How to ensure an adequate supply of breast milk during breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is a vital practice for the nourishment and healthy development of an infant. Ensuring an adequate supply of breast milk is important for many nursing mothers

To ensure an adequate supply of breast milk, it’s important to breastfeed frequently, about 8 to 12 times per day, and ensure proper latching. Staying hydrated and eating a well-balanced diet can also support milk production. Rest and stress reduction are crucial, as fatigue and anxiety can decrease supply. 

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in its 2024 dietary guidelines, provides comprehensive dietary guidelines for ensuring an adequate supply of breast milk. Here are some essential practices and tips to support breastfeeding mothers:

On-Demand Feeding and Frequent Suckling

On-demand feeding means that a mother should breastfeed her baby whenever the baby shows signs of hunger, rather than on a strict schedule. This frequent feeding stimulates the mother’s body to produce more milk. Each time a baby suckles at the breast, it sends signals to the brain to release hormones that stimulate milk production. This natural feedback mechanism helps ensure that the supply of breast milk meets the baby’s needs.

Frequent suckling also ensures that the baby is receiving enough milk to grow and thrive. One of the best indicators of adequate milk supply is the baby’s growth. Regular weight gain and reaching developmental milestones suggest that the baby is getting enough breast milk.

Emotional Preparation and Well-Balanced Diet

Emotional preparation during pregnancy involves a positive mindset and readiness to embrace the breastfeeding journey. This includes educating oneself about breastfeeding techniques and understanding the benefits of breastfeeding.

A well-balanced diet is crucial for the health of both the mother and the baby. During breastfeeding, a mother’s nutritional needs increase to support milk production. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats provides essential nutrients that help maintain energy levels and milk quality. Adequate hydration is also vital, as it directly impacts milk production. Mothers should aim to drink plenty of fluids, primarily water, throughout the day.

Avoiding anxiety and emotional disturbances is critical for successful breastfeeding. Stress and anxiety can negatively affect milk supply by disrupting the hormonal balance necessary for milk production. Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and gentle exercise can help manage stress levels. Ensuring adequate rest is also important, as fatigue can impact both milk production and the mother’s overall well-being.

Proper Feeding Skills and Positioning

Proper feeding skills and positioning are essential for effective breastfeeding. Correct positioning and latching ensure that the baby can efficiently extract milk from the breast, which in turn stimulates the mother's milk production. Here are some key aspects to consider:

Holding the Baby: The mother should hold the baby close, with the baby's whole body facing her. This alignment helps the baby latch properly and feed more effectively.

Positioning: There are several breastfeeding positions that a mother can try to find what works best for her and the baby. Common positions include the cradle hold, cross-cradle hold, football hold, and side-lying position.

Supporting the Breast: The mother can support her breast with her hand to guide the nipple into the baby's mouth. This support can help the baby latch on more easily and maintain a good latch throughout the feeding session.

Comfort for the mother: Ensuring that the mother is comfortable is also important. Using pillows for support and finding a relaxed seating position can prevent strain and discomfort during breastfeeding sessions.

Importance of Frequent Suckling and Complete Emptying

Frequent suckling and ensuring that one breast is fully emptied before offering the second one are critical practices for several reasons:

Optimal Nutrient Intake: Breast milk changes in composition during a feeding session. The initial milk, or foremilk, is thinner and quenches the baby's thirst. As the feeding progresses, the milk transitions to hind milk, which is richer in fat and calories. Allowing the baby to completely empty one breast ensures that they receive the full spectrum of nutrients, particularly the higher fat content of the hind milk, which is essential for healthy weight gain and development.

Sustaining Milk Production: The process of emptying the breast signals the mother's body to produce more milk. This demand-driven supply mechanism helps maintain an adequate milk supply. If the baby only partially empties the breast, it can lead to decreased milk production over time.

Feeding Efficiency: When a baby is allowed to fully empty one breast before switching to the other, they can feed more efficiently and effectively.

Expressing and Storing Breast Milk

Expressing breast milk provides flexibility for mothers, particularly those who are working or have other commitments. Here are some key points to consider:

Hygienic Expression: It is crucial to maintain hygiene while expressing milk to prevent contamination. Mothers should wash their hands thoroughly before expressing milk and use clean, sterilized equipment. This can include breast pumps, storage bottles, and any other utensils used in the process.

Methods of Expression: Breast milk can be expressed manually by hand or with the use of a breast pump. Manual expression involves massaging and compressing the breast to release milk. Breast pumps can be manual or electric, and they help extract milk more efficiently and comfortably.

Storing Expressed Milk: Once expressed, breast milk should be stored in clean, sterilized containers. For short-term storage, expressed milk can be kept at room temperature and fed to the infant within a few minutes. For longer storage, it should be refrigerated.

Refrigeration Guidelines: Breast milk can be safely stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of 2–4°C for up to 8 hours. It is important to label the storage containers with the date and time of expression to keep track of freshness.

Feeding Expressed Milk: When it is time to feed the baby, the expressed milk can be brought to room temperature. It is important not to use a microwave for warming breast milk, as it can degrade some of the milk's beneficial components.

Benefits for Working Mothers: For working mothers, expressing and storing breast milk ensures that their baby continues to receive the benefits of breast milk even when they are not physically present. This practice allows mothers to maintain their milk supply and continue breastfeeding for as long as they wish.

These guidelines underscore the importance of regular feeding, emotional well-being, and proper breastfeeding techniques to ensure an adequate milk supply. Following these recommendations can help mothers provide the best nutrition for their infants, ensuring their healthy growth and development.