Rules of engagement—This post is about PERCEIVED low supply. Some moms do experience actual low milk supply due to hormonal or other factors. This is not meant to minimize the lived experiences of those moms.
Also, keep in mind that the mechanism that sabotages the breastfeeding journey is not the perception itself but what you do about it…if you believe you don’t have enough you are MORE LIKELY to supplement and that is what leads to an eventual ACTUAL decline in production.
Here’s what happens—
1. Beliefs and expectations from the start (babies need to eat large amounts and then sleep for 3-4 hours, etc). These are often misconceptions but this is not your fault… there’s lots of reasons why this gets ingrained in our minds.
2. Observable facts once your baby is born (newborn baby feeding every hour and never wanting to be put down, only pumping 1/2 ounce on day 2, etc). These manifest quickly into fears, doubts, and worries. Moms feel they have one job once baby arrives and that is to feed them. When this doesn’t look like you expected or believed it would, the worry sets in.
3. Decision time… It’s what you do 👉🏽HERE👈🏽 that makes the difference— do you succumb to your beliefs which are now worries coupled with exhaustion, and supplement with formula? If so, do you begin a pumping routine to protect your milk production or do you sleep?
Do you ask for a qualified lactation professional to walk you through a plan or to reassure you that what you’re experiencing is normal?
Either way, THIS is the make or break moment. Don’t wait to get help if you end up here and aren’t sure what to do. There’s no shame in perceived low supply and there’s tons of reasons why it is so prevalent. 💙