Negative Influences on Milk Supply

It takes about six weeks after birth to establish a good and abundant milk supply for your little one. Some factors and substances can contribute to the most common problem a lactating mother will have, maintaining their milk supply.

• The first negative factor that can cause low milk supply is long spaces between feedings.

When my son was born, I was always told to feed him every 2-3 hours. Little did I know I was setting myself up with supply issues.

Pay attention to feeding cues instead of the clock. Feeding cues a baby exhibits include:

• Rooting, turning their head with searching movements of the mouth. If you stroke their cheek and they turn towards the stimulus, this is a feeding cue.
• Increasing alertness, especially REM (rapid eye movement) under closed eye lids.
• Flexing of the arms and legs.
• Bringing hands to the mouth, followed by sucking on their fist or finger.
• Mouthing motions of the lips and tongue.
• REMEMBER: Crying is considered a late feeding cue! Crying is an infant's way of getting their mother's attention when they failed to see the other subtle cues.

When you follow a baby's feeding cue rather than a clock, you will not compromise your milk supply. When you feed your baby, the prolactin (hormone that produces milk) levels are high. If you wait the full 3 hours before feeding your baby again, the prolactin levels are very low and the levels will not rise as high. The key to establishing your supply is to feed while the prolactin levels are still somewhat high.

• Another negative factor that can cause low milk supply is cigarette smoking.

Smoking mothers may have lower fat in their milk. Prolactin levels in a mother who smokes are also lower than in mothers who do not some. The levels can rise normally after 12 hours of not smoking. Mothers who are pump dependent may collect less milk if they smoke. Breastfeeding may mitigate the adverse effects on the child's cognitive development of smoking during pregnancy.

• Pacifiers can have a negative effect on milk supply

Research indicates that pacifier use resulted in fewer feedings, shorter duration of suckling per 24 hours, shorter duration of exclusive breastfeeding and any breastfeeding at all.
Lactation professionals often would like to know why the pacifier is being used? Does the mother have sore nipples? Soothing crying? Or even sleeping problems? If any of these problems lead you to consider using a pacifier, contact a lactation consultant. Most of the time they can help solve these problems.
- Here's a little statistic: The risk of ear infections in an infant is 2x greater if a pacifier is used and 5x greater if bottle fed. A 20% reduction of pacifier use led to a 29% reduction in ear infections.

• Bottles of water or formula also have a negative effect on milk supply

Water is not needed for either breastfed or formula fed babies. Babies that are fed formula do not need extra water. Even if the weather is hot and dry, babies do not need extra water. Babies can actually become water intoxicated! Also, early introduction of supplemental feedings with formula is often associated with a decrease in the amount of breast milk and even early weaning.

When problems arise concerning milk supply, seek out a lactation professional. They are there to help you in this time of need. Each time they help you, you will begin to build your confidence. Confidence is so important to have during your breastfeeding journey. Take advantage of your local support groups as well as the help of a lactation consultant.

Information provided by Healthy Children Project, Inc.