In some cases it is only a sensation of the new mother, but if the baby does not grow sufficiently it is good to consult the pediatrician.
Breastfeeding is considered the natural continuation of the relationship that is created between mother and child during the 9 months of pregnancy. It is a way to get to know each other and to establish a unique and special bond, but also to provide the newborn with the most appropriate nourishment for the first months of life. And not only that: let’s see in the following table what are the other benefits for mother and child.
| Benefits for mom | Benefits for the child |
|---|---|
| The earlier it starts, it accelerates recovery from childbirth and involution of the uterus and reduces the risk of bleeding and mortality | Reduces the incidence and duration of gastroenteritis |
| Reduces blood loss, thus helping to maintain iron balance | protects against acute infections (pneumonia, otitis, Haemophilus influenzae infections, meningitis and urinary infections) |
| Prolongs the period of postpartum infertility | Reduces the risk of developing allergies |
| Promotes weight loss and weight recovery | Improves eyesight and psychomotor development |
| Reduces the risk of breast cancer before menopause and ovarian cancer | Improves intestinal development and reduces the risk of occlusions |
| Reduces the risk of osteoporosis. | Protects against chronic conditions such as type 1 diabetes, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease |
| is associated with lower blood pressure and total cholesterol levels, and with a reduced prevalence of type 2 diabetes and overweight and obesity during adolescence and adult life |
However, breastfeeding is not always lived serenely because, in addition to the tiredness of the first months and the pain in case of traffic jams and fissures, new mothers often anxiously ask themselves “but will my milk be enough?”.
Milk is produced by breastfeeding
The mechanism that regulates the production of breast milk is based on a real circulation: the more the baby sucks, the more milk is produced. This happens because two hormones come into play, prolactin and oxytocin, produced physiologically immediately after the birth of the newborn, and subsequently in response to breastfeeding.
Prolactin stimulates the mammary gland to produce milk and is synthesized by the pituitary gland following the so-called “prolactine reflex”: when the baby attaches to the breast and sucks, the synthesis of this hormone is induced, which enters the circulation and starts the production of milk for the next feeding. Therefore, if prolactin levels are not kept high by frequent sucking of the baby, milk will gradually become scarce.
Oxytocin, on the other hand, has the task of stimulating the contraction of the cells of the mammary gland at the level of which milk is produced, so that this reaches the so-called galactophore breasts, from which the newborn, sucking the nipple, extracts milk.
For all this to work smoothly it is therefore essential not only that the newborn is breastfed with a certain frequency and regularity, but also that it attaches to the nipple correctly: otherwise, the breast will not be completely emptied, and consequently the subsequent production of milk will be inhibited to avoid overfilling the breast and incurring the risk of traffic jams or mastitis.
When it comes to a false alarm
The main reason that causes new mothers to stop breastfeeding to switch to formula milk is the belief that the baby does not receive enough nourishment.
One of the factors that suggests a low milk production is the feeling of no longer having swollen and turgid breasts as in the first few weeks of the baby’s life. In fact, this is a completely physiological phenomenon, due to the fact that over time the maternal organism is able to regulate milk production according to the demands of the baby.
Another alarm bell is the restlessness, especially in the evening, of the baby: crying or the request to attach frequently to the breast can be, as well as not be, signs of hunger. It is in fact possible that the newborn cries because of other factors, such as gaseous colic, and that it attaches to the breast not because of the need to feed, but because it is looking for that comfort that sucking and contact with the mother can give him.
A third “false alarm” is represented by the so-called growth spurts: these are moments in the life of the newborn (which usually occur around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months of age) during which his need for nutrients increases and the newborn therefore requires to attach himself to the breast more frequently. In these cases, however, it is sufficient to satisfy her requests for a few days, so that the maternal organism adapts to the new needs by increasing milk production.
How to tell if milk is not enough
Before coming to the conclusion that milk is not enough, it is always advisable to consult your pediatrician, who can actually check whether or not maternal fears are well-founded.
For this purpose there are very useful parameters: first of all it is essential to control its growth in terms of weight, which in the first months should be around 150-200 grams per week.
Another factor to consider is the number of diapers that the mother will have to change daily because they are wet with pee: if the newborn sucks enough, from the fifth day there will be at least six.
Finally, even the appearance of the baby can give indications: when breastfeeding proves effective and the newborn is in good health, then his complexion will be rosy and the baby will prove lively and active.
Insist or give up?
If, analyzing the factors listed above, the pediatrician comes to the conclusion that breastfeeding is not enough to adequately feed the newborn, it is possible that he proposes to new mothers three alternatives:
- attempt to increase breast milk production
- continue with a “mixed” breastfeeding
- Exclusively feed your baby with bottles and formula milk.
In the first case, the advice will be to favor the contact between mother and child and to attach it to the breast more frequently, satisfying the requests even if very close, or proposing the breast after no more than 2-3 hours from the previous feeding even if the newborn does not yet show the desire to eat.
Do not underestimate the psychophysical well-being of the mother, essential for adequate milk production: it is therefore important to follow a healthy and balanced diet and try to rest as much as possible and avoid any kind of stress.
Although not a scientifically tested remedy, some women also rely on herbal teas considered to stimulate milk production, such as fenugreek or Galega officinalis.
Alternatives to breastfeeding
If, despite these tips, milk production does not increase and the baby does not grow as it should, the first step could be to supplement breast milk by inserting additions or entire feedings of infant formula.
Mixed breastfeeding has the advantage of ensuring the benefits of breast milk to the baby, but at the same time also being able to monitor with certainty the amount of formula milk that the baby takes every day.
If, however, even combining the two modes of breastfeeding the results in terms of well-being and growth of the child were not considered satisfactory by the pediatrician, then it will be appropriate to progressively reduce breast feedings until switching to an exclusively artificial breastfeeding.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.