what we do, our milk is just not enough.
The second kinds of people are those who are new breastfeeding
moms scarred that their baby isn't getting enough to eat. I am
not a professional breastfeeding consultant in any way, however,
if you have any doubt that your baby might not be getting enough
to eat breastfeeding, please see a professional lactation consultant
right away. There is only one way to be sure if your baby is getting
enough milk from you or not. That is to weigh your baby before
and after every breastfeeding. No other method measures what your
baby is getting from you. Counting diapers is too subjective. I
did that. Even if you pumped and measured your milk production,
it may be that your pump is more effective at getting milk from
you than your baby or vice versa. A digital baby scale is essential
if there is any concern about the amount of milk your baby is getting.
If you have discovered that you, also, are a fellow low milk supplier,
I'm here to encourage you that you CAN STILL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL,
breastfeeding relationship with your child. Even if you have to
break down and supplement with what I call a protein shakes (formula
just sounds so unnatural) you can still have that connection with
your baby that only a mother can have. This picture up on top is
of me and my little girl increase%20breast%20milk.htm">breastfeeding
successfully at six months
and we're still going strong today so don't give up! If I can do
it so can you!
|
