How To Increase Lactation. Pregnancy And Childbirth

How to increase lactation

Breast milk deficiency is very frightening for young mothers, especially those who have become mothers for the first time.

There are many reasons for insufficient milk production:

Unrest

If there is less milk during the first month, then the reason, most likely, lies in fatigue, anxiety, and insufficient nutrition.

Do not limit yourself to food, hold and carry the baby more in your arms - this will help restore abdominal muscles and improve lactation.

• Walk more.
• Find a breastfeeding consultant you trust and understand, and bombard him with questions.

Sucking problem

It is also possible that this is not a milk problem, but a baby's. If a child sucks for no more than 7 minutes per feeding, and then falls asleep, then most likely the matter is in his weakness or laziness. This is especially true if, when expressing after breastfeeding, the milk gushes out.

If the child does not suck for long and does not gain weight well, help him. Feed him as often as possible. Wake up by patting his cheek if he falls asleep near his chest. When sucking becomes sluggish, press on the breast towards the nipple, as if squeezing milk into its mouth. Continue if he swallows willingly. Such difficulties usually disappear by the 2nd month.

Return of menses

If there is less milk after 1-2 months. after giving birth, your monthly cycle is likely to return. This does not mean that normal menstruation will begin (although this is possible), it just changes the hormonal background. This "deficit" of milk lasts no more than a week.

Change to both breasts at one time.

• You can use agents to improve lactation, although in such a situation, their effect is negligible.
• It is more correct not to start feeding the baby from a bottle, but simply apply it to the breast more often and not worry. In this case, after a while, everything will be restored by itself.

This can be repeated every month, and with varying intensity, but the strongest are usually the 1st or 2nd crises. Do not worry, this will not affect the child in any way.

Psychological fatigue

If milk becomes less after the 2nd month, both the reasons stated above and any other are possible. For example, you are tired of feeding, you are feeding strictly according to the regimen, you have postpartum depression, you do not drink water while feeding, etc.

Deception of the senses

Perhaps this is the situation: milk is produced normally, but it seems to you that something is wrong due to the fact that the breast has become smaller. Please note that your breasts will not be as large as in the first month after giving birth, as milk is not produced so much before as during breastfeeding. If the child is gaining weight normally, it is most likely okay.

As for the quality of milk (for example, fat content), keep in mind: every child is suitable for his mother's milk. If you eat well, then the quality of the milk is okay, even if it does not seem fat enough.