As a breastfeeding mother myself, you always get worried if baby is getting enough to eat. So many moms say that their baby is just “too hungry” and that they couldn’t keep up, so they quit breastfeeding.

Newborns

Labor is hard on mom and baby! So babies are hungry after birth. After a baby is born, it is very important to get them to latch to fed early. Skin to skin contact helps not only the babys’ body temperature regulate, it helps moms’ milk supply. The first milk baby will get is known as colostrum. Colostrum is golden yellow and very low in volume. Babies tummies are very small, so fat content is higher in colostrum. It also has a laxative property to help aide in babies first stool.

Latch is important with the ability to successfully breastfeeding. Nursing should never be painful. (Now I’m not saying your nipples won’t hurt. Nipples having the amount of attention they will get during a nursing relationship will be sore!) But extreme pain should be evaluated. Incorrect latch, lip tie or tongue tie, mastitis, and thrush can all contribute to painful nursing. If you are questioning your childs latch, consult a lactation consultant.

Frequent Nursing

Cluster feeding is VERY common for babies. This helps establish your supply and remember babies tummies are TINY! Due to breastmilk being “the perfect food“, every part of the milk is used and gets digested easily. With such small amounts that baby is eating during the first few months of life, they need to nurse frequently. Plus baby is born with the need to suck, so sometimes babies will nurse just to be close to mom. Growth spurts will also increase feeding sessions.

Now as a new mom, if you think that baby is not getting enough food there are some ways to determine if they are. If baby is gaining weight, having 5-6+ wet diapers a day (once moms milk has come in) and you can hear the baby swallowing during a nursing session, then baby is getting enough food. Another option is to pump and give to baby. (When my son, my first born, was newly breastfeeding I felt like all I did was breastfeed. There were some days I would nurse for what felt like hours! The kid never slept and I just sat and nursed. I would cry because I felt like I was doing something wrong. But that was short lived. Once you figure out the breastfeeding relationship, it gets MUCH MUCH easier!)

How to Increase Supply

If you are truly having supply issues, there are a few things that you can do.

• Latch, which we have talked about a little.
• Nurse frequently and skin to skin.
• Power pump. Pump 15 minutes, rest 15 minutes, pump 15.
• Pump after nursing.
• Drink mothers milk tea
• Drink extra water
• Make oatmeal or lactation cookies
• Get mom and baby ADJUSTED

Chiropractic Can Help

Getting adjusted can help with milk supply! The spinal nerves that supply your breast exit your thoracic spine (upper and mid back). You could be having pain or no pain at all. Lots of times we see women that have pain in their upper back while holding the baby (because who doesn’t want to hold baby?!) and correcting the fixations in turn will help regulate supply.

In turn if mom has been adjusted and milk supply is established, but baby is still not nursing efficiently, its baby’s turn to get adjusted! I suggest all babies get checked by a chiropractor after being born. (Because birthing is HARD on baby!) Typically babies will present with a head tilt or range of motion fixation in their cervical spine (neck). With the needed adjustments (which are all soft tissue derived) babies response super quickly to chiropractic care. (They are SO much easier than adults.)

Chiropractic can help with several different breastfeeding issues. Mastitis, supply issues, baby latching problems and baby having reflux. If you have any questions contact your chiropractor or give one a call!

~Dr. Lacey~
Carder Chiropractic Clinic, INC.
El Reno, OK 73036