Is my baby getting enough milk?

The nice thing about breastfeeding is that you don’t need to worry about how much your baby eats. The amount of breastmilk you produce adjusts automatically to meet the needs of your baby. 5 to 8 wet nappies per day with light pee and a slight odour is a good indicator that your baby is getting enough breastmilk. As your baby gets older, your breast milk supply will adjust accordingly. 

How much should my baby grow?

Usually, babies birth weight should double within the first 4-6 months at about 150-200 grams per week. You can weigh your baby at home, even without a baby scale. Simply weigh yourself while holding your baby, then weigh yourself again without holding your baby. The difference is your baby’s weight.  

Does my baby need additional liquid?

No. A baby’s entire fluid requirement is usually covered by the mother’s milk. On very hot days or if your baby is suffering from a fever, diarrhoea or vomiting, continue breastfeeding. Consult a doctor if the symptoms continue. 

Is my breast milk too thin? Will my baby be fully satisfied?

Don’t worry, breast milk cannot be “too thin”. Breast milk contains the exact right amount of nutrients for your baby and is perfectly tailored to her needs. Some mothers worry that their baby is not being fed properly because she falls asleep after feeding and immediately wants to feed again after waking up. This is called cluster feeding, which is normal for new-borns or babies going through a growth spurt. Frequent feedings automatically stimulate the production of milk, so even hungry babies are well looked after.

Does the size of my breast affect the production of milk?

No. The milk production does not depend on the size of your breast, but basically on the number of mammary glands which both small as well as large breasts possess about the same quantity. For large breasts the fat content is mostly higher, but this is not the deciding factor for the lactation. 

How can I stimulate my breast milk production?

Baby’s sucking stimulates milk production, so regular feeding is the best way to increase your supply of milk to meet your baby’s demands. Drinking breast milk is challenging and exhausting for babies, so at the beginning, make sure your baby drinks long enough to stimulate milk production. Make sure your baby feeds from both breasts, so that both sides are stimulated to produce milk.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself! Drink at least 2 litres of fluid a day, preferably water or unsweetened tea. A healthy and balanced diet is also important to provide essential nutrients for you and your child. Stress and tension can affect the flow of milk as well, so make sure you and your baby are getting as much rest as possible and try to avoid rushing. 

How long can I breastfeed?

If you are maintaining a balanced and healthy diet, you can fully breastfeed until about the 8^th month. At this point at the latest, you should start feeding your baby complementary foods in addition to breast milk, to ensure they are getting an adequate supply of nutrients (especially iron). Experts advise that you gradually begin introducing complementary foods with breastfeeding at about 5-6 months. 

How often should I breastfeed my baby? Should I be feeding at certain times?

It was previously believed that you should breastfeed “by the clock.” Today, however, we know that it is better for your baby to breastfeed whenever she is hungry. You will quickly begin learning the signs that your baby is hungry. Your baby will stretch out her tongue, suck on her hand, and become restless. Many babies draw attention to themselves by making smacking sounds. Usually, when you give your baby your finger, she will begin sucking. But if your baby is really hungry, she will protest and continue whining until her hunger is satisfied.

Babies do not grow at a steady pace, but rather in quick sporadic jumps. During these phases of fast growth, babies are constantly learning new things and making new impressions, which requires a lot of energy. It is expected that during these stages your baby will need more food and attention. 

How often should I feed my baby?

Newborns feed frequently and irregularly. Sometimes they will want to be nursed every hour and a half, while other times they will sleep through their “dinner time” and go 6 hours without feeding. It is important to eventually create a rhythm for your baby. 2.5 to 4 hours is the normal amount of time between feedings. If your baby is going through a growth spurt, the length of time between feedings will become much shorter. Do not worry, your body will quickly adapt to the changes in demand for breastmilk. 

How does supplement feeding work?

It is okay if your breastmilk is not enough to keep your baby well fed and fully satisfied. You can supplement with milk formula just after feeding. Suitable for newbors is an infant formula (stage 1 or Pre), which is most similar to breastmilk. Simply breastfeed your baby as you normally would on both breasts. Burp your baby and let her take a break to see if she becomes full. If she begins showing the typical signs of hunger, move her to a comfortable position and feed her the bottle. You do not need to wait until the breastmilk has left her stomach before supplementing with formula. 

What should I eat while I’m breastfeeding?

While breastfeeding, you litterally nourish your baby through your own body. Of course this increases your own needs for energy and nutrients. It is important to eat a full and balanced diet for both your own health and for your baby’s development.

A woman who is fully breastfeeding is recommended to eat 530-630 more calories per day in addition to the normal daily 2,000. If you are only partially breastfeeding, you should reduce the recommended additional calories accordingly. Of course, these recommended daily calories are averages. You can adjust your diet to best suit your own personal needs. If you are maintaining your weight or slowly losing weight, you are eating the correct amount.

You should eat nutrient-dense foods in order to meet your individual need and the needs of your baby. Nutrient-dense foods include vegetables, fresh fruits, dairy products, lean meats, and whole grains. Eating fish once or twice a week is also highly recommended.

You should keep an eye on your supply of folic acid, iron, calcium, and iodine. Although there are supplements that can help you meet your increased nutrient requirement, they should not replace a balanced diet.

During breastfeeding, you can lose up to one litre of fluid per day. To compensate, you should increase your daily fluid intake to at least 2 litres a day. The most useful liquids are still water, mild mineral water, and unsweetened herbal or fruit teas (but stay away from sage and peppermint, as they may inhibit lactation). There is no proven scientific benefit of drinking teas advertised specifically for breastfeeding, but they might bring a welcome diversity to your drinks. When drinking fruit juices, try to choose low-acid options and dilute it with water. Two to three cups of coffee or black / green tea are fine, but try to drink them after breastfeeding. Also keep in mind the caffeine content of cola, energy drinks, and iced tea!

What foods should I avoid?

It is commonly said that nursing mothers should refrain from eating certain foods to prevent flatulence in babies. The most common foods nursing mothers are told to avoid are citruses and vegetables that often produce gas, such as cabbage, onions, garlic, or legumes. However, scientific studies have found that children simply react differently to different foods. Find out what your baby tolerates well or poorly by eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. Once you discover what foods upset your baby’s stomach, simply cut those foods from your diet.

Poisons such as alcohol and cigarettes will harm your baby and should of course be avoided. 

I have a cold, should I continue breastfeeding my baby?

Once our body begins to show the first symptoms of a disease, such as a cold or a gastrointestinal infection, we have already been carrying the pathogen in us for a while. This means that your baby has already been exposed to the pathogen. Further breastfeeding is now her best protection from becoming ill herself, because she will receive the antibodies that your body produces through your breastmilk.

Even if you have a fever, you can initially continue breastfeeding. A rule of thumb is that you should only take a break from breastfeeding if you have a fever of 39 °C or more. Listen to your body. If in doubt, ask your doctor for advice. Your doctor may be able to prescribe medications that are safe for you and your baby.

Dieting while breastfeeding?

Although you may still have some leftover baby weight, radical diets during nursing are not recommended. Harmful substance that our bodies accumulate over time are stored in our fat cells. If you burn off these fat cells too quickly (more than 500 g per month), pollutants can be released in large quantities and pass through your bloodstream into your breast milk. So better don’t starve. You can usually lose weight through breastfeeding if your caloric intake is at the level that was normal for you before pregnancy.