Within one hour after giving birth, mothers should start breastfeeding their babies to achieve the optimum growth, development, and protection. However, not all mothers have breastmilk coming in hours and days after giving birth. There are also mothers who have difficulty keeping up their breastmilk supply with the recommended breastfeeding duration which is two (2) years of age and beyond. Low breastmilk supply can be prevented through healthy diet and lifestyle, proper breastfeeding management, maintaining a good physical and emotional state, and living in a supportive environment.

During the early days after giving birth, mothers may feel that they are not producing enough milk. Mothers need to understand that their bodies produce milk according to  what their babies need. Almost all mothers can produce enough milk as long as they feed the baby as often as needed. To know whether your baby is getting enough milk, observe signs of dehydration, weight loss and if your baby is producing less than six (6) to eight (8) wet/dirty diapers or if the poop does not change from black to greenish-yellow color. But then, what could be the possible reasons for the decrease in the milk supply? It could be due to late onset of lactation, improper and poor latching, childbirth complications and medications, smoking and drinking of alcohol, and mixed feeding with formula milk.

Therefore, what can we do to increase the breast milk production?

Be physically and emotionally prepared to feed the baby. Breastfeeding is physically demanding. Babies should be fed at least eight (8) times or more in 24 hours. It is also exhausting emotionally due to the pain and tiredness that lactating mothers feel as they breastfeed. Sufficient rest is needed for the body to cope and release hormones that promote milk production. It is also important for mothers to be emotionally ready to overcome the stress and changes that might occur once they give birth. One must breastfeed wholeheartedly and happily to stimulate milk production and completely bond with their newborn.

Practice proper breastfeeding management. The ultimate key to increasing the milk supply is frequent latching and emptying of breasts. The more milk is removed in the breasts, the more milk will be produced – taking on the process of supply and demand. Lactating mothers should ensure that babies are latching properly and is actively suckling. Sleepy babies can be wakened up to encourage them to feed. Hand expressing and breast compression can also ease milk production and stimulate the body to produce more milk. It is also important to offer both breasts to increase milk supply.

Eat nutritious, well-balanced meals and have a healthy lifestyle. Even after giving birth, mothers remain to be the sole and best source of food and nutrition for infants. As much as we encourage pregnant mothers to eat healthily, lactating mothers must do the same. An additional 500 kilocalories (kcal) are recommended in the diet with wide array of foods and balanced nutrients. The Pinggang Pinoy for lactating mothers can serve as a guide in achieving a healthy meal. Choose whole grains (e.g. brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat bread), animal-based protein foods (lean meat, egg, fatty fish), various fruits and vegetables (green, leafy vegetables) and drink 10 or more glasses of water throughout the day. Do not smoke and drink alcohol as these can significantly decrease breastmilk supply. Exercise regularly since exercise can be a stress-reliever as it releases muscle tension to produce happy hormones that lift the mood of mothers, thus stimulating milk production.

No one food can completely boost the breastmilk supply of mothers. Breasts must be emptied frequently to encourage the body to produce more milk.

Living in a supportive environment. Breastfeeding is a natural but learned act. No mother knows everything about breastfeeding as soon as they give birth. Breastfeeding consultants and health care professionals must be available to offer the right information about breastfeeding. Having a close family member, friend, or other means of social support to help them in overcoming problems they may encounter in breastfeeding is a big help in making their breastfeeding journey a success. Husbands and family members also play an important role in breastfeeding. Sharing the responsibility with household chores and encouragement to breastfeed can help mothers to have more rest, recuperate and have a positive outlook in feeding their children.

In line with the World Breastfeeding Week theme “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility”, the Department of Health leads the National Breastfeeding Awareness Month (NBAM) with the theme, “Tulong tulong sa Pagpapasuso sa First 1000 Days”.  This year’s NBAM encourages collaborative effort and interventions to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding during the first 1000 days which is a critical period of growth and development.

RA 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Act of 2009 provides for the establishment of lactation stations in workplaces and the provision of breastfeeding breaks for working breastfeeding mothers to freely express milk during working hours to keep up the milk production.

The Unang Yakap protocol also serves as a gold standard in postpartum care through the immediate skin-to-skin contact that helps produce hormones involved in milk production. Non-separation of mothers and newborns is significant for early initiation of breastfeeding.

All the interventions mentioned above help increase the breastmilk supply of the mother. Low milk supply can be easily prevented or corrected with the right information and support from family, health care worker, and peer support groups.

Remember, if milk removal does not happen, milk production will start to shut down. The more often a mother breastfeeds, the more milk her breasts will make.

Written by:
Nutrition Officer I Jessica Ross P. Fernandez and
Nutrition Program Coordinator Milagros Elisa V. Federizo

References:

• Increasing your breast milk supply (https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/increasing-your-breast-milk-supply)
• No Breast Milk After Delivery (https://breastfeeding.support/no-breast-milk-after-delivery/)
• Reasons for Low Milk Supply (https://breastfeeding.support/reasons-low-milk-supply/)
• What are the signs your milk supply is decreasing? (https://www.healthline.com/health/breastfeeding/signs-your-milk-supply-is-decreasing)
• Pinggang Pinoy Pregnant and Lactating Women PDF
• Department Circular No. 2021-0297 PDF