When is a lactational crisis and what to do? This is a common question. We will examine it in more detail.
Lactation crisis occurs in almost every woman at least once during breastfeeding. This is an ordinary physiological phenomenon that causes quite a lot of concern. That is why all nursing mothers need to remember the possible occurrence of such a situation, be prepared for it and know its usual duration, as well as the procedure.
Mature lactation and its relationship with crises of breastfeeding
Mature lactation is a period when breast milk is formed not due to the influence of hormones, but as a response to the stimulation of the female breast by the baby. In this case, the breast is soft, and milk arrives only immediately at the time of feeding. There is no stock in it. The timing of the establishment of mature lactation during breastfeeding is individual.
Mature lactation in some women begins already in the third week, but most often it is established at the 3-4th month.
When the amount of milk is regulated artificially, for example, by pumping, such a self-regulating system may not form in principle. At the same time, the immune characteristics of milk deteriorate, but breastfeeding can be easily stopped. To do this, gradually reduce the number of pumpings, and then feedings.
Lactation of a mature type can proceed completely calmly or be accompanied by periodic crises, that is, a short decrease in milk volume within 3-7 days (usually 2-3 days). However, it cannot be stopped spontaneously without consequences for women's health. It ends itself in the form of natural involution. The volume of milk decreases, while in terms of the composition of antibodies, it becomes like colostrum, and then completely disappears. Most often, the child already eats regular food by this time.
But what to do with a lactational crisis?
Description
This is a temporary decrease in milk volume during steady-state lactation. Typically, breast-feeding crises occur in the period from three to six weeks, after - in three, six and twelve months. However, deviations may occur. Some women even feed the child without any complications.
Signs of a lactation crisis:
- The baby practically "hangs" on the chest, is more often applied and sucks longer.
- The child is nervous and crying near his chest, his cry is “hungry”, it is clear that he does not have enough food, no matter how much time he sucks.
- A woman feels that her breasts are as if not filling up.
How to overcome the lactational crisis?
Periods and timing of the crisis
We have already found out that the crisis refers to a temporary decrease in milk volume during mature steady-state lactation, which has a natural character. This phenomenon is especially common in the following ages of the child: 1, 2, 3, 6 months and 1 year. Some mothers do not have this at all. It lasts an average of 2-3 days, most often does not exceed a week. If the course of the crisis is longer, then this indicates hypogalactia, and then it is necessary to search for the causes and, perhaps, start treatment.
Why is milk volume decreasing?
The amount of milk is reduced for the following reasons:
- Errors in the organization of breastfeeding, for example, rare feeding, lack of application in the morning, the use of a dummy.
- Lactation crisis per month can provoke a bad mood and fatigue of a nursing mother. The life of a woman changes quite a lot with the birth of a child. No matter how long-awaited and beloved he is, life gradually sucks in and does not contribute to a good mood. Prolonged lack of sleep, routine, lack of communication become the cause of apathy, and sometimes even lead to depression. Mothers do not recognize themselves. This condition negatively affects breastfeeding.
- The lactation crisis of 3 months is facilitated by the increased growth of the child, that is, the jump that occurs during certain time periods. The baby suddenly increases the need for food due to accelerated growth or the emergence of new skills that increase its physical activity. At the same time, the child sleeps less, learns to crawl first, and then walk. Of course, he needs more food. The maternal body is sometimes not able to adapt so quickly to the growing needs of the baby. Milk does not get smaller, but it seems to the woman that this is so. It is just necessary to give time to the body, gradually the food will become exactly as much as the child needs.
- Sometimes lactation fluctuations are popularly associated with the lunar phases. This point of view, of course, is not recognized in official medicine, but it has the right to exist. So, it is well known that the number of births increases during the full moon.
Many are interested in how to overcome the lactational crisis in 3 months.
Three-month-old baby: a leap in development
Feeding at this age has already been established, but the child may begin to behave uneasily near the chest, refuse it, constantly distracted, or "hang" on it. This is due to the fact that the baby by the age of three months begins to show an active interest in the world around him, he has a lot of new activities.
It is necessary to pay attention to how the child falls asleep. It is better to do it with a breast, but not with a dummy. Otherwise, milk production will decrease due to insufficient stimulation.
In case of the baby's refusal, it is impossible to throw GV in any case. It is necessary to offer him breasts at night and in the afternoon, while not forcing him to suck by force. The baby will sooner or later get hungry and in any case want milk.
It is necessary to endure the whims, calming the baby with gentle conversations, stroking, walking and entertaining. But it is not worth it and to over-patronize him.
At three months, the lactational crisis may be due to the fact that children do not have enough freedom, because there is a lot of interesting things around. Sometimes a child just needs to lie on a developing rug or in a crib, watch what is happening near him or play with rattles. When he gets bored, he will be more willing to eat milk.
How to deal with the crisis?
To overcome the crisis period, you need to adhere to a number of recommendations. They will help to survive this time easier. The main thing is to remember that everything is fixable.
Psychological attitude
The most important thing is to try not to worry and always remember that the baby’s health is good, lactation is enough. His dissatisfaction with the volume of milk will provoke active actions in the child, he will suck more diligently. To get a positive experience from the crisis, you may need the support of a nursing mother, but the baby will eventually get his way. It must be remembered that anxiety will only worsen the situation and will interfere with the production of milk.
Improving the quality of life
What to do? Lactation crisis at 3 months most often occurs with a lack of time, fatigue and a bad mood. A full rest is required, therefore, a nursing mother needs to rest with her baby during the day.
It is recommended to free yourself from household duties during the crisis: cooking, cleaning, and take the help of relatives and friends around the house. All the time you need to devote to the baby, on demand, apply it to the chest. For successful lactation, sometimes you need to escape from the daily routine. You can go to the movies or meet a friend. Lactation depends directly on the health and mood of the mother.
Physical stimulation
The nervous system will help calm the massage, which will strengthen the health of women. Stimulation of blood circulation will improve lactation. Exercises for the muscles of the chest and collar are also useful. Excessive efforts are not necessary, just light strokes.
Food and Drinking
A nursing mother needs to eat fully, as this plays a very important role in stimulating lactation. Her diet should be high in calories and include a large amount of protein. During the lactation crisis, you need to drink more hot drinks. It can be teas with milk, compotes. You also need to remember that when breastfeeding, it is recommended to drink about 5 liters of fluid, even if lactation is normal.
Increase the number of attachments
The baby needs to be applied on demand. In some cases, this needs to be done in a circle, applying it to each breast, if it looks empty. If the child is crying, it is necessary to console him, distract him, play, and then again offer him a meal.
It is not worth it to supplement it with a mixture. The lactation crisis most often does not last long, the baby will not be hungry and will help resolve the situation with his efforts. When feeding, the situation is aggravated, it can damage its digestion and cause allergic reactions.
Feeding at night
It is at night that hormones are produced that stimulate lactation (oxytocin and prolactin). Every lactating mother knows this feeling when her breasts fill up in the morning.
Milk production is well influenced by joint sleep and constant bodily contact. Thanks to night feedings, lactation is established in the first days after the birth of the baby and is restored during a crisis without the use of additional funds.
It must be remembered that the milk of a woman is indispensable for a child. With maximum effort, you can achieve successful breastfeeding. If you tune in to failure, then you can’t avoid a lactational crisis. Also, women are often afraid that feeding will ruin the appearance of the breast. However, deformations of the mammary glands occur during pregnancy, so the refusal to breastfeed the situation will not improve.
This is a natural phenomenon. Each woman has natural resources that will help to cope with the problem and further feed her baby.
We examined when there is a lactational crisis and what to do to a nursing mother during this period.