It was an easy way to remember to drink enough, and I pass that tip along to my patients. When my children were babies, a friend told me to drink a glass of water every time I nursed. I encourage women to carry a bottle of water for themselves in their diaper bag. The amount of liquid you put into your body affects how much breast milk you can produce. Consider eating a healthy snack, such as an apple with nut butter, between meals to close the calorie gap.Īdequate hydration also is important for breast milk production. It can be tempting to diet after giving birth to lose “baby weight.” Make sure to eat enough to replenish the 500 calories breastfeeding burns each day. Related reading: 5 things to know about buying and using breast pumps 3. These pumps can fit discreetly under work clothes and offer a moderate suction level for pumping on the go. Battery-powered, they use integrated cups that fit inside a bra and attach to breast milk containers through small tubes. Hands-free wearable breast pumps are a relatively new option. Breast milk keeps well in the freezer, so pump at work if you can and store it for later use.īreast pumps come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from large electric pumps to smaller handheld options. Pumping tells the body to continue producing, even if the baby isn’t eating at that moment. You can counteract this by pumping at regular feeding intervals throughout the day. Consequently, your supply will begin to decrease. However, supplementing with formula for multiple feedings every day (such as while the baby is at daycare) or releasing breast milk only when the baby wants to nurse tells your body that it doesn’t need to produce as much milk. Exclusively breastfeeding drives higher demand, so the breasts create more milk. Supplementing with formulaĪfter your baby is born, the breasts operate on supply and demand. They cannot breastfeed a baby, but they can help with cooking, laundry, household chores, and running errands. While many new moms want to do everything themselves, I encourage you to seek and accept help from your partner, family members, and friends so you can rest, recover, and maintain an adequate milk supply for your baby. If you or a loved one notice that you’re having symptoms of stress, anxiety, or postpartum depression, it’s important to connect with your health care provider and get adequate care. I tell all my patients that while breastfeeding is important, mental health is key to properly caring for a baby. Adding the supply chain issues and reduced manufacturing of formula can take its toll on a woman’s stress and anxiety levels. The last few years living through the COVID-19 pandemic have certainly increased anxiety for many pregnant women and families with young children. I’ve seen women who, within 24 hours, have gone from having an ample milk supply to literally none due to stress. Between lack of sleep and adjusting to the baby’s schedule, rising levels of certain hormones such as cortisol can dramatically reduce your milk supply. 1 killer of breastmilk supply, especially in the first few weeks after delivery. Some are not within her control, but some can be managed with extra planning and support from friends and family. The amount of breast milk a woman can produce after childbirth depends on a variety of factors. But switching to exclusive breastfeeding – or increasing your supply – is not as easy as flipping a switch. The surprising formula shortage has naturally increased the focus on breastfeeding as a nutritious and economical option for many families. Under the consent decree, Abbott agreed to meet certain benchmarks required by the FDA and ensure its facility met all safety guidelines. On May 16, the FDA and the baby formula manufacturer agreed to a deal that would reopen its Michigan plant, but it could be six to eight weeks before parents will begin to find the products such as Similac back on store shelves. Breast milk banks such as Mothers Milk Bank of North Texas can potentially bridge feeding gaps for some families with newborns. Department of Health & Human Services has issued a resource list, with guidance to help families in the wake of the shortage. By early May, about 40% of formulas were out of stock, with more than half sold out in Texas and five other states, according to news reports. was shut down amid an FDA investigation and recall due to reports of bacterial contamination at its Michigan plant. In February 2022, the largest producer of infant formula in the U.S.
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