next feed. If a breastfeed is unusually short; gets interrupted; the baby has latched-on poorly; or the mother or the baby is distressed; then prolactin is inhibited and milk production will drop for the next feed. If such inhibiting factors are chronic, over time, milk quantity will reduce.
   With stress induced shortages, it is still possible to continue breastfeeding - so long as you can make the effort to manage the situation in the following ways. (i) Immediately reduce the most prevalent causes of stress in your life and make sure that all feeding times are quiet and relaxed for you both. (ii) Since prolactin levels are higher at night and when resting, you should make an effort to feed the baby as often as they will take it at night. Maybe take them to bed for a night or two and feed for extended periods whilst you doze. (iii) During the day, at least for a day or two, spend as much time resting in bed as possible, feeding long and relaxed when necessary. (iv) After that initial time of increasing milk supply, continue to keep your stress levels low, your feeding times relaxed and focussed, your relaxation levels high through methods like daily Yoga Nidra, plan for plenty of sleep (no late nights), improved diet for mother that is high in easily digestible proteins as well as high in fluids, and a positive attitude that you are able to provide the nourishment your baby requires.
   Another inhibitor of prolactin is expressing milk - either by way of a breast pump or by hand. It is the suckling motion of the baby's mouth on the areola that helps stimulate prolactin release, as well as the interactions of closeness and loving contact, and no form of expressing can do this as effectively as nature designed a baby to do. Therefore, if you are expressing regularly (perhaps on return to employment away from home) you can expect your milk supply to drop. The amount it drops will be proportional to how many feeds you are expressing for, how long you have been exclusively breastfeeding for, and whether you are supplementing with formula feeds.
   In conclusion, just as one might do during the uncharted periods of pregnancy and birthing, it is easy to let your mind get caught up in unfounded concerns like "do I have enough milk?". In general, if your baby is sleeping regularly, feeding regularly, and pooing and peeing regularly, then you are making enough milk. Rather than relying on another person and their measuring scales to tell you about your own baby's condition, sharpen up your own powers of observation and trust to your own intuition, that you and your baby, your body and his body, can all naturally

respond in ways which can satisfy each other's needs to the fullest.

Inconsistent and Poor Feeding
   If a baby has a nice balance between times of sleep and wakefulness, relaxation and stimulation, and aloneness and interaction in his life, he is more likely to enjoy and concentrate fully on his feeding time. He will be less likely to muck around or be so tired that he just spaces out and falls asleep before he's had enough to satisfy his needs. One inadequate feed can easily cause the creation of the next, and then the next, and then the whole day and night just becomes a series of half-satisfying breastfeeds for the baby, requiring frequent adjustments and top ups at his whim.
   The golden rule for babies up to about 8 months is always: Feed well and sleep well. So if a baby is feeding poorly - for example losing interest, falling asleep after a few minutes, or pulling on and off the breast - have patience to help him suckle as long as possible. To break a poor feeding cycle, once the feed is finished, be determined not to feed again for a few hours, by which time he will be properly hungry. If he feeds poorly a second or third time, then illness may be the problem and, if accompanied by other symptoms like fever, rash, or high pitched screaming, needs to be investigated.
   From about 8 months old, some babies begin to self-wean by feeding for much shorter periods. The same rule of being consistent must still apply for at this stage. Once they think they have finished, that's it. Don't feel you have to keep offering the breast. Of course by this age they have greater language understanding so ask them - "Are you finished?" and say 'OK, no more." They will quickly make up their mind if they really do want more.

Breast Tenderness
   Residual soreness or tenderness in the breast when touched can be related to incomplete emptying of the milk glands in the breasts. Over time, this may lead to mastitis, a condition that can become quite serious if poor feeding routines continue. The simplest prevention of soreness is to make sure feeding takes place in a quite relaxed atmosphere were the baby will feed to complete satisfaction without distraction and is properly latched-on. If soreness persists, try gently massaging the breasts with a lightly oiled hand, while in a warm bath or shower.

Mastitis
   Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue due to a blockage of the alveoli