Is it normal for my milk supply to drop after starting baby on solids?

Your milk supply will naturally decrease as your baby starts solids. What's happening is that your baby is slowly replacing your milk with other foods. If you want the weaning process to be slower I suggest you offer solid foods after the breast, rather than before. The best policy is simply to respond to your baby's cues, then everything should be in balance. If you feel like your milk supply has dropped and you don't have enough milk to satisfy your baby, then more frequent nursing sessions or pumping your milk should bring it back up.

My baby seems fussy while nursing and I just recently started birth control, could the pill be affecting my milk?

If your baby is unsettled while nursing your milk supply may be diminished. The hormones in birth control pills can reduce milk production, especially pills containing only estrogen. It is best to use a hormone free form of birth control while breastfeeding. If you must use pills, the progestin only pill is better because it only rarely reduces milk supply. It is also recommended to wait at least 6 weeks before starting the pill to insure that your milk supply is established and that your baby is growing well.

When is it necessary to see a Lactation Consultant?

It would be wise to see a Lactation Consultant under any of the following conditions:

Baby has lost 10% of his birth weight
Baby hasn't returned to his birth weight by 2 weeks
Breastfeeding is painful
Baby isn't satisfied or calm between feeds
Baby sleeps all the time (even while feeding)
Baby doesn't latch on to the breast
Baby doesn't make 3 wet (heavy) diapers a day by day 4
Baby's poo has not turned to yellow by day 5
Mom's nipples are very sore, cracked or damaged
Mom really wants to breastfeed but lacks information and instruction
Mom is concerned about breastfeeding and wants support and advice

Does just one bottle hurt?

Sometimes, a mother is committed to breastfeeding but will give her baby a bottle every once in a while. She may do this for various reasons: out of convenience, pressure from others, or because she's worried that the baby may still be hungry.

Though it may seem that giving a bottle every once and a while is harmless, in actuality, it can begin a downward spiral in your milk supply. Your milk supply is established by the baby suckling at the breast and emptying the breast. If the baby is sucking on a bottle or pacifier instead of your breast than you may not produce enough milk for your baby. I emphasize "may" because some mothers give a pacifier and have plenty of milk for their babies. However, to ensure that you will make enough milk for your baby you should avoid using pacifiers and bottles at least until your milk supply is well established.

If you are supplementing with a bottle, determine why. Is the baby really hungry, do you have enough milk, or is he just fussy? A baby fusses for many reasons - not just food. He may be cold, wants comfort, or is tired. Find the root of your baby's discomfort and address that. If your baby is truly hungry, then by all means feed him! Just make sure that when you give him a bottle you are increasing your milk supply by pumping. You may find that feeding the baby more frequently is all that is needed to keep him settled and your milk supply up.

How long should I continue breastfeeding?

Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby for about the first six months of his life. When your baby is ready for solids you can continue to breastfeed while supplementing with solid foods, water, natural juices, etc. as long as you and baby are happy doing so. The immunological, nutritional and psychological benefits of breastfeeding continue for the first few years of life. With this understanding, the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for at least two years.

I gave up nursing after two weeks and now I wish I hadn't, is it possible to breastfeed again?

If your baby is under three months old, you have very good chances of reestablishing your milk supply and teaching him to breastfeed. Even if he is under six months, there's still the possibility that he can start breastfeeding. Simply put your baby to the breast as often as you can and for as long as he wants. You'll need the latch and position to be just right, and the help of a breastfeeding specialist would be very valuable. Try to breastfeed when your baby is not very hungry. If he is hungry, feed him a little from the bottle and then breastfeed. Be patient, your baby needs time to learn how to nurse and your body needs time to produce more milk. You should continue supplementing with formula or pumped milk as you build up your milk production. You can review my post on how to breastfeed for tips on proper latch and positioning.

My baby is very small and my milk seems so thin. Is breastfeeding still the best way to feed my baby?

Breastfeeding is almost always the best way to feed your baby. Your baby's small size likely has more to do with your body type. If you and or your husband are slim, your children will generally by thin as well. Look at your baby's rate of growth, rather than size when determining if he is feeding well. Steady growth is a sign that feeding is going well.

The appearance of human milk varies from mother to mother and its components are more than what meets the eye. The fat in human milk is highest at the end of a feed, in the hind milk, and is drawn out by the baby's strong deep sucking. A pump, which you may be using to express your milk, does not draw out this fatty milk as well as your baby can, and so you may not see this creamy milk. Furthermore, your milk contains specific immunological factors that protect your baby from disease and cannot be replicated in any formula. The vitamins and minerals present in your milk are easily absorbed by your baby. For example, the high lactose and Vitamin C found in breastmilk help your baby absorb the iron. As a result, few breastfed babies are iron deficient.

So, you may still be wondering how to be sure that your baby is getting all that he needs. You know that your breastmilk is nourishing your newborn when:

• baby's stools have changed from black to yellow by day 4 or 5
• baby makes 3-4 clear wet diapers & 3-4 stools by day 4
• baby feeds 8-12 times in 24 hours
• your breasts feel softer after a feed
• baby is back to birth weight by two weeks
• baby is gaining 113 to 219 g/wk
• baby is content after feeding and rests for 1 - 2 hours

If you are concerned about any of the factors on the list above, it would be wise to see a breastfeeding counselor or lactation consultant. She can assess how your newborn is feeding and can help you develop a plan to insure that your baby is getting what he needs.