I could probably write twenty or more blog posts on this topic alone.  Milk Supply seems to be the main concern of most modern day mamas.  This morning I got a call from a mama of a very new baby who was concerned about her breastmilk supply.  Why was she concerned?
  

• Her Mother keeps questioning her about whether or not baby is getting enough.
  
• She pumped yesterday and only got a few ounces of breastmilk so her supply must be low.
  
• Her husband told her that they should just go ahead and put the baby on formula since they don't know how much breastmilk baby is getting at a feeding.
  

What did I NOT hear during the phone call?

• That baby is losing weight or not gaining adequately.
  
• That baby isn't having enough wet or poopy diapers.
  
• That baby seems fussy at the breast at every feeding.
  
• That mama has a physical condition that could lead to a low supply.
  

Nope, not one of these possible low milk supply signs was voiced by this mama.  This call was mended fairly easily by reassuring this first-time mama that her baby sounds as though he is doing well.  

I was able to point out that:

• Her baby is having plenty of wet and poopy diapers.  
  
• Her baby eats well at the breast and falls asleep easily at the end of a feeding.  
  
• The mama was able to pump 4 ounces in one sitting (even though I have now advised her not to pump when baby is so young).
• Baby is gaining weight well.
• Baby is active and alert when awake.

I made a few suggestions for this mama:

• That she bring her own mother with her to a breastfeeding support group meeting.  
  
• That the mama let her husband and mother know that she needs them to be supportive and to not question breastfeeding so much.  
  
• That she trust in her own maternal instincts.
  

Now if only this mama had more support around her on a day-to-day basis....I hope she finds some breastfeeding friends soon!  

Thankfully, our community here in San Antonio, Texas, has a good number of breastfeeding support groups as well as a burgeoning natural parenting community.  Studies show time and again that women who have access to breastfeeding support groups have higher long term breastfeeding success.  We at The MILC Group are committed to growing and supporting our local breastfeeding community.  Here are a few good reasons to attend a breastfeeding support group:

Prenatally

• See "real" baby behavior
  
• Hear what other new moms are asking
  
• Get a visual on what breastfeeding looks like
  
• Start to grow your network of support
  

Postpartum

• Get all of those early questions answered in person
  
• Feel supported in your decision to breastfeed
  
• Meet other breastfeeding mothers with babies close to your baby's age
  
• Nurse in a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying some good conversation
  
• Learn about what to expect "down the line"
  

Continuing 

• Enjoy a network of breastfeeding families
  
• Continue to receive support from your community on your journey
  
• Create life-long friendships
  

The MILC Group is expanding our offerings to the community.  We will be hosting a weekly Breastfeeding Support Group!  Here are the details:

On October 8th, 2014, The MILC Group was so honored to be a sponsor of a special mothers-only day at French & Michigan Gallery.  The exhibition we were there to enjoy....Supply and Demand by Sarah Sudhoff.  

From the French & Michigan website, "Turning to the politics of breastfeeding, Sudhoff pulls from her inability to produce enough milk for her then-young son as inspiration for documented performances, milk typologies, self-portraits, and sculpture.  The milk serves as subject and metaphor for feelings of loss and failure experienced by so many mothers, while highlighting the way in which breastfeeding is highly medicalized and undeniably personal in contemporary American culture."

Thank you to all the mothers who came out with and without their babies.  We would also like to thank Celeste Wackenhut who has so beautifully curated this exhibit and brought us into the project and Elizabeth Pearson who is the most amazing chef we know and provided the delicious treats we enjoyed that morning.  Most of all thank you to Sarah Sudhoff for this beautiful work!

Exhibit Information:

Supply and Demand by Sarah Sudhoff
French & Michigan
115 Michigan Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78201
210.378.0961