Tips To Deal With An Overactive Milk Supply

Breast milk feeding is one of the best ways to ensure proper growth of your baby. Loaded with approximately 400 nutrients, as well as disease-fighting elements and hormones, breast milk is highly healthy and a complete food in-itself. Feeding your baby with your breast milk for up to six months is especially good as it helps improve the baby’s cognitive development, level of intelligent and smartness.

And, it’s just not your baby, even you are widely benefitted. Breast milk feeding helps mothers lose weight, lowers the risk of getting breast cancer, protects against ovarian cancer and even reduces the risk of developing type – 2 disease. That’s all well, but what to do when your body produces too much milk? Here, in this post, we detail some essential tips on how to deal with an overactive milk supply.

• Make sure that your baby is property latched to your breast. Most babies struggle latching to their mother’s breast in the initial days of birth. If he/she still faces trouble latching, it is best to consult a doctor. 
• Feed him/her whenever he/she is hungry. 
• Feed him/her whenever your breast feels full, even if that means that you have to wake the baby up from his/her sleep. It, apparently, is the only way to match the demand to supply of your breast milk.
• Before feeding, express the excess milk using a breast milk pump. This helps reduce the flow of the milk and allows the baby to latch properly. This way, you will be able to feed the baby in a proper manner. 
• Store the milk of one of your breasts and let the baby latch to the other. Doing this for some time can significantly help your body to regular the supply of milk. 
• If the initial letdown of milk is the main problem you are facing, after which things get back to normal, catch the first spray in a towel and then allow your baby latch to your breast.
• Splashing cold water on your breast is yet another way to slow down letdown. 

Even through oversupply of milk may seem to be troublesome, it’s your body’s way of indicating you that you are lactating properly. If you feel that you are producing more milk than usual, you can store it for times when you would not be around to breast milk feeding the baby.

How to Make Breastmilk Feeding Easier for New Moms

Breastmilk feeding has a wealth of benefits for both, the mother and her new-born. Easy to digest, the breastmilk not only offers excellent nutritional value to the baby but provides protection against a multitude of infections. Breast milk also prevents the baby against many health complications such as diabetes, obesity at a later stage of life, etc. For mothers, breastmilk feeding right after delivery helps their uterus to contract much faster and speed up her recovery by regaining the lost blood.

Along with other benefits, it is also a common fact that many first time mothers experience anxiety even while thinking of how to breastfeed their new-born. Though they face a lot of challenges, modern moms of today are fortunate enough to live in a world where a host of practical solutions are available for all her breastfeeding problems.

Listed here are five absolute must-haves when one is breastfeeding:

1.       Nursing Bras: Extremely comfortable, these bras provide extra support to the breasts of the mothers who need to feed the baby on-the-go. One should make sure that the bras are soft and flexible so that they can expand when there is surplus milk coming in.

2.       Nipple Shields: These are useful in providing relief to the sore nipples from pain and add moisture to the sensitive and cracked skin.

3.       Breast pumps: These are extremely helpful when mothers need to stay away from home. They can easily store their breast milk by using the exclusive breast pumps for their little one. Doctors suggest mothers to start pumping from three to four weeks after delivery as it helps to improve the flow of milk and keeps mothers all set to handle feedings anytime, anywhere.

4.       Breastmilk storage bags: These are specially designed to keep breastmilk fresh for over 24 hours as well as are convenient to carry around while traveling.

5.       Nursing pillows: Mothers can make their nursing moments more special and cuddly by using the extra comfortable and soft nursing pillows which help in supporting the baby during long nursing sessions.

Breast milk feeding is one of the most pleasurable and rewarding experiences for mothers as it enhances the bond between her and her baby. It indeed is a great feeling and hence, it is worth the effort to make it a success.  

Signs That You Are Breast Milk Feeding Correctly

A baby is a mother’s ultimate source of joy and happiness. And this happiness doubles when you start bonding with your little one – by offering him your love, care and affection. As a newbie mom, you’re sure to be concerned whether your baby is getting enough milk or not. Don’t worry, your baby will ensure that he has his heart’s fill or will convey his dissatisfaction very strongly to you. If you’re still in doubt, the below mentioned signs of successful breast milk feeding will abate your concerns.

Your infant grows with health:

One of the best signs of successful breastfeeding is a happy baby who also seems to gain appropriate weight. This is a sure indication of your baby receiving ample amount of milk to fill is stomach full. Don’t be upset if he loses weight soon after his birth. It’s a normal phenomenon. He will quickly gain his weight in the coming weeks.

Your breasts are different, but don’t fret:

Stop obsession on the fact that breastfeeding is painful. When your little one latches on for feeding, it’s possible that you feel a little tugging sensation but that can’t be classified as pain. Also, of you feel “full” before your baby’s meal – you surely are doing great.

He has no Problem Swallowing

When you breastfeed milk, try and listen to his swallowing sound. As normal as they may feel, they are majestic and sure to leave you with that sweet smile of contentment. If your baby is quiet and peaceful while breast milk feeding, he surely is enjoying himself!

Your baby feeds quiet Often:

Expect your newborn to feed as frequently as eight to twelve times in a day. Be prepared to feeding him every now and then and for longer time periods in the initial days. Wondering whether you will have enough milk? You surely will! As he grows older, the feeding is probably going to get more consistent and also the durations will reduce.

Your gut assures everything’s well

No one knows your infant better than you do. If your gut says that your little one if healthy and content, he surely is exactly how you feel. However, if any one of the above signals don’t seem to be quiet right and your baby is fussy or lethargic, it’s best to consult a doctor.

Breast milk feeling is an overwhelming experience for every mother. Just remember, your intuition is really one of the best tips to successful breastfeeding, be on your guard in case your feel pain or are apprehensive about whether you’re correctly feeding your baby. Your gynaecologist and baby’s paediatrician can help you sail through the sea easily and safely.