Milk Production & How it Works
Have you ever asked yourself questions like:
What causes low milk production?
What are some ways to overcome low supply?
What happens if my lactation consultant tells me to triple feed but I’m exhausted?
What should I do if my village tells me to just stop?
I’m obsessing over this, how do I know when I should seek mental help?
We’re thrilled to have guest contributor, Carly, of Milk Haus Lactation to answer some commonly asked breastfeeding questions.
How does Milk Production work?
Milk production is broken down into 4 stages:
The first stage happens when you get pregnant.
A woman starts to produce colostrum at 16 weeks gestation. The thought many women have is “I do not have enough milk for my baby at birth.” Most of the time this is not the case. Many, if not most, women have all the milk they need for their babies.
The second stage happens when the placenta is delivered.
The delivery of the placenta is what triggers a massive drop in estrogen and progesterone. This rapid drop is what signals milk production WITH nipple and breast stimulation. Unfortunately just because we deliver the placenta does not mean milk production will just happen. This is a voluntary act and we must stimulate the breast between 8-12 times in 24 hours. This stage only lasts 9 days and it is crucial for the mother to get adequate breast stimulation for overall long term milk supply for their baby. The lack of stimulation due to formula feeding, lack of skin to skin, NICU admissions, infrequent pumping is a main culprit for mother’s low milk supply.
The third stage is from day 9 postpartum to when the mother and baby wean.
This stage is all about supply and demand. Milk that is removed from the breast is milk that is made again. If a mother wants to increase her milk supply then she must look at her demand. Is her baby moving milk effectively at the breast? Is her pump removing milk well? Is she skipping feeds or pump sessions? Milk supplies are very sensitive to lack of milk removal but there are certain things we can do to help increase milk supply.
The fourth and final stage is weaning.
It takes up to 40 days to completely wean. There are more natural ways to wean or a mother can have more interventions in her weaning process.
Feeding our babies is highly emotional and can be a massive cause of postpartum depression and anxiety.
Milk supplies can make us feel like the best mother in the world and they can also make us feel like we are not enough for our babies.
These are the things we tell ourselves as mothers and they simply are not true but they feel very real in that moment.
Lactation consultants are so key in your journey in feeding your baby. Sometimes you need someone in your corner cheering you on and helping you along the way.
Just know you are not alone and there are so many ways you can get the feeding journey you always wanted. Most of the time your insurance can even cover your lactation consults.
If you are triple feeding and feel like you cannot continue down that hard path or are struggling with low milk supply and do not know how to increase it, it might be time to reach out and get some one on one help!
The Momma Behind Milk Haus
“Thanks to spending my firstborn’s entire newborn phase freaking out over feeding her, I got interested in lactation and ALL that it entails.
And let me tell you, WOW, I had no idea each baby could have their own unique experience. Once my second came along I knew I needed to be in trenches with mothers as they learned how to feed their babies.
All three of my children have taught me the realities of breastfeeding and how DIFFICULT it can be at times. The first was pump and bottle fed after 12 weeks of “triple feeds”. The second breastfed into the toddler years, and the third has been the most challenging. He had every oral tie possible, breastfeeding aversions, difficulty bottle feeding, over milk supply, low milk supply, and food intolerances.
All my children have prepared me for YOU!”
— Carly
Carly brings 13 years of experience working with parents and babies in the postpartum hospital setting. Her experience includes working with first time breastfeeding mothers, babies with palate anomalies, NICU families, premature babies, and families with multiples. She is confident, and together, can help you reach your feeding goals! Carly sees women both in person & virtual, and accepts most major insurance payors.