Did you know that there is a magic number for your milk supply?
Dr Shirley Chan-Ramirez, a concierge paediatrician said that the magic number is the number of times you need to pump or breastfeed.
It’s a way to determine how many times you need to empty your breasts in a day to maintain your milk supply.
The ‘Right’ Milk Supply
It’s important to note that milk production usually peaks around 30 to 40 days postpartum and that it varies for each person.
The storage capacity is a number of ounces of milk that your breast can hold before it starts feeling full.
Your storage capacity isn’t determined by your breast size but by the amount of glandular tissue in your breasts.
The average breast capacity is about two to four ounces per breast, although it can vary.
According to Evidence-Based Mommy, breast milk contains a chemical called the feedback inhibitor of lactation.
This chemical is what alerts the the breast to stop making more milk if it’s not removed from the breast.
What Is Your Magic Number
The average magic number is eight and it’s recommended to breastfeed every three hours.
Dr Shirley mentioned that if you have a smaller storage capacity, the bigger your magic number.
The opposite applies if you have a smaller storage capacity.
Mums that have a smaller storage capacity would have to pump or breastfeed more often than those that have a bigger capacity to maintain a full supply.
Your magic number refers to how many times you should pump or feed your baby per day with no drop in supply.
The Importance of Your Magic Number for Pumping
It’s mostly important for mums that are pumping.
Mums that are feeding on demand, the magic number might not matter to them.
This is because you would be there to monitor and pay attention to your baby’s cues and nursing.
If your magic number is eight, and your baby feeds six times that day, you would only need to pump two times instead of three.
The Reason You Should Follow Your Magic Number
Your milk supply depends on how often you nurse or pump your breasts.
The more you breastfeed or pump, the more milk your body makes.
Waiting too long to nurse or pump can slowly reduce your milk supply, thanks to the feedback inhibitor of lactation.
Some women fear that their breast milk supply is too little, and if that’s you, then you can try nursing your baby or pumping more often.
Other things you can do is to drink water and eating nutritious foods that can help.
However, if you’re the opposite and feel like you have too much, what you can do is:
- alternate the breast you start each feeding with
- if possible, try nursing on only one breast at each finding
- to relieve discomfort, try expressing or pumping
Both Breastfeeding and Pumping Are Important
Breastfeeding helps you understand your baby’s cue and pumping is important if you’re not always nursing to maintain supply.
Remember to nurse your baby more often or pump to maintain your supply and avoid breast engorgement, mummies!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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