What should a mother do if experiencing milk supply issues?

If a mother is experiencing milk supply issues, increasing breastfeeding frequency or considering pumping is an effective approach. The principle behind this recommendation lies in the demand-supply relationship of breastfeeding. Milk production operates on a supply-and-demand basis; the more frequently milk is removed from the breast, either through breastfeeding or pumping, the more milk the body is stimulated to produce.

By increasing the frequency of breastfeeding sessions, the mother provides more opportunities for her body to respond and adjust to the demand, which can result in an increase in milk supply over time. Pumping can also be beneficial, especially if the mother is unable to nurse frequently or if she needs to encourage milk production during periods of low supply.

This strategy empowers the mother to actively address her milk supply issue without resorting to drastic measures such as switching to formula feeding immediately, which may inadvertently lead to reduced milk production due to less frequent breast stimulation. It is important for mothers to remember that many milk supply issues can often be resolved through consistent breastfeeding or pumping efforts in collaboration with support from lactation counselors or healthcare providers.