during a Feeding The Beast During the session, women consider many factors such as the position of the baby, and good breastfeeding technique, but many women do not know whether they have enough breast milk.

Dr Ghazala Khan, Lactation Consultant, Motherhood Hospitals spoke to Times Now Digital about breastfeeding and its various aspects.

She added, “Breastfeeding strengthens the emotional bond between mother and child, breast milk contains antibodies and helps build a strong immune system in babies. It is known to reduce the chances of ear, respiratory and intestinal infections and helps the baby maintain a healthy weight. As far as mothers are concerned, those who breastfeed are less likely to have high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. However, many women are unaware of their milk supply. They don’t know if they can produce enough breast milk that will be sufficient for the baby.”

Signs of a Low Supply of Breast Milk

If the baby is not gaining weight properly, it may be due to inadequate nutrition caused by a low milk supply. Dehydration, poor bowel movements, and the baby being restless or irritable after feedings would also be signs of a low milk supply.

Causes of low milk supply include:

Women may have several problems like postpartum haemorrhage, previous surgeries, trauma, tongue tie in the baby, baby not being able to latch on properly during breastfeeding, mother’s inability to cope with diabetes, thyroid disease and polycystic ovary syndrome. Mothers need to seek timely help and ensure adequate milk production for their babies.

How can you know if a breastfeeding mother is getting enough milk?

Babies regain their birth weight within 1-2 weeks and continue to gain weight during the first few months. Healthy babies typically wet at least 5-6 diapers and pass stools 2-3 times per day during the early months. Mothers should actively monitor these signs in their babies and report them to a specialist. Doing so can help determine if the baby is getting enough milk.

Tips for Mothers to Increase Milk Supply

Mothers should breastfeed babies frequently, use a breast pump to stimulate milk production, do not replace breast milk with formula milk immediately after the baby is born, stay healthy and hydrated to produce enough breast milk, make sure to feed the baby when he is hungry. Joining support groups or forums can also help mothers share experiences related to breast milk production, gain valuable information from other mothers, and enhance the breastfeeding experience.

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