Before considering such a question, how to increase lactation breast milk at home, it would not be superfluous to mention how breastfeeding is useful for the baby and to some extent for his mother.

Breast milk for a child is the key to the full and harmonious development of the baby.. For women who are faced with wanting to feed their baby on their own, partial or complete lack of milk is a real problem.

Competent and caring for the health of children, mothers are well aware that even the highest quality and most expensive dry mix cannot replace a full-fledged breastfeeding.

When this problem appears, if there are certain interruptions in breast milk, do not despair. This circumstance is quite amenable to correction.

There are a huge number of methods and recipes, using which you can easily solve the problem of how to increase lactation during breastfeeding.

There are many reasons for inhibition of lactation. They need to be carefully studied in order to make it easier to solve the question of how to increase lactation and fat content of milk.

Here are the most basic of these reasons:

  1. Constant stressful situations and emotional irritability that a woman has to endure.
  2. Unbalanced diet and violation general regime breastfeeding day.
  3. The use of nicotine and alcohol.
  4. Insufficient fluid intake.
  5. The use of fatty and spicy foods, as well as various smoked meats.

There is also such a thing as "lactation crisis", in which a woman has a decrease in breast milk production. This is a special state of the body that occurs when hormonal changes organism.

When deciding how to improve lactation, you can not only follow a specific diet, but also take into account the following rules and tips.

A condition that is characterized by insufficient milk production can be effectively corrected with medication or methods. traditional medicine. Particular attention should be paid to proper nutrition, it should be complete and regular.

From this, as well as from the amount of water drunk, the quantity and quality of milk produced depends. You also need to observe the regime of the day, try to get enough sleep if possible.

Neglecting these tips will lead to a gradual depletion of the female body, so you will not have to rely on the normal process of breast milk production.

The problem with the amount of milk is often caused by non-compliance with the regime breastfeeding, as well as a violation of the general technique of applying the child to the breast.

If the baby does not properly latch on to the breast, he will not be able to drink enough milk, which will automatically reduce the amount.

In addition to the feeding technique, it is worth observing the feeding regime. It is advisable not to adhere to strict time intervals, but to apply the baby at his first request.

Increasing the frequency of feedings has a general stimulating effect on milk production.. The signal for feeding is the baby's anxiety, smacking and crying. When they appear, it is urgent to attach the child to the chest.

The dependence of the frequency of attachment of the baby to the breast and the indicators of the amount of milk produced is directly due to the mechanical stimulation of the female nipples.

In the process of their irritation in the postpartum period in the body of a nursing mother, the production of a special hormone is stimulated, which is responsible for the formation of milk and for its volume.

Based on this rule, it is important to conduct proper pumping, that is, you need to know how to pump correctly in order to increase lactation.

You can do this both independently and with the help of a breast pump.. There is one here important rule- Pumping procedures should be carried out regularly.

Compliance with these rules will help to avoid solving such a question as to what to do if milk is lost.

If a woman begins to lose milk, if she understands that it is losing fat, and the baby does not eat up, it is very important to know what to do in this situation.

In most cases, it is enough to simply change the diet, eat foods that will promote natural lactation and significantly improve the quality of the milk itself.

Very often, to quickly increase the amount of milk, it is enough just to drink a large mug of tea with milk.

The intake of the required amount of nutrients into the body of a nursing mother is one of the main factors that affects the production of the right amount of breast milk.

Nutrition must be complete, since about 700 calories are spent daily on lactation.

A diet that will effectively stimulate the milk production process is not based on increasing food intake, that is, eating everything and a lot, but still with some restrictions.

Before describing what foods should be in the diet, it is worth identifying those that should not be consumed..

These are highly salty foods, fatty and spicy foods, as well as citrus fruits and foods with a lot of cocoa. Alcohol and all kinds of smoked meats are also strictly prohibited.

There are a lot of products that contribute to the production of milk. Here's what you can and should eat:

The drinking regimen is very important, which will produce breast milk in the right amount.. Tea and various fruit drinks should be drunk in a volume of at least two liters.

Green tea is a high lactation stimulating drink.. It is advisable to include dried fruit compote, caraway decoction, oregano and oatmeal jelly in the diet.

As a stimulant and tonic, you can use a decoction of dill seeds, which should be drunk warm.

A large amount of vitamins and fluids are present in melons and watermelons.. During the season they should be consumed in large quantities.

If there are problems with the quantity and quality of breast milk, it is worth studying the question of how to increase the lactation of milk with folk remedies.

Here are the most popular recipes that can be used to improve lactation and improve the quality of milk, each of which can solve the problem of interruptions in lactation:

Data folk methods help to quickly restore lactation. A sufficient amount of milk is produced, and of good quality. Before using them, you should consult a doctor to prevent various complications and not cause discomfort in the child's tummy.

