Lactation Support: Relief for Milk Supply

Lactation Support: Finding Relief for Breast Milk Supply Struggles

If you’ve ever struggled to produce enough milk for your baby consistently, then you’re not alone. Encouraging your breasts to produce milk is no easy task, but it becomes even more challenging when your supply is nonexistent or limited. Even though some Lactation Consultants report that the number of newborns fed with breast milk has increased in recent years, others maintain that it’s only a matter of time until the demand for human milk meets its supply. Since the conditions that cause reduced lactation and insufficient milk production aren’t as well-known as other factors contributing to this phenomenon, finding relief from this challenge can feel like trying to nail jelly to a tree stump: It seems almost impossible!

However, many mothers have overcome these challenges with patience, perseverance, and some Lactation Support.

What is Lactation Support?

Lactation Support is a service that helps mothers, usually breastfeeding mothers, boost breast milk supply and/or decrease their pain and discomfort during breastfeeding. Mothers suffering from low milk supply can often improve the situation by using the services of a Lactation Consultant. Lactation Support is usually provided by the mother’s healthcare provider, such as a physician, midwife, or lactation consultant, by visiting their practice once a week or via phone or Skype. Lactation Support is a service some healthcare providers offer as part of their lactation services. While most lactation service providers will offer lactation support, it is not a requirement for mothers to receive services from their practice. If a mother’s healthcare provider does not offer lactation services, she may find support in various local, state, and national organizations.

Find Out the Symptoms of a Limited Lactation

Before you can even attempt to relieve your symptoms, you need to understand why you experience them in the first place. For many women, a low milk supply results from genetics or a medical condition. Suppose you have a medical condition that runs in your family, such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM). In that case, you may experience a low milk supply as well. If you have a family history of low milk supply, you will most likely experience a much different condition from the average breastfeeder. Whereas a low milk supply often means no milk for breastfeeding mothers, a low supply for women with genetic conditions usually means that one or both breasts will produce a smaller quantity of milk.

The top 3 symptoms that you need to be on the lookout for are:

• Difficulty feeding. You may experience pain or discomfort while feeding your baby or even feel unable to feed at all. You may also experience pain or soreness in your breasts.
• Frequent milk ejection. You may experience frequent milk ejection or let-downs. You may also experience pain or pain while pumping.
• Low milk supply. You may experience a low milk supply, producing only a few ounces during feeding. You may also experience pain or pain while pumping.

Learn to Recognize and Manage Your Individual Needs

To find relief from a limited milk supply, you need to understand the workings of your body better. The body needs time to adjust to breastfeeding; therefore, it may take time for your milk to be established. Until your breasts have established an adequate milk supply, they will produce small amounts of milk while your baby nurses. While it is true that many mothers experience low milk supply right away, it is also important to remember that every woman is different. Some women experience low milk supply after only a few days of breastfeeding, while others may be able to produce enough milk for their babies for several weeks.

It is also important to remember that each woman’s experience with breastfeeding is unique. Although some general guidelines may be suggested for breastfeeding success, no two breastfeeding experiences will be the same. You need to understand your body better to find your way in this journey.

Find Ways to Relieve Pain and Stomach Discomfort

If you experience pain while breastfeeding, there are ways to relieve it. The best way to relieve pain is to feed your baby as much as he or she wants to eat and then put your baby down for a few minutes. Try to make the experience as comfortable as possible each time you feed your baby. Now, this may be challenging, especially if your baby is crying, but try to make the experience as pain-free as possible. For example, put your baby on your lap, or stand in front of a wall so that the baby’s head is against it. This simple change can make all the difference.

If you experience stomach discomfort while breastfeeding, you may want to try eating foods that are easier to digest while breastfeeding. You may also want to try a short-term self-medication like a Reglan. These medications help to relax the muscles in your stomach, preventing them from contracting when you are trying to eat.

Sleep Support for Breastfeeding moms: How to Improve Supply

Sleeping is an important part of the breastfeeding process for many women. The hormones that are released during breastfeeding, such as oxytocin, are also released during sleep. Additionally, the sleep quality for breastfeeding women is often much more restful than that experienced by non-breastfeeding women. Sleep during breastfeeding has been shown to have many benefits for both the mother and the infant, including improved sleep and decreased stress levels, which can lead to higher levels of oxytocin in the mother’s bloodstream and help to establish a stronger milk supply.

As you may already know, sleep is important for your overall health and well-being, but it’s especially beneficial for breastfeeding moms. Getting the recommended amount of sleep can improve your milk supply, increase your milk volume, lower your baby’s chances of developing a condition such as SIDS, and help you to feel more alert and active in the mornings.

Conclusion

The good news is that breastfeeding is not only possible, but it’s also incredibly nourishing. You can expect to benefit from the minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients breastfeeding provides. If you’re having trouble with your milk supply, remember that every breastfeeding problem can get resolved with the help of lactation support.