Worried About Underfeeding Your Baby With Breast Milk?

by shopbug on January 13, 2010 · 0 Comments
in Baby

Congratulations, you are now a mother of a new-born baby. From then onward, you’ll have tonnes of joy with your newborn and also thousands of things for you to be worried about. The very first and foremost, according to most mothers, is whether you are underfeeding your baby with insufficient breast milk?

If this is your worry, no problem, we can help.

Angelina Jolie Breastfeeding

The most effective way to increase milk supply is by nursing your baby frequently and without restrictions. If you are wondering how to increase breast milk supply or you are concerned that you are not producing enough – it’s important to just breastfeed more often! Babies should be put to the breast as soon as possible after birth and frequently thereafter, to optimize breastfeeding potential, estimated to be about every 2 hours.

The baby’s sucking causes your body to release special hormones that tell your brain to make the exact type and amount of nutrients that your individual baby needs. Avoid substances that may cause lowered milk supply such as smoking, caffeine, birth control pills, decongestants and antihistamines and also those severe weight loss diets.

Most newborns want to breastfeed eight to 15 times a day after the first three to four days of life, which will probably have settled down to six to eight times a day by the end of the first week. Feed your baby as often as he needs it. Routines have no place in your day while you’re breastfeeding. And that includes Angelina too

During the first couple of weeks, you may wonder if your baby is getting enough milk, especially if he wants to feed all the time or is unsettled after feeds. Once the first sleepy day or two have passed, your baby should be hungry more often. And he probably is, since breast milk is digested within a couple of hours of consumption.

Unfortunately, weighing the baby in the first few days will probably not reassure you, since newborns normally lose five to 10 per cent of their birth weight in the first three days. However after three or so days, your baby should start to gain weight again and if he is weighed again at five to seven days, you should be able to see that he is starting to grow.

There are instances where the baby is not getting sufficient nutrient or feeds during their breastfeeding. So, what are the warning signs that your baby isn’t getting enough to eat? The following may give you a good gauge:-

If your baby does not begin to regain his birth weight and put on weight after the first few days.
Your breasts don’t feel softer after feeds.
Your baby is unsettled or lethargic most of the time.
Your baby has dimples in his cheeks or makes clicking noises while breastfeeding.
Your baby is wetting fewer than six to eight nappies in a 24-hour period after the five days following birth.
Your baby doesn’t have a bowel movement at least once a day or is having small, dark stools five days or more after birth.
He becomes more yellow, instead of less, after the first week.
He does not develop a rounded face by about three weeks.
Your baby’s skin remains wrinkled after the first week.

Man Breastfeeding

If you do have this signs and are concerned about them, you should be, please consult your pediatrician.

If you nor your baby have these symptoms, then you don’t have to worry about underfeeding your baby then. Nature has it’s way of doing things and you are naturally born to be able to feed your child, so no worries about it. In fact, even men can breastfeed their baby, so why not you?

Rests assure you will be giving your baby enough milk if your baby is latched on well at the breast and feeds on demand. Feeding should be comfortable and painless. Your baby changes rhythm whilst sucking and pauses during feeds, starts feeding again without prompting, and comes off the breast spontaneously when he’s finished. If your baby is showing these signs, then it is very unlikely that you are underfeeding him.

To aid your lactation, you can use the safe and natural Breast Care Gel from Pigeon for massaging your breasts, which have the added effect of keeping your nipples supple. Pigeon 16601 Breast Care Gel helps to protect and prevent your nipples from becoming dry and tender, and it contains specially formulated natural plant oils which help to protect and nourish even the most sensitive of skins. After your breastfeeding session, apply the Pigeon 16601 Breast Care Gel to restore the natural elasticity and skin tone of your breasts. It is also suitable for use on arms, legs and body.

One of the hardest things about beginning a breastfeeding relationship is not feeling confident that you are giving your baby enough milk. No doubt you are, but you shouldn’t hesitate, in the early days of breastfeeding, to get reassurance and help from your pediatrician or lactation consultant.

We wish you and your baby many joyful and fun breastfeeding sessions.

Recommended Products:

Pigeon 16601 Breast Care Gel

Author's Bio:
ShopBug.com is a Singapore registered online webstore that sells baby products and ladies fashion. We are a commercial entity but we write posts that remain as neutral as possible, and in the event when we recommend products from our webstore, we'll try to list them separately to keep you aware. We will not be bias in our story just to sell you any products and all posts written by us are as genuine as it can be.

Tags: birth control pill, breastfeed