Do you get sad while nursing because you think your baby just can’t get enough milk?
You want to stop breastfeeding because you’re constantly being told it might be better?
Maybe you’ve already given a bottle out of desperation, because otherwise your baby would only be hanging on your breasts.
It’s been like this for days or for weeks.
And sometimes your baby gets really angry and pulls at your nipple. You really hope no one sees you nursing – because yes, it hurts as bad as it looks.
Besides, you just feel sorry for your little baby!
When you gave her the bottle, you knew your baby is hungry! Finally, the entire amount was emptied within a few moments and your baby finally fell asleep satisfied and stayed asleep. Does that roughly describe your situation?
That was me with my first daughter, that’s exactly what I did.
You might be wondering how exclusive breastfeeding can work without your nerves becoming completely blank at some point. And you’re wondering how to increase your milk levels so your baby can be happy and grow well.
Since the amount of milk you produce has to adjust to growing needs over the course of breastfeeding, your body is designed to boost it within a very short time.
What does that mean for you?
Take 3 days – just for you, your baby and breastfeeding. Let yourself be taken care of during this time as if it were the first days after the birth. Crawl in bed or curl up on the sofa. And set it up so that you can really enjoy it.
And then you do this:
- Watch out for early nursing signs
The more hungry your baby is, the more difficult it is to latch. Now you have time to notice your baby waking up and the early signs of breastfeeding.The early signs of hunger are really subtle and easily overlooked. That’s why you can now pay special attention to it. Perform a breast massage before latching.
As soon as you notice that your baby is showing hunger, you can start preparing yourself to nurse. Maybe you want to go to the bathroom or get a glass of water. When you’re alone, it’s good if everything you might need is within easy reach.
- A loving breast massage helps, It should last about 30 seconds and makes it easy for your baby to drink from your milk from the very first latch.
This way your baby uses all the time to drink. Especially when your baby is rather tired and sleepy you should definitely massage to make it easy on your baby.
- Make sure latching is correct & painless
When breastfeeding hurts you, it often gets in the way of milk production.
* In the case of pain, the milk is not coming out
* Without correct attachment, milk transfer is reduced and more difficult
* Pain & injuries are a clear sign that vacuuming is not yet working ideally
Nursing is based on instincts but sometimes it can take a little longer for new mamas and the baby to create the vacuum that’s needed.
The good news is if something can be learned, then you can learn it
- Have lots of skin-to-skin contact with your baby
On one hand, skin contact changes your general hormonal situation. It improves your oxytocin balance – exactly what you need to get milk production going. Not only that, but skin contact helps your baby with all her bodily functions. Her pulse calms down and she wastes less energy. I personally love being naked with my baby. It makes us feel so close.
- Nurse frequently
At the beginning it can seem like you’re a milk machine, she’s always latching. But Babies that are growing and gaining weight usually breastfeed about 8-12 times in 24 hours. It’s totally normal.
Once the amount of milk has been regulated to your baby’s needs, you nurse a little less often and it becomes all more natural.
- Switch boobs for milk supply
It is recommended that babies be nursed on each side for as long as possible.
This is based on the knowledge that your milk will become richer in fat as you breastfeed. This is of course particularly valuable for your baby if it is allowed to gain even more weight. If your milk production is already low, it may be that your baby sleeps more on the breast instead of drinking.
With switching the boob, you use the exact moment when your baby is sleepy and no longer feels like sucking. Or your baby is still sucking, but not as hard and you don’t hear him swallowing anymore. Then switch sides and let your baby drink from there as well until it stops swallowing or becomes sleepy.
In the meantime, the first boob has filled up again. If you now switch back, nursing will be easier again. Your nursing will become more effective and your baby will get more and more of the high-fat milk. You just keep changing until your baby is full.
