What to do if breast milk is not enough for five months

Generally, you can stop breastfeeding when the child is seven or eight months old. Stopping breastfeeding and giving complementary food to the child too early will have a certain impact on the baby's physical health. A five-month-old baby is still in the development stage. If there is not enough breast milk at this time, it may be related to the body's hormones. There are many reasons for the lack of milk, and you need to choose the appropriate treatment method based on your individual physical condition.

What is insufficient milk supply?

Generally, after a woman gives birth, the placenta is expelled, the secretion of estrogen decreases sharply, while the secretion of prolactin increases. Coupled with the stimulation of the baby sucking on the nipple, milk is produced continuously for the newborn to suck. The breasts will naturally secrete milk. If it is not enough to meet the baby's absorption, it is called insufficient milk.

Causes of insufficient milk supply

1. The mother breastfeeds too infrequently: Not breastfeeding for a long time or extending the interval between breastfeedings is not only not conducive to the secretion of milk, but also leads to insufficient milk.

2. Improper feeding: The newborn does not suck the breast soon after birth, nor is breastfed on demand; the mother and baby are separated, and the use of bottles for feeding causes "nipple illusion", which makes the newborn unwilling to suck breast milk; the mother is unwilling to let the newborn suck because of nipple pain, etc., all of which can lead to insufficient milk.

3. The baby does not suck enough: The number of breastfeeding times and the sucking time every 24 hours are not enough, so that the baby can suck on both breasts for 5-10 minutes. If a baby falls asleep while feeding, you should pat his cheeks gently to wake him up.

4. Inappropriate addition of complementary foods: Some mothers feed their babies milk and sugar water due to low milk secretion, which leads to a decrease in breast milk due to insufficient sucking.

5. Incorrect sucking posture of the baby: This may result in the baby not being able to suck milk, and thus failing to stimulate the lactation reflex. >>Correct breastfeeding posture

6. The mother lacks confidence and enthusiasm: At this time, psychological support should be given and the correct feeding method should be informed. Such problems can often be avoided if mother and baby are roomed in together as soon as possible after delivery.

7. Malnutrition and poor rest of the mother: This will be detrimental to the lactation reflex and will also affect the quality of milk.

8. Poor oral motor function of the baby: Facial defects can also interfere with breastfeeding and affect milk secretion. At this time, you can use milking or a breast pump to feed.

9. Maternal breast hypoplasia: Breast hypoplasia, breast surgery, inverted nipples, repeated pregnancy, and maternal hypothyroidism can all reduce milk secretion.

10. Illness, taking medications that affect milk secretion, placenta residue, etc. can all lead to insufficient milk.