Patient's question:
The baby started receiving full breastfeeding from the fifth day of birth. In the initial days, she would only nurse for a little while and then fall asleep. If her little ears or chin were gently moved, she would continue nursing for a bit more, but would still fall asleep shortly after. I was reluctant to burp her for fear of waking her up, so I would hold her at a tilted, elevated angle for about half an hour after each feeding before putting her to bed. Around the 14th day of the postpartum period, the baby could sleep for over two hours after being fully fed.By the 18th day of the postpartum period, the baby would fall asleep after nursing, but only for about half an hour before waking up. She would open her mouth wide, searching for food. I offered her milk from the other breast, but she would fall asleep after nursing for a short while and wake up again within half an hour, still opening her mouth to search for food. She also experienced vomiting, and I assumed she was overfed. No matter how I tried to soothe her, she wouldn’t calm down, so I had to feed her again. Due to the short interval between feedings, there wasn’t much milk left in my breasts. As a result, the baby cried and couldn’t sleep well all day. That night, I gave her 60ml of formula, and surprisingly, she drank it eagerly, finishing it quickly and then sleeping soundly.
Could you please advise if this situation indicates insufficient milk supply? What should I do?
Doctor's answer:
This situation could be due to insufficient milk supply. If the baby is not getting enough to eat, you can offer formula milk. The baby feels more comfortable and relaxed being breastfed in the mother's arms, and it is normal for them to fall asleep. Gently moving them can help them focus on feeding.In daily life, it's important for the mother to maintain a balanced diet, eat nutrient-rich foods, and consume more soups, which can help boost milk production.
The above advice is for the question "What should I do if I have insufficient milk supply?" I hope it helps you. Wishing you good health!