Around the eighth week of breastfeeding, it might seem like your milk supply is low. Don’t worry! There is still milk, but the way it's produced has changed.
What does a change in milk supply mean?
During the first six to eight weeks, you experienced the let-down reflex, feeling your breasts fill up throughout the day and sometimes leaking if you didn’t nurse immediately. Many mothers use nursing pads during this time.
Now, you and your baby have synchronized, and milk is produced in response to sucking rather than at unpredictable moments [1]. This is convenient and will likely save you from needing nursing pads, but it takes some time to get used to.
What if milk isn’t produced right away or there's not enough?
It’s important to know that milk production doesn’t start immediately—it begins about a minute after the baby starts sucking [1]. For a baby, a minute can feel like a long time, especially when they used to have milk pouring into their mouths.
Often, when a baby cries, moms worry there’s no milk. But don't worry! If your baby continues to pee and poop and isn’t losing weight, there’s enough milk [2].
Keep nursing on demand. After a few days, your baby will adjust to the new routine.
Should I bottle-feed just in case?
Many mothers, between 25% to 70%, try bottle feeding at this time. However, it can make it harder to return to exclusive breastfeeding [2]. Breastfeeding works because milk is produced in response to sucking.
If you offer a bottle, your breasts won’t get the stimulation they need, and milk production may decrease. If this happens, you might need the support of a lactation consultant to continue breastfeeding.
Is there a way to increase milk supply?
Usually, there's no need to. By the end of the second month, many moms feel more tired and stressed, which makes them worry more about milk supply.
This often leads to the mistaken belief that there's not enough milk [3].
Photo: shutterstock
