I am beginning to emerge from my very warm, very loving mother cave and wanted to share a few things that I’ve learned in the last few months.
Not all moms produce just the right amount of milk for their baby. While most do, some women make more milk than they need and some not enough. At the play group, we talk about it and it seems that most moms make the right amount but that there are always a few over producers and a few under producers.
It seems that low producing moms all agree that having a good hospital grade pump (ex: Medella’s Symphony 2.0), sleeping with baby at night and milk augmenting herbs are all great tools for increasing milk production.
I wanted to talk a little about moms helping moms. If you make a lot of milk, consider donating to low producing moms (or mothers of adopted babies), and if you don’t make enough milk (in spite of your best efforts) consider alternatives to formula like milk banks and milk sharing.
Milk banks are an incredibly valuable resource. However the cost of milk (around $4/oz I’ve found) can be quite expensive. Insurance, if it pays at all, will only pay in the case of a very short list of medical conditions
Mother’s Milk Bank Austin
Mother’s Milk Bank of North Texas
Milk sharing is a far more efficient, far more environmentally friendly, and a far less costly means of obtaining human milk for your baby. It can be harder to set up though; some communities have milk share groups or message boards, but most milk sharing happens informally among friends.
I can help you maximize breast milk production. Your body is very smart. There is no milk better for your baby than your own milk. I want to help you make the most milk you can for you child. Schedule an appointment to find out what you can do to increase your supply weather you have had a breast reduction, have gone back to work, or are pregnant and want to continue nursing your other baby. If you are currently taking medications that are not compatible with breast feeding, there may be natural solutions that don’t interfere with your ability to make safe milk for your baby. I hope to hear from you soon.
