Poor quality breast milk? Is this possible?

[Jasnem]

I am often told that I'm lucky that I must produce good quality milk as my ds is large, content, and exclusively breast fed.
Is this true? Do some women not produce good enough milk?

I think it is down to deceication and motivation on my part...am I wrong? Am I just lucky?

Matnanplus was indeed asking for advice as far as I can see, as to what the mother she was working with could have done differently.

Matnanplus, you seem genuinely interested in supporting mothers to breastfeed, and I applaud you for that.

I think it is of course very difficult for you to countermand what a mother's HV or paed has to say, even if you have doubts about it. One thing training does is to practice ways of offering alternatives to a mother, based on a full understanding of how breastfeeding works. Then of course as you say, the choice is up to her.

I think the point to start from is to understand that breastfeeding, on the whole, works, as long as the conditions are right - this usually means the mother feeding often, and in a position that's comfortable for her and her baby. Long gaps between feeds will reduce the supply, and threaten longer term breastfeeding.

I can't say what was going on in that situation, not without knowing more. But leaping in with formula is not a good thing to do for the bf; I can't understand why she is expressing at 12 midnight (why not just feed the baby?!); I can understand why it might be a difficult situation for you.

Thank you Moondog, i will give the number a call and see if i can get more infomation.

Tictok, the mother has decided that the best solution for her is to give an expressed bottle at 8pm and express when she feels the need and give a formula bottle at 1130pm.

Not ideal and she did indeed feed the baby for over an hour last night and still the baby took 2oz of formula, we have chatted about more feeding = more milk, but she feels that this is the best plan for her, she has spoken to others about the evening problems she has encountered and is firm in her decision.

I know it could be resolved in the very near future but as i have said it is not my place to push her, i'm there to help her follow the course she wishes to follow.

I will look into more knowledge and continue to give all help i can and yes i find 'health professionals' push formula at the slightest hint of hesitation by the breast feeding mother, all i can do is make publications and websites and phone numbers available.

Many thanks everyone for your input,i have learnt a little more and i know it is an emotive subject.

Matnan, I share your feelings about this not being ideal.....but if she wants to do this, then of course she can. She will however find her milk supply reduces if she continues, almost certainly.

Babies often do take formula after a longish breastfeed. It means nothing except the baby would have enjoyed staying at the breast for longer for whatever reason. It does not save time - the bottle has to be prepared and given. The baby might as well have stayed on the breast.

Giving that top up, then not feeding the baby or expressing until the next morning, will have an inpact on her supply. My betting is she will give larger top ups more often - her confidence in the whole process has reduced