To increase the amount of milk produced, doctors can prescribe not only effective folk remedies but also some medicines that will not affect the baby.

Here are the most effective means to restore lactation:

If you take these funds after consulting a doctor, you can quickly restore the process of producing breast milk.

During the period of breastfeeding, the mother needs to enter each New Product with great care. Food can not only increase the production of breast milk, but also reduce it or cause bloating in both mother and child.

At the very beginning, the diet should consist of cereals, potatoes, vegetable soups, boiled meat and weak tea. After about a week, you can enter products and preferably 50-100 grams.

If no negative reactions appear during the day, the amount of product consumed can be increased.

Along with nutrition, it is worth observing other, no less important rules:

Some physical activity is very important.. It must be moderate, since excessive activity can lead to the exact opposite reaction.

The best option would be to do daily morning exercises, organize hiking and swimming in the pool. It is extremely unacceptable to regularly lift weights.

Self-massage self-massage helps to produce milk very effectively. It is better to do this in the process of taking a shower.

The optimal movements in this case will be circular movements, as well as stroking in the direction from the periphery to the nipples. In the process of self-massage, it is worth carrying out light kneading.

A long such self-massage should be about 10 minutes.. After each session, it is worth wiping the glands dry and applying baby cream or peach oil.

Particular attention should be paid to intimate life, as it is an excellent stimulator of the lactation function of the female body.

This phenomenon is due to the fact that in the process of sexual intercourse there is a significant improvement in the general emotional state of a woman, the overall hormonal background is significantly improved.

To prevent problems with lactation, it is very important to monitor the general state of health, avoid stressful situations. It is worth combining rest and moderate physical activity.

It is important to carry out light hardening procedures, for example, a contrast shower, which will significantly improve the overall blood circulation in the mammary glands. This is an ideal prevention of a decrease in breast milk production.

Hundreds of mothers of newborn babies sooner or later think about how to increase lactation. After all, it's no secret that breast milk is the best for feeding babies, especially in the first months of life. Most conscientious mothers strive to breastfeed their babies for as long as possible, but in spite of everything, the day comes when milk gradually decreases, and the baby, accustomed to or in need of breastfeeding, becomes restless and capricious.

From this article you will learn:

First you need to calm down and not panic, urgently transferring the child to adapted mixtures, of which in stores huge selection, because the risk of losing breast milk will only increase significantly. And, despite the wide range of adapted formulas, none of them can be compared with breast milk in terms of its benefits, not to mention the allergic reactions that adapted formulas can often cause. Only women's breast milk contains substances that are so vital for the full development of the growth of the baby, for the development of the brain, for the formation nervous system. And it is mother's milk that creates a solid foundation for the baby's immunity.

On a note: From the age of 6 months, the father comes into view of the child and the connection with the mother begins to weaken, and somewhere from 12 months the child begins to let grandparents close to him.

Why does lactation of breast milk decrease?

In the female body, for a number of reasons, due to hormonal disorders, hypogalactia occurs - this is when the mammary glands reduce milk production and this is extremely rare, most often other causes that can be eliminated affect the decrease in lactation.

The first is the psychological readiness of breastfeeding, in other words, a woman herself refuses to breastfeed for a number of reasons.

The second is rare breastfeeding, when a nursing mother has little milk and doctors advise the child to supplement. Most often, this results in artificial feeding completely replaces breastfeeding.

The third is an irrational diet, both during the period of bearing a baby and during breastfeeding.

The fourth is the formation of the daily routine. Some doctors insist on feeding the child strictly by the hour, and not on demand. And during breastfeeding, the guide should still be on the needs of the newborn.

The fifth is an unfavorable psychological environment for a newly-made mother. Constant lack of sleep, stress, quarrels, the need to go to work early - all this negatively affects breastfeeding, hence the decrease in lactation.

Sixth - early introduction of complementary foods.

In the third and sixth weeks, 3 months, 4 months, 7 months and 8 months of breastfeeding an infant, a decrease in milk production may occur. In this case, you should not worry, as this phenomenon is temporary. During this period, the so-called lactation crisis occurs. The lactation crisis causes the baby's appetite to increase with the growth of the body. A growing body needs more milk, and the mother's body does not have time to orient itself in time, since it takes time to rebuild, hence the decrease in lactation. And here, from impotence and anxiety, mistakes begin. Concerned mothers begin to introduce early complementary foods, supplementary foods, or completely transfer the baby to artificial nutrition.

And only a few think about or what is the true reason for the decrease in lactation. Meanwhile, the risk of losing breast milk increases significantly.

The main thing here is to understand that the less often you put the baby to the breast, the less milk production will be.

The hardest thing for mothers is to overcome the first crisis. Having dealt with the first lactation crisis, the next time will be much easier and calmer, as the realization will come that it can be dealt with. I wrote about how to overcome the crisis of the "first year" in a child in.

How to increase lactation by eating right?

Many mothers during breastfeeding have heard more than once that they need to eat for two, but this is not entirely true. The main thing is that the diet fully satisfies the nutritional needs of a nursing mother. Also, the food consumed should be completely balanced, it should include: proteins, vitamins necessary for a growing body. Be sure to include in the diet: cottage cheese at least 150 grams, kefir or milk at least 250 grams, protein products (fish, poultry breast, veal) at least 200 grams and, of course, hard cheese at least 30 grams per day.

The drinking regime in increasing lactation is no less important. You must drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day.

If desired, the diet of a nursing mother can be replenished with special teas, mixtures designed to increase lactation. Before feeding, you can drink a cup of warm tea with the addition of milk.

Increase lactation with drinks

There are many plants that increase lactation: carrot, licorice, dandelion, lettuce, radish, dill, nettle, rosehip, lemon balm, cumin, yarrow, fennel anise, mint, oregano. These plants can be taken both in the form of teas and in the form of decoctions, juices and tinctures.

How to make carrot juice to increase lactation

Take a peeled carrot and grate it on a fine grater. After that, squeeze the juice, pour it into a glass and take half a glass twice a day. To make the taste not so nasty, you can add a small amount of honey or milk to the juice.

Cooking carrot milkshake

Grate carrots on a fine grater, then take three tablespoons of carrots and put in a glass. Pour warm milk into the same glass, filling it to the brim. You can add a teaspoon of honey if you like. But do not abuse honey - honey is an allergen. Carrot smoothie take 1 glass twice a day.

How to prepare a decoction of dill seeds

You will need one tablespoon of dill seeds and one cup of boiling water. Take dill seeds and pour them with boiling water, let it brew for one hour, strain the broth and take half a glass twice a day.

Preparing a cocktail walnuts with milk

Grind 14 walnut kernels walnut kernels and pour 500 ml of boiling milk over them, mix and leave to infuse for two hours. Take before feeding 70 grams.

How to increase and maintain lactation

The first is the stimulation of lactation through frequent feeding.

Productive and frequent suckling of the baby at the breast increases the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for the production of breast milk. Therefore, as soon as you notice a decrease in lactation, start putting the baby to the breast as often as possible and, as practice shows, the results will not be long in coming.

Contribute best increased lactation night feedings from 3.00 to 8.00 in the morning, since it is at this time that the hormone prolactin is more productively produced.

Massage to increase breast milk

Lubricate your palms with massage oil. Place your right palm on your chest, and with your left palm, grasp your chest from below. Gently massage your chest in circular motions. Massage is done strictly clockwise. For the effect, massage should be done for 3 minutes. After the massage, the chest should be thoroughly washed, Special attention should be given to the nipples and the halo.

Contrast shower or improve lactation

Direct elastic jets of water in a circular motion on the chest, gradually changing the temperature of the water, starting from warm temperatures and going down to more low temperatures but not cold. In conclusion, substitute your back - the spine - under the elastic jets of water.

A nursing mother must definitely find time for a good rest, therefore, in such a difficult period, it is especially important for her to have close and dear people nearby. If the night was restless, and the child did not let him sleep, then it is imperative to allocate time for daytime sleep. Walk on fresh air will benefit both the child and the nursing mother.

If you notice a decrease in breast milk lactation, then you should not be afraid, succumbing to panic and withdrawing into yourself, ask experienced mothers for advice or consult a pediatrician, he will definitely tell you what to do.

Be healthy, love yourself and your loved ones!

The baby is going through a difficult period - the transition to life outside the mother's body. Nature has provided a special mechanism for easy and painless adaptation - breastfeeding. WHO states that the ideal food for young children is breast milk. Realizing this, many young mothers are wondering how to increase lactation in order to provide the child with good nutrition without the addition of artificial mixtures.

The rate of production and quality of breast milk

Nursing mothers often suffer from doubts about the quantity and quality of their milk. In such a situation, the question often arises: is there any norm that reflects ideal indicators?

Numerous studies have confirmed that throughout the day the rate of milk synthesis is not constant and is inversely proportional to the fullness of the breast: the more it is emptied, the faster and more milk appears in it. Therefore, it is not advisable to talk about the norms for the production of this product: it is individual in relation to each woman and her baby.

The same can be noted about the quality of breast milk. Its nutritional