A few weeks after giving birth, a nursing mother can notice her breasts becoming softer. In such situations, some women worry whether it is the result of natural changes or a lactation crisis.
A true deficiency of breast milk is very rare. It is normal for the breasts to become soft after the first weeks of lactation when they are almost constantly tight due to the overproduction of milk. In several weeks, they may even seem empty. This does not mean that lactation stops. It’s just that now milk production is based on the principle of supply and demand. The breasts do not fill as intensively as before, but milk is constantly produced in them whenever it is needed, i.e., when the baby starts to suckle. You can always shop organic baby formulas at Organic’s Best, but make sure to check if your baby is getting enough breast milk first.
How to Make Sure the Baby Is Getting Enough Breast Milk?
Checking if your baby is getting enough milk is very simple. Certain types of baby behavior can tell you this. Note that these signs are complete and reliable when the baby is exclusively breastfed.
The General Condition of the Baby
When we talk about the baby’s good general condition, we mean the color and texture of its skin, reflexes, muscle tone, mucus membrane hydration, Holle Bio and general signs of activity and vital joy. A baby who is in good general condition, asks for food, urinates normally, etc., is almost certainly well-fed.
Defecation
One of the best ways to tell if your little one is getting enough milk is by checking your baby’s diaper. If your baby eats the right amount of food, it will need to change diapers often enough. A breastfed infant poops two to three times a day for the first few months. By the second month of your baby’s life, defecation may decrease to once a day, and even to once per three days or even once a week.
Urine
When the baby urinates less than 6 times a day, and its characteristic signs are a small amount, a dark yellow color, and a strong smell, it may indicate that the baby is not getting enough milk. However, if an infant urinates more than six times a day, it does not necessarily mean it is properly nourished. This may mean it is not digesting milk fully and therefore is not gaining weight properly. Therefore, you should monitor your little one.
Body Weight
If the baby does not regain physiological weight loss after the birth within what is considered normal, in this case, breastfeeding should be monitored with the help of a pediatrician. A healthy baby should gain between 500 grams and 2 kilograms of body weight per month. Regular weight gain tells us about the correct course of the lactation process.
Important! Your baby is likely eating enough if it sucks your breast for at least 10 minutes and you hear the sound of swallowing. You should feel your breasts are softer after feeding.
Before the baby starts crying, thus letting you know that it is hungry, it usually gives the first signs of hunger. Usually, when an infant smacks, sucks its fist, is restless, opens its mouth, and looks for food in a characteristic way, it means you should feed it.
Worries of Breastfeeding Mothers
If you’re concerned about whether your baby is fed properly, you’re not alone. Here are the most common worries of breastfeeding women.
The baby asks for the breast every 1-2 hours. Do I have a small amount of milk?
If the baby is gaining weight well, there is no reason to worry. You must continue to breastfeed your baby on demand. It is worth taking care of calmness during feeding so that nothing distracts the baby. The mother’s body cares primarily about the quality of milk, so you should not worry that your milk is too lean.
The baby asks for night feeds more often. Isn’t it eating enough during the day?
Not necessarily. Day milk contains a lot of protein, while night milk contains fat, which gives a lot of energy. The baby is probably more active during the day now and instinctively snacks on more caloric milk at night.
Why does the baby suck the breast once for 2 minutes and other times for 20?
Babies have different needs. Sometimes they eat more, other times less. If the baby sucks frequently and for a long time, but no swallowing is heard, it probably uses the breast to calm down or feel your warmth. In such a case, you can ensure your little one has other forms of close contact with you.
If you notice disturbing symptoms in your baby, e.g., dry diapers, sleepiness, apathy or anxiety, increased crying, lack of appetite and weight gain, check with the pediatrician.
