Moms, Your Breast Milk Can Tell You How Healthy You Are

A breastfeeding mom knows how precious this liquid gold is, as it is the first food her baby will receive. It is her little one's sustenance for the first six months until he is ready to start with solid food. Breastfeeding can be quite challenging, since a mom has to deal with cracked nipples, mastitis, or low milk supply every now and then.

A woman's body is designed to nurture her newborn baby with milk. It is a natural occurrence. Thus, when a mom finds that her milk supply is dwindling, there may be more to it than just your body not making enough milk. 

Here are a few things your breast milk supply — or the lack of it — can tell you: 

What your diet consists of

A yellow color to your breastmilk may indicate you are eating vegetables that are rich in vitamins to your diet, such as sweet potato or carrots. A blue tint is not to be a cause of alarm, as it is simply your foremilk, which usually comes when you start a breastfeeding session. If your breastmilk has a reddish tint to it, however, it's possibly an indication that there is blood in it that may sometimes be caused by a cracked nipple or a tiny wound. It won't harm your child, but have it checked, for your sake, if it gets worse.

That you need iron in your diet

Sometimes, a low milk supply may indicate iron deficiency. It is expected that you will feel tired the first few months (or year) caring for your newborn, but iron deficiency can make you feel lethargic and dizzy, too, with bouts of headaches and shortness of breath. Have yourself checked; a vitamin supplement may do the trick.

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The status of your emotional and mental health

According to a study, women who've experienced postpartum depression often struggled with their breastmilk supply. It also found that women who had high levels of depression had low levels of oxytocin while breastfeeding, making them feel sad or even irritated. 

That you lack sleep

Well we don't need our low milk supply to tell us that, isn't it? A shortage of breast milk is sometimes caused by the mom not getting enough sleep (can't do anything about that). However, sleep is essential for breastfeeding moms like you, so ask your partner for help to look after the baby, listen to your body, and in time, as your body recharges, you may see your milk supply getting better.

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