Look At The Baby, Not The Scales
Are you worried about your milk supply?
Here's what lactation consultant Kelly Bonyata has to say about normal weight gain:
“Baby should regain birth weight by 10 days to 2 weeks. If your baby lost a good bit of weight in the early days, or if your baby is sick or premature, it may take longer to regain birth weight. If baby does not regain birth weight by two weeks, this is a sign that the breastfeeding needs to be evaluated.”
Did you hear that? A sign that breastfeeding needs to be evaluated. It’s not a sign that you need to top up with formula; it’s a red flag that you need more help with breastfeeding. So go and find a lactation consultant.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association gives your baby even more time to regain their birth weight. They say:
“A baby loses 5-10% of birth weight in the first week and regains this by 2-3 weeks.”
If your baby is at or below birth weight, it's a concern, and certainly deserves the attention of a Lactation Consultant.
But Weight Gain, In And Of Itself, With No Other Symptoms, Is Not The Problem.
It’s an indicator that you need some extra breastfeeding support. Unfortunately, good help takes time, which some medical professionals do not have. It’s quicker and easier to top up with formula, but this does not exactly solve the breastfeeding problem. So make sure you find a lactation consultant who will have time to really support you with breastfeeding.
It’s really important to look at the underlying issue at this stage. There are some really simple things that can interfere with breastfeeding, for example tongue-tie or medication that has a sedative side effect. Get a Lactation Consultant to help you get on track.
But, there is also the often forgotten matter of oxytocin, which is responsible for your milk let down. If you are feeling stressed, exhausted, overwhelmed or anxious, your oxytocin system may have been interrupted. Figure out what you need to do to feel the love again, and the milk will flow too.
If you really do have low milk supply Christina Smilie may be able to inspire you. Once, I went to a conference with her that totally changed my life, and this is one of the things she taught me:
“Do we ever run out of tears? Only if we don’t feel sad. Do we ever run out of milk? Only if we don’t feel love.”
Christina Smilie