Why does breastfeeding stumble despite the mother’s attempts?

Is breast milk enough for the baby? The first problem of breastfeeding is that it is difficult to measure, the amount of milk consumed in each feeding is very difficult to determine, as happens when using milk bottles. This mystery leaves a wide area of doubt, especially when the breast becomes softer after the first weeks, or the milk leakage stops, or the time of feeding shrinks. According to the journal Parents, citing lactation consultants and neonatal doctors, the softness of the breast or short duration of lactation does not necessarily mean a lack of milk. In the first weeks, the body may produce more than the child's need, and then gradually adjust the production to suit the child's consumption. Some children also become faster and more efficient in drag, getting their need in a shorter time. Also, the child's repeated request for breastfeeding does not mean that it is insatiable, as convergent bottles, known as cluster feeding, or "Cluster Feeding", are common during growth spurts, and may be used by the child to increase turn or to feel safe and calm. The amount of milk extracted in the pump alone does not provide accurate evidence of the volume of production. American lactation expert Anita Arora, in her interview with the magazine "Today’s Parent", that the frequency of feedings alone does not prove the presence of a lack of milk, the most accurate assessment depends on the course of weight of the child, and the observation of his ability to swallow during breastfeeding, and his general activity after breastfeeding, and the number of diapers wet. If weak weight gain, lack of urination, or a lack of obvious swallowing are observed, you should move from general advice to a medical assessment of both the mother and the infant. Why is milk production delayed after childbirth? Breastfeeding does not automatically begin with the baby’s position on the breast, but the success of the operation depends on a series of hormonal changes that begin after the placenta is separated.During the first days, the body moves from colostry production, the first concentrated milk, to the production of larger quantities of milk, and this transition may be delayed beyond 72 hours in some mothers, a condition known as delayed in the start of heavy production. Studies that have studied delayed production indicate that it is linked to several factors, including: caesarean section, first-time birth experience, long labor, diabetes, blood pressure disorders, and high body mass index. These factors do not necessarily mean the failure of breastfeeding, but they may delay its beginning, especially after a caesarean section, when the pain of the wound, difficulty in movement and fatigue or temporary separation between mother and child hinder the recurrence of premature feedings. Delays may also be increased when there is heavy bleeding or the remaining parts of the placenta, as this affects the hormonal balance and milk production, so if the delay in production is accompanied by symptoms such as abnormal bleeding, persistent pain or fever, the condition should be evaluated medically.When milk production capacity is limited The ability to produce milk depends on the adequacy of the glandular tissues within the breast, and in rare cases these tissues do not grow enough to meet the needs of the child, and lactation experts explain that the size of the breast is not an accurate indicator of production capacity, as the external shape is affected by fatty tissue more than the glands producing milk, and some signs such as the absence of changes during pregnancy or difference in shape and size may require evaluation, but they do not diagnose the situation conclusively. According to Today’s Barnett, this does not mean that there is no milk completely, as the mother may produce part of her baby’s needs without being able to rely on breastfeeding alone. On the other hand, hormonal factors may also affect milk production, as conditions such as polycystic ovaries and thyroid disorders are associated with poor turnover in some women, which requires a review of the medical history when the problem persists. According to lactation expert Diana West, the treatment of the health reason may improve production, while some mothers may need to combine breastfeeding with formula. Breast surgery and certain medications, such as decongestants and hormonal contraces, can also affect the production to varying degrees, making a doctor’s consultation necessary before making any decision. A problem in the child himself Milk production depends on the process of frequent withdrawals from the breast, and the more efficiently the child empties the production, but the child may stay long without sufficient withdrawal because of poor sterilization, sucking or swallowing, the mother believes that the problem is in her ability to produce milk. Ashley Beckett, a breastfeeding consultant, explains to Today’s Barnet magazine that effective erection allows milk to come out and last, while surface stream reduces the discharge process, production decreases, the child gets less, breast stimulation decreases, then production declines and the milk flow becomes slower, and so on. The British Health Service explains that incorrect trendancy may lead to pain in the mother or not to satisfy the child after feeding, and confirms that the ligament of the tongue does not cause a problem for each child, but it may make breastfeeding harder for some of them, so it is not enough to examine the child's mouth quickly, it is better to see a specialist full bottle and monitor the movement of the jaw and swallowing and the shape of the nipple after completion.Pain is not a tax for breastfeeding. Sometimes, the mother may feel a transient allergy at first, but the pain that persists throughout the feeding or causes cracks and bleeding is not a mandatory price for breastfeeding, as it may be caused by a wrong breastfeeding position, inflammation, blockage in the channels, or congestion that makes the breast hard and makes it difficult for the straightened child.According to the guidelines of the British National Health Service (NHS) published on its official website on breastfeeding problems, it is advisable not to ignore the pain of the nipples or try to tolerate it without seeking specialized assistance, as it may get worse if not treated. The same guidelines suggest that blockage of milk ducts may develop into inflammation in the breast, accompanied by high fever and severe flu-like symptoms. Then, when every bottle becomes associated with pain and fear, it makes no sense to ask the mother to “slow down and continue to try,” but the problem should be diagnosed and treated at its root.When support becomes an additional pressure on women The experience is even more intense when the mother receives conflicting advice; someone may ask her to wake the child constantly to breastfeed him, while another advises her to wait for signs of hunger and not to force the child. She may also be told that using formula will destroy the production, and then be blamed if her baby does not gain weight. According to the results of a study carried by the British newspaper "The Guardian", which included more than two thousand mothers, 65% of them said that the difficulties of breastfeeding were one of the most influential factors in their mental health during the first years of motherhood, and considered that this problem was to make them feel that they were bad mothers or that they failed their children and did not have the proper instinct. The British researcher Elizabeth Braithwaite tells the Guardian that easy breastfeeding is presented as the usual natural experience, while women are not prepared enough for the chances of pain, lack of milk, premature birth and problems of evasion, at a time when many do not get adequate guidance and specialized follow-up in the first place. The real help of a nursing mother begins with a simple question: is the problem in milk production or in its arrival to the child? The answer requires a medical review of the baby’s weight and diapers, watching a full feed, examining his mouth, knowing the details of the mother’s birth, health and other details. In conclusion, the success of breastfeeding is not measured by the ability of the mother to bear, nor by the number of hours she spent in front of the pump, but by a child who gets enough food in a way that suits his condition, and a mother who receives specialized support that protects her body and mental health and ensures the safety of her baby.