The long-awaited birth of a child dramatically changes the life of a woman and her family. The maternal role requires completely new knowledge and skills, which the new mother often does not possess. Breastfeeding is one of the most important topics that concern a woman at this stage of life. How to increase the amount of breast milk? This is a question that is often asked by concerned mothers of babies. A complete answer to it can be obtained by examining the available information about the lactation process and the characteristics of feeding the baby.
Breast anatomy
The breast of an adult woman consists of several types of tissue: glandular, connective and fat. In the alveoli of the glandular tissue there is a constant production and storage of milk. From there, it enters the alveolar ducts, which are combined into larger ones going to the nipple. There are sebaceous and sweat glands on the paralosal circle (areola). The former produce fat that has a softening and protective function. Montgomery glands are located there, secreting a special antibacterial substance that lubricates the nipple.
The connective tissue of the mammary gland has a supporting, supporting value, and the fatty tissue is protective. The system of blood capillaries and small vessels delivers the beneficial substances needed for milk production to the mammary gland. And the lymphatic system carries away the biological waste products that occur in the female breast. Nerves provide a permanent connection with the brain.
The female breast has several lobules. Each consists of alveoli associated with one main duct and many small ones. According to recent studies, the number of lobes in each breast varies from 7 to 10 pieces.
Lactation physiology
The main physiological principle of lactation is very simple: the more milk the baby sucks, the more this nutrient fluid is produced in the mammary gland. During the baby’s attachment to the breast, the mother’s brain receives a signal that stimulates the production of oxytocin. This hormone affects the movement of milk along the ducts. And in the empty alveoli, its production begins in an even greater amount than before this feeding. The oxytocin reflex or reflex of separation of milk can be felt by a tingling sensation in the chest, which appeared heaviness in the mammary glands, increased thirst.
Knowing this process gives insight into how to increase the amount of breast milk. According to the results of scientific research, there is a special chemical compound in human milk that adjusts the optimal milk production for a particular baby. If the mammary gland is full, then it gives the command to the alveoli to temporarily suspend work. When the baby sucks milk from the breast, the alveoli again begin to produce it.
Causes Affecting Lactation
Restless young mothers often ask the question: “Why has breast milk decreased?” In this case, women rely on subjective assessments of the behavior of the child and the condition of the gland. Lack of information affects the emotional state of the mother after childbirth. The question arises: "How to increase the amount and fat content of breast milk?" Moms themselves make inappropriate diagnoses, for example, hypogalactia, which is a pathological condition associated with a decrease in the volume of lactation or its duration. Nevertheless, true malfunctioning of the mammary gland occurs in less than 3% of women in the postpartum period. And usually this is due to hormonal and somatic disorders of the health of the mother.
If she and the child are physically healthy, then most often the reasons for reducing the amount of milk are in the technique of applying the baby to the breast and the features of the organization of feeding. These include:
- Non-regular feeding leads to insufficient stimulation of the mammary gland and the natural extinction of the oxytocin reflex.
- Due to improper attachment, a lot of milk remains in the iron, which the baby does not suck out, so its production decreases. And then the logical question arises: "How to increase lactation during breastfeeding?".
- An accelerated breast change (earlier than after 1.5-2 hours) leads to insufficient fullness of the breast during the next feeding, so the baby receives a portion of milk that does not meet his needs.
- Short application time prevents the child from getting the right amount of milk.
- Mom's behavior. When she skips feeding necessary for the baby, for example, because the baby is sleeping, in order to accumulate more milk for the next application. If it does not absorb, then the nervous system, together with the mammary glands, stops its production. Thus, little by little the production of milk is reduced.
- The additional drink given to the child after he reaches the age of 6 months reduces the amount of sucked milk. Since the centers of saturation and thirst in the children's brain are located nearby, the child feels full after drinking water.
- The use of bottles and soothers reduce milk production due to low breast stimulation by the baby.
- Uncomfortable position of mother during feeding.
- Gross medical effects during childbirth disrupt the natural course of postpartum adaptation of a woman and can affect lactation.
- Separate finding of mother and newborn after childbirth is fraught with a decrease in milk production and excretion. This is due to the lack of necessary stimulation of the mammary glands and a potentially stressful state in the mother.
- Hormonal regulation of breastfeeding is disrupted when taking diuretics and combined hormonal contraceptives.
Other situations, such as crying the baby, his refusal of breast milk, frequent and prolonged feeding, dissatisfaction with the baby after feeding, a small amount of milk or its absence during pumping are not real signs of insufficient lactation.
How to determine if there is enough milk for the baby?
There are two simple and reliable ways to find out:
- The so-called wet diaper test. It is necessary to calculate the amount of urination of the baby in 24 hours. This is the most quick and convenient method for mom. It can be used only with healthy children who are not doped with water and are not fed with mixtures. A baby older than 14 days of age has enough milk if he has wetted 12 or more diapers per day. If the number of wet diapers is a number from 6 to 11, then lactation is probably reduced. If there are less than six, then you need to consult a pediatrician who supports breastfeeding.
- Weighing your baby monthly also helps you get important information. A healthy baby up to six months of age can recover at least 120 g per week or 0.5–2 kg per month. More frequent weighings do not give an objective assessment of the condition of the child, but only worry the mother, potentially reducing lactation.
If, according to the results of the tests, the baby still does not get enough milk, then in most cases the situation can be changed for the better. To do this, first of all, it is necessary to introduce small, but important changes in the feeding regimen and the method of applying the baby. They will lead to an increase in the amount of breast milk and will support lactation at a sufficient level. Simple and effective rules for organizing feeding will return the "missing" milk in a short time.
Proper attachment to the chest
This is the first thing you should pay attention to when searching for the answer to the question: “How to increase the amount of breast milk?” With proper application, the baby is very close to the chest. The mouth is wide open, the lips are on the border of the areola and above. Bottom turned out. The tongue is located on the gum of the lower jaw. The chin touches the chest. The areola is located completely in the child's mouth or peeks out a little. The nipple is deep in the mouth, its tip touches the sky. When sucking, the baby's cheeks are not pulled in, but are inflated.
Breastfeeding should not be painful. If the pain appears when a child is applied, then his position is probably wrong.
On-demand feeding
This means that the mother offers her breasts at any signal from the baby: grunting and search movements of the head, signs of anxiety or crying. If the child is not hungry, but has some other need, then he will not take the chest. In the first months of life, a small person needs to suck about every hour and a half during the day, less often at night, but at least four times.
Also, the mother can offer the baby the breast itself (if, for example, the mammary gland is full, and the baby is still sleeping), which determines the amount of breast milk at the next feeding. The combination of sleep and sucking for a baby is a natural phenomenon. Regardless of who was the initiator, the baby always finishes feeding. Even if it seems to mother that is already enough, it is not necessary to tear the baby from the breast. Usually babies fall asleep sweetly after active sucking, lasting 10-30 minutes or more.
What negatively affects stimulation?
If the mother’s real goal is to increase lactation, then dummies and nipples will only do harm. Instead of stimulating the maternal mammary gland and actively incorporating the sucking reflex in vivo, the child learns to be ineffective, easy sucking. The necessary supplements should be given from a spoon, cup or syringe without a needle.
Breast milk is more than 80% water. This indicator fully satisfies the baby's need for fluid up to the age of 6 months. As already noted, dipping stimulates the center of satiety in the brain of the child, reducing its need for sucking. And maternal lactation is reduced.
Extra care for yourself and your baby
This is one of the most enjoyable ways to increase lactation during breastfeeding. As soon as the baby appears, mom gets into a new and difficult situation. Therefore, she urgently needs additional care about her health and emotional state. Be sure to have a rest during the day with the baby, eat a balanced and varied diet and drink enough clean water. In order for the hormonal system that regulates breastfeeding to work perfectly, you should carry the baby in your arms as much as possible, have physical skin-to-skin contact with him as often as possible and arrange a joint sleep if possible.
When is breast expressing necessary?
The process of breastfeeding is arranged on the principle of supply and demand. If the mother expresses herself after feeding, then she should be ready to develop a larger volume of milk for the next application of the baby. There are several situations where expressing helps the baby or alleviates the condition of the mother. For example, this can be with a strong filling of the mammary gland, when the child can not take a crowded chest. Or milk is expressed in the infant’s mouth so that he calms down and begins to suck himself.
To increase the amount of breast milk during decantation, as with conventional feeding, you need to relax. Oxytocin reflex manifests itself faster and brighter in a state of calm and relaxation. Before decantation, you can consume a warm drink, preferably herbal teas and infusions. A light massage of the neck and back will relieve interfering physical and emotional stress. It is recommended to warm the chest under a stream of warm water or with a compress. Then, to activate the oxytocin reflex, you can stimulate the nipples for some time by gently sipping them with your fingers. The main thing is the creation of comfortable conditions for mom and baby.
How to increase the amount of breast milk folk remedies?
There are herbs and foods that positively affect the functioning of the nervous and hormonal systems of a nursing woman. Often they have a bracing effect for the whole organism. These include: bee bread and royal jelly, walnuts, nettle infusion, ginger, fennel, caraway seeds and dill.
When using these products, it is important to remember that these are only auxiliary means. Because how to increase the amount of breast milk can only be based on the main rules described above, based on the physiology of lactation and understanding of the needs of the baby.