Where’s My Milk
No matter if your nursling is 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, or a toddler, breastfeeding moms often have a niggling worry about their milk supply.
For newborns and infants, an easy way to tell if they are getting enough is by measuring output. They should be having 6 to 8 wet cloth diapers — or 5 to 6 wet disposable diapers — as well as several bowel movements a day. They should also be nursing 8-12 times within a 24 hour period.
If this is not the case, moms should see a lactation consultant or a doctor. In some cases, supplementation will be necessary. Moms can work on building up milk supply while continuing to nurse.
Sometimes, we worry that because we cannot hand express or pump milk from our breasts, we don’t have any. In reality, our babies are much more effective at getting milk from our breasts than any artificial method. Some women are lucky if they can express an ounce, yet their babies are perfectly capable of getting lots of milk.
When babies reach aound 3 or 4 months of age, mothers’ breasts tend to become softer, which also leads to concern about milk supply. It is normal for the breast to become softer as time goes on, and is not necessarily a sign that there is a problem.
For older babies, it is important to remember to nurse before feeding them solids, as breastmilk should continue to be the primary source of nutrition from 6-12 months of age. Mothers will notice a drop in milk supply if their children are eating a lot of solids, and should make an effort to keep nursing frequently, as breastmilk often contains more calories per ounce than a child would get from solid food.
Toddlers usually begin eating more after a year, and will nurse often enough to maintain your milk supply. If you are getting pregnant, your milk supply will decrease dramatically, but for an older nursling, this is not the concern it would be if you were nursing a baby.