I get it. I’ve been there. It’s exhausting. Your baby is days (weeks, months?) old and all you can think is “oh my gosh, why is he eating again? I can’t have enough milk! That’s it!” So you turn to the internet. There you are bombarded by all sorts of suggestions to help get milk in: Cookies, smoothies, breads, drinks, teas, herbs, the list never ends! AHA! You rush out to the grocery store, stock your cart filled with goodies, and return home knowing this will solve your problems.
The truth is new mom, you don’t need the cookies. I promise. While sure, they taste awesome (because really who doesn't love a cookie!) in most cases your milk supply is just fine. The fact of the matter is babies nurse a lot. They nurse all night long and sometimes all day long too. Sometimes they get fussy at the breast and act like there is no milk there. I can assure you, there probably is. The biggest reason for the fussing is a growth spurt. There is no set time for this to happen, and they happen ALL the time. Look at how much growing your baby is doing in the first year of life! And how much they change! If your baby is a bit older, supply regulation is happening. This doesn't mean you don’t have enough milk, it means your body now is producing exactly what your baby needs. Sometimes they can get a bit frustrated when the milk slows down a bit and they have to work harder, but it’s all totally normal.
If you are struggling with weight gain or not pumping enough at work, find a good IBCLC to work with. You need to figure out the underlying problem. With weight gain often times its a transfer issue, and more milk isn't going to help your baby transfer better. Remember: your pump is not as efficient as your baby. Its normal to pump .5 – 2oz combined when you pump after nursing, and 2 – 4oz combined is normal when you pump at work. Often times the struggles with pumping at work are actually related to overfeeding at daycare or not pumping enough. We can help you find a solution!
So new mom enjoy that cookie, but please know that the best thing you can do for your supply is to nurse frequently and watch your babies ques. The first year of life is exhausting for everyone, but this too shall pass, and in the blink of an eye you will have a toddler running around keeping you on your toes.
