I Don't Make Enough Milk
First, if you think you do not produce enough milk for your child, please reference these sources. If you have been told this by a pediatrician, please note they receive ZERO breastfeeding education! Also consider tongue or lip ties may be to blame if baby is not gaining much.
- Seek out an IBCLC or Certified Lactation Consultant. They ARE educated in how the body works to produce breastmilk and will better be able to help you towards your breastfeeding goals.
- Make sure you are using the WHO growth charts for your child since they are based off the breastfeeding child. There are charts for boys and girls, so use the correct chart for your child. You will want to track that your child is growing on their individual growth curve.
BOYS, birth to 6 months: http://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/cht_wfa_boys_p_0_6.pdf
GIRLS, birth to 6 months: http://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/cht_wfa_girls_p_0_6.pdf - Newborn growth information for the breastfed baby: http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/enough-milk/
- 6+ weeks growth information for the breastfed baby: http://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/enoughmilk-older/
- Average weight gain for breastfed baby: http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/weight-gain/
- How milk production works: http://kellymom.com/hot-topics/milkproduction/
- Increasing low milk supply: http://kellymom.com/hot-topics/low-supply/
- Increasing milk supply: https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-eating/breastfeeding/faqs/increasing-milk-supply
- Power pumping: http://www.lowmilksupply.org/powerpumping.shtml
- Checking for Ties: https://www.mommypotamus.com/a-step-by-step-guide-to-diagnosing-tongue-ties/
Not currently nursing? Relactation is an Option!
Getting milk production back after a period of not nursing is very possible for most women. It can take around a month to be producing enough for your child. If this is something you are interested in check out the links below. If baby will latch, start supplementing at the breast using a Supplemental Nursing System. This will help your body start to produce milk again. If baby will not latch, use a pump to build your milk production and then you can work to get baby back to breast.
- How milk production works: http://kellymom.com/hot-topics/milkproduction/
- Supplemental Nursing System: http://www.lowmilksupply.org/abs.shtml
- Back to Breastfeeding: http://kellymom.com/ages/newborn/nb-challenges/back-to-breast/
- Relactation: http://theleakyboob.com/2011/12/your-guide-to-relactation/
- Relactation: http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/relactation/
- Relactation: https://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/articles/relactation-and-adoptive-nursing
Donated Breastmilk!
Consider finding a breastmilk donor for your baby if the above options will not work for you. Local breastfeeding groups or natural parenting groups are your best option for full time donors. These are the mothers who will be providing milk for your baby on a regular/weekly basis. It would be ideal to find a mother whose baby is the same age or a little older than your baby so the nutritional needs are similar to your child. You can also find one time milk donations through sites such as Eats on Feets or Human Milk 4 Human Babies. Both of these have individual pages here on Facebook for all of the U.S. States, and most of the Canadian Provinces. When looking for a donor, only make 'transactions' that feel right to you. They should NOT charge you for the milk! You should consider offering replacement breastmilk storage bags for the ones they used for the milk they give you. Ask any and all questions you need to so you are comfortable receiving milk from someone you don't know. In general, someone taking their time to pump milk to donate will not have ill intentions. Reference the link for questions to ask potential donors:- Questions to ask Donors: http://www.eatsonfeetsresources.org/?page_id=97
- How much to give baby: http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/milkcalc
- Paced Bottle Feeding: https://www.mamanatural.com/paced-bottle-feeding/
This would be the next option under donated breastmilk. If breastmilk donors are hard to find, this would be a great alternative. Raw Goats Milk is the closest to human's milk in terms of nutrition for infants. It is also easier on the stomach and easier for babies to digest. Babies with dairy allergies or sensitivities are often able to digest Goats milk with no issues. There are many recipes online. We recommend the Weston A. Price recipes for Infant Formula, linked below:
- Formula Recipes: https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/childrens-health/formula-homemade-baby-formula/
- Goats milk vs Cows milk: https://www.mtcapra.com/benefits-of-goat-milk-vs-cow-milk/
- Human/Cows/Goat milk comparison: http://www.nutritionmd.org/nutrition_tips/nutrition_tips_infant_nutrition/breastfeeding_milks.html
- FAQ on Goats Milk Formula: http://www.mtcapra.com/goat-milk-infant-formula-frequently-asked-questions/
Organic Formula
Its probably best to avoid Similac and Gerber formula's, organic or otherwise, but if you are unable to find other options, those will do in a pinch. Options to research: Natures Only, Holle, HIPP Organic Formula, Baby's Only Organic Formula, Earths Best. Some offer organic versions for sensitive babies. Before choosing an organic formula, read the links below. Not all organic formula's are created equal, you will want to get what you are paying for! The UK formula's are held to a higher standard (Holle and HIPP) than the U.S. formula's so look into those first, if you can. Those often have to be bought online and you will want to leave enough time for it to be shipped from the country you purchase from.
- https://foodbabe.com/2013/05/28/how-to-find-the-safest-organic-infant-formula/
- On the UK formulas: http://gimmethegoodstuff.org/hipp-versus-holle-which-european-infant-formula-is-healthier/
- Reference chart for Organic formula and add ins: https://www.cornucopia.org/dha-guide/
Non-GMO
Last on the list would be a Non-GMO formula for your child. We would encourage finding something from the above recommendations before going to this option. With some research you may be able to find a non-GMO formula.
- https://www.cornucopia.org/2012/02/spinning-suspect-ingredients-in-baby-formula/?gclid=CNDc0O-6-LYCFYx_QgodlQMAZw
CAUTION with Soy Formula
Those who have dairy sensitivities, please review the Homemade Formula section since Goats milk is often not an issue for babies who are dairy sensitive. Also definitely consider donor milk, you can post looking for a dairy free milk donor. Soy is often a GMO crop so this is another thing to be aware of if considering Soy Formula. It may be best to avoid all Soy products for children, read more at this link:
- https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/soy-alert/why-babies-should-not-be-fed-soy/
- More on Soy Formula: http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/why-soy-formula-even-organic-is-so-dangerous-for-babies/
