"It made me feel proud to know that my milk would go to a very deserving child. Having a baby is a miracle and if I could help just one child it would be an honour."
Andrea (breastmilk donor) - Diep River
Dr Alan Horn, Neonatologist
"It felt wonderful to be able to help other moms and babies in the same way that I had been helped. It has been very special to be both a donor and recipient of breastmilk through the milk bank."
Debbie K. (donor and recipient)
"When Milk Matters told me that preemies needed just 50ml a day to survive and I was feeding my son breastmilk all day long, I wanted to help and knew I could."
Helen (breastmilk donor) - University Estate
My baby girl is 6 weeks old and my milk supply seems to be getting less. Is it possible to increase my milk supply?
The good news is that it is possible to increase your milk supply, however, the even better news is that it is unlikely that you need to, as you are probably supplying exactly what your baby needs.
Many women think their milk supply is low and start questioning their ability to provide enough milk for their babies when they no longer feel a strong letdown reflex or their breasts no longer feel full. This is especially true, four to eight weeks after birth. This is a normal and natural sign that your body has adjusted to your baby's feeding requirements.
Your baby's sudden increase in appetite also does not always mean that you are not producing enough milk to satisfy his or her hunger. A baby's active appetite could mean a growth spurt, in which case your supply will increase when your baby feeds more often.
It is seldom true that a mother is unable to produce enough milk for her baby's needs. Most often there is an explanation and remedy for a low milk supply:
1. Your baby may be sleeping for long stretches or you are routine- feeding her. Feed her more often, wake her if necessary should she be sleeping for long stretches.
2. Your baby is not emptying at least one breast per feeding. At any given feed, be sure to keep her on breast for as long as she is willing to keep feeding on that breast, before offering her the other side.
3. If your baby is getting most of his sucking satisfaction from a dummy, she may have little interest in breastfeeding. Avoid using the dummy and breastfeed her whenever he seems to want to suckle.
4. Giving your baby supplementary feeds or starting solids too early would lessen her appetite for breastfeeds and a consequent drop in milk production.
Stop all other feeds and let her breastfeed as often as she wants to.
5. If your baby goes to sleep at night too soon then going six or eight hours without feeding (while your baby is still very young) can cause your milk supply to drop. Wake your baby for a feed during this time or try to get her to settle later and wake her earlier.
Be reassured
If your baby has any of the following, she is probably getting enough breast milk:
1. She uses at least five to eight nappies a day
2. The nappies are wet and the urine is colourless
3. You hear swallowing and perhaps some gulping
4. Your baby seems happy and content after feeding
5. She breastfeeds frequently - every two to three hours for a total of at least 8 to 12 feeds a day
More breastfeeds will produce more milk, so feeding your baby more often will result in more milk being produced by your breasts.
Pay attention to your own need for rest, relaxation, proper diet, and fluids.
If at any time your baby doesn't seem to be thriving, do consult your doctor.