by Courtney Christensen

Created on: January 16, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

The flow of breast milk can make a woman crazy! Is the baby getting enough? How can one tell if milk let-down is occuring? How much milk is being produced? Here are a few practical guidelines to preserve the already fragile sanity of a new mother.

Q: Am I producing milk?

The basic rule of thumb for increasing breast milk production is nursing your baby. The more baby eats, the more milk a mom will produce. Lots of moms after a month or sometimes even a few weeks of breastfeeding will feel as if suddenly their milk production has decreased. Usually, this is just your breasts adjusting to the demand of your baby, so that you aren't full or engorged all day, but there is milk supply readily available for nursing. Don't worry! Stress CAN reduce your milk production. So can dehydration, so drink 10-12 eight ounce glasses of water a day.

Q: Is my baby eating enough?

This question is hard to answer, because unlike bottle fed babies, you can't measure the number of ounces your child is taking at a feeding (unless you are pumping and giving with a bottle, which produces twice the work). Guage your child's wet and dirty diapers (6-8 wet diapers and 1-2 dirty diapers per day), and of course make sure you don't miss well-baby checkups, as your doctor will be weighing baby to make sure he or she is growing. Again, don't be stressed. Hungry babies make themselves heard (except in extreme "failure to thrive" situations that are rare). If your child doesn't get full, he or she will want to keep eating.

When should I wean?

Most doctors and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend breastfeeding for a year to get the FULL benefits. However, as much breast milk as you can give your baby will be better than none. Again, not a reason to stress! Many women go back to work or have other children or demands that require them to wean their child long before the one year mark. Others simply aren't comfortable nursing a child that old or with that many teeth. Ouch! Lots of women nurse a few times a day, such as first thing in the morning and right before bed, and give bottles the rest of the day. Breastfeeding is a customizable process, and the great thing is your body will adapt accordingly. It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

Breastfeeding is a great way to bond with your baby, and is incredibly cost-effective, but the social stigma for and against the nursing process can take away a new mom's joy in a hurry. Bottom line? I've never met an adult who felt slighted one way or the other regarding their mother's decision to breastfeed. It is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. However, more importantly, your child needs a mom who isn't stressed out and can enjoy him or her freely, whether you feed by the breast or with a bottle.

Learn more about this author, Courtney Christensen.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.