A beginner's guide to your milk supply

Breastfeeding, 0-3 months

If breast milk is nature's perfect food, it's also one of its more mysterious creations. That's why we have put together this guide to help you understand the ins and outs of your milk supply, and why you might not think you have enough milk — when you actually do.

How it works

In a nutshell, breast milk is created on a supply-and-demand basis. This means that when your baby takes milk from your breast, your body naturally begins to create more. On the other hand, if your breasts remain full, it's a sign for your body to slow down milk production. These are the basic mechanics of how breast milk is made.

What is breast milk storage capacity?

When it comes to milk supply, you'll inevitably hear talk of breast storage capacity as well. This, as you've probably guessed, refers to how much milk your breasts are able to store at a time. And before you begin glancing at your cup size, it actually has nothing to do with the size of your breasts! There's no correct capacity; it's just handy to know that all breasts are made differently.

How can I increase my supply?

There are a few key things to keep in mind when you're trying to increase your supply. First, make sure you're giving your body the fuel it needs to go about the energy-zapping business of creating milk. This means drinking plenty of water and trying—emphasis on trying—to eat regular meals.

If you have some helping hands available, now is the time to put them to work! The more comfortable and relaxed you feel, the easier it will be to produce milk.

Lastly, regular nursing sessions will act as a natural trigger for your body to create more milk. Remember, the more demand, the bigger the supply!

How do I know if I have enough milk?

Here's a tricky truth all breastfeeding mums have to grapple with: there's no sure way to know how much milk your baby is drinking. It's frustrating, we know, but the good news is that motherhood doesn't have to be all guesswork.

You can use these milestones to keep track of whether your little one is getting enough milk:

The bottom line? The best indicator will be those chubby little cheeks in front of you. A happy, alert and growing baby is the best sign that you are producing enough milk.

Things that might make you doubt

Here are some common reasons that lead many mums to assume that they haven't got enough milk — when they actually have: