Common signs of supply not being enough are a baby that is gaining weight very slowly and looking hungry between most if not all feeds. Baby poo will change from yellow mustard to brown or even a dark green and be less frequent and urine will be less and coloured yellow. Frequent night waking when baby previously was not is a sign that baby wants mum to make more milk and happens normally at week 2 and again at week 6. This can happen at other times when baby is signalling that they need more milk. Babies will frequently look hungry when they are just tired and will often want to suck to soothe as well as if they are hungry so these can be unreliable signs. Sometimes the worry about supply can drop supply so it is best to do what you can to support supple and get some prompt reassurance from a heath professional such as lactation consultant, maternal child health nurse or midwife.

Mums can help to create a generous milk supply by feeding their baby frequently during the early weeks and if not needing to express and bottle refraining from doing this in the early weeks until baby has consolidated their skills and set mums milk supply up to suit their needs. When this happens we see less mastitis and much healthier milk supplies. Babies know how much food they need. It’s the initial groundwork that allows for flexibility later on. Night feeds are necessary to set up a good supply and a natural part of babyhood so be patient, they are a good and short term thing. Also giving baby two thirds of their feed time on the first breast before moving to the second or indeed even having their fill on the first side if that is enough (though always off the second just in case!) will set up mums supply well as well as making babies grow well. Mum eating and drinking enough, rather than dieting and exercising to excess are also important. Calories in for calories out and mums need more calories feeding than being pregnant. Some herbs and medications can help supply, speak to midwife maternal child health or lactation consultant re these.

How can I tell if my baby is well attached to the breast?

Your baby is well attached if:   

• Chin is well pressed into breast, head is tilted back

• There is no sharp pain apart from the initial 20-30 seconds

• When nipple comes out of baby’s mouth it is not shaped or compressed or damaged

• Baby swallows can be heard and breast feels more drained after feed

• Baby is gaining weight and having mustard yellow poos.

Should there be pain when I am breastfeeding?

This is a very common question. The answer is; this is a new job your nipples are doing and it is reasonable to expect some settling in discomfort as you begin. This should only occur at the very beginning of a feed and then ease and result in no nipple damage. This will pass after 2-3 weeks and then feeding is a very comfortable experience when going normally.

There is pain sometimes when things are not going normally, such as:

• Incorrect baby attachment or technique (most common) limited to feed time.

• Very full breasts, variations in nipple shape, limited to feed times.

• Variation in baby mouth tongue or palate shape, limited to feed times.

• Breast and nipple thrush, can happen during and between feeds.

• Vasospasm (often when very sensitive to cold) can happen during and between feeds.

• If pain does not seem normal, see or speak to midwife, maternal child health nurse, or lactation consultant to determine cause and then work out a plan to address.