In most cases most mothers can make enough milk. Milk supply is based on supply and demand. Some mothers want the baby to be done feeding in 10 minutes-some infants are rapid, voracious eaters and others are slow, little gourmets). Society in the U.S. has taught women and men that breasts are sexual objects and disgusting to expose a breast to feed a child. This is part of the societal brainwashing by media and big business. The stress in life can impact milk supply-mothers working, family life, maternal depression, mothers being subtly told they can’t produce enough milk to feed their infants, misplaced guidance by the health team to supplement because baby ‘s blood sugar is low, not gaining weight quickly enough, easier for pediatricians to not have to listen to mothers’ concerns regarding milk supply. There are some mothers who can’t breastfeed or shouldn’t: drug abusers, medical issues (HIV status, breast cancer, etc.), PCOS, etc. There are Lactation Consultants in the community to help mothers and provide support. Most insurance companies cover the assistance. Pediatricians are taught little about breastfeeding in medical school and so mothers can be given incorrect advise or limited advise. Past and present maternal medical history is important because thyroid issues, past breast surgeries (implants, reduction, biopsies, nipple piercing), etc. may all impact milk supply. Lack of maternal emotional support from partners and family can play a big part in milk supply. Family, with misplaced help “to help mother sleep“ by giving formula, is often the biggest inadvertent sabotage to breastfeeding. The necessity to return to work early is often another one to impact milk supply. Also all breast pumps on the market are not equal, some are very poor. It is advisable to call a Lactation Consultant or do research before selecting a breast pump. Medicaid and insurance companies are required to provide a breast pump to breastfeeding mothers, but that doesn’t mean the one provided is the best; usually mothers are given a choice among 2 or 3. But mothers often just assume insurance is providing the best, when if you have no preference they will send the cheapest one they can provide and meet government requirements.
Plus, there’s a cultural paranoia that their baby is ‘not getting enough’ followed by constant weigh in at drs office. How a baby gets more milk is by nursing extra (all day it seems) for a day or two and then the breasts are signaled to make more milk. It is quite a sophisticated system. It is during this time that doubt and faulty support win to switch to formula and the claims of insufficient milk production begin. The mother is now the victim of treacherous boobies…..
Very true. Mothers think their babies should eat 3 times per day like many adults were taught (“Most important meal is breakfast”, food pyramid with excess starches and grains which can be attributed to leaky gut syndrome, corn syrup in many products,God only knows what is in fast foods)-slight exaggeration. Pediatricians tell mothers to breast feed 10 minutes over breast, not taking into account infant feeding patterns, cluster feeding, stomach size. Pediatricians find it easier to answer formula feeding questions because they are more concrete and less time consuming. Just like doctors are taught pharmaceuticals are good, so has Big Pharma (Merck, Ross Labs, etc.) taught doctors formula is good, advanced, just like mother’s milk.
In most cases most mothers can make enough milk. Milk supply is based on supply and demand. Some mothers want the baby to be done feeding in 10 minutes-some infants are rapid, voracious eaters and others are slow, little gourmets). Society in the U.S. has taught women and men that breasts are sexual objects and disgusting to expose a breast to feed a child. This is part of the societal brainwashing by media and big business. The stress in life can impact milk supply-mothers working, family life, maternal depression, mothers being subtly told they can’t produce enough milk to feed their infants, misplaced guidance by the health team to supplement because baby ‘s blood sugar is low, not gaining weight quickly enough, easier for pediatricians to not have to listen to mothers’ concerns regarding milk supply. There are some mothers who can’t breastfeed or shouldn’t: drug abusers, medical issues (HIV status, breast cancer, etc.), PCOS, etc. There are Lactation Consultants in the community to help mothers and provide support. Most insurance companies cover the assistance. Pediatricians are taught little about breastfeeding in medical school and so mothers can be given incorrect advise or limited advise. Past and present maternal medical history is important because thyroid issues, past breast surgeries (implants, reduction, biopsies, nipple piercing), etc. may all impact milk supply. Lack of maternal emotional support from partners and family can play a big part in milk supply. Family, with misplaced help “to help mother sleep“ by giving formula, is often the biggest inadvertent sabotage to breastfeeding. The necessity to return to work early is often another one to impact milk supply. Also all breast pumps on the market are not equal, some are very poor. It is advisable to call a Lactation Consultant or do research before selecting a breast pump. Medicaid and insurance companies are required to provide a breast pump to breastfeeding mothers, but that doesn’t mean the one provided is the best; usually mothers are given a choice among 2 or 3. But mothers often just assume insurance is providing the best, when if you have no preference they will send the cheapest one they can provide and meet government requirements.
Plus, there’s a cultural paranoia that their baby is ‘not getting enough’ followed by constant weigh in at drs office. How a baby gets more milk is by nursing extra (all day it seems) for a day or two and then the breasts are signaled to make more milk. It is quite a sophisticated system. It is during this time that doubt and faulty support win to switch to formula and the claims of insufficient milk production begin. The mother is now the victim of treacherous boobies…..
Very true. Mothers think their babies should eat 3 times per day like many adults were taught (“Most important meal is breakfast”, food pyramid with excess starches and grains which can be attributed to leaky gut syndrome, corn syrup in many products,God only knows what is in fast foods)-slight exaggeration. Pediatricians tell mothers to breast feed 10 minutes over breast, not taking into account infant feeding patterns, cluster feeding, stomach size. Pediatricians find it easier to answer formula feeding questions because they are more concrete and less time consuming. Just like doctors are taught pharmaceuticals are good, so has Big Pharma (Merck, Ross Labs, etc.) taught doctors formula is good, advanced, just like mother’s milk.