Holistic Babies London
When science meets holistic therapies
19. Jan, 2021
Understanding Low Supply & Helping Weight Gain Part 1
This is the first part of the article about Low supply and babies who struggle to gain weight.
I often meet women who struggle with low milk supply which impact their baby's weight gain if they are exclusively breastfeeding.
In this article, I will explore the reasons behind low supply, poor weight gain in the baby and how we can support you in this stressful situation.
The number one culprit: poor position and attachment: (for more detailed info on achieving a good latch, see blog on position and attachment).
The most common reason for low supply is poor positioning and attachment which impacts on the supply/demand.
Often, by improving the latch, the milk transfer will increase day by day.
How can you improve the latch?
The first line of action is to correct the attachment; there is plenty of YouTube videos that exaggerate.
My favourite technique to achieve a deep latch is the asymmetrical latch.
We should keep our hands off when helping you latch your baby, but at times, you may need our guidance. Here is a video of Dr Jack Newman supporting a mother in order to achieve the asymetrical latch:
My baby is very sleepy. What can I do? (see, my baby is very sleepy).
In the early days, babies can be sleepy, here are a few tips to help you with your sleepy baby:
Skin to skin
Give a little milk with a bottle (pace feeding) or syringe feed colostrum in the early days.
Apply breast compressions
Incentivise your baby to feed by pouring milk with a syringe over the breast.
Express and rub the baby's lips with milk.
Offer small volume often
Do not hesitate to top-up with your breastmilk, donor milk or formula.
Nursing System: rather than a bottle, you can ask your breastfeeding professional to discuss using a nursing system (SNS).
Sucking exercises
Note: even though it may be expected that your baby is sleepy in the early days, always discuss with your midwife or doctor. Babies should still arouse to feed.
If at any point in your baby's life, you struggle to wake your baby, seek medical advice immediately.
Positions to help flow:
Your baby may need some help with the flow; here are some other breastfeeding positions that can help:
Dangling feed: Feeding over the baby to use gravity/ she can tip over her baby on her hands and knees to help with flow/ gravity.
Leaning forward cradle: lean forward while your baby is in cradle position to use gravity and help with milk flow.
Maintaining supply:
As milk production occurs due to supply-demand, maintaining milk supply is essential. It means that if there is an issue with your baby's anatomy, such as a tongue-tie or torticollis, you will continue to have milk to feed your baby.
Pumping after each feed + applying breast compressions increases both fat content and amount pump and will stimulate. It is more productive to pump for a shorter time (10-15mins) than a more extended session.
Struggle with expressing milk: HELP!
Some mothers struggle to pump with regular commercial pumps. There might be a few reasons.
2. Commercial pumps: some women struggle with commercial pumps, only managing a small amount of EBM, recommending a hospital grade pump can make all the difference.
1. Psychological: no matter how hard they try, some women have a blockage with the pump => putting the baby at the breast + pumping at the same time can help drawing up milk. => meditation/ mindfulness/ visualisation can also be very powerful!
3. Wrong size flanges (cups that sit at the breast): too small or too big will lead to sore nipple/ inefficient pumping session. The size of the breasts/ flanges should be assessed.
4. Worn out pieces (such as valves): check your valves, they may be old, worn-out or not connected correctly. Check videos from the manufacturer to ensure how to put your breast pump together.
5. Engorged breasts: try hand expressing, reverse pressure or using a manual pump.
Disclaimer: this article is for guidance only, it is not written in the purpose of diagnosing you or your baby. If your baby struggles to breastfeed and is not gaining sufficient weight, a healthcare professional trained in breastfeeding can help you identify the issue. However, your baby must be reviewed by a doctor to ensure there are no underlying medical issues.
If your baby is irresponsive, lethargic, refuses to feed, or if you feel something is not right, seek urgent medical care immediately.
For more information, advice or to book a home visit or telephone call, please email admin@holisticbabies.co.uk
Stephanie is an International Broad Certified Consultant in training. She has completed her 90 hours required breastfeeding theory. She has been supporting breastfeeding women for the past 12 years both in the NHS and the community and breastfed her two children , now 17 and 10 years old. She offers breastfeeding support in London and Surrey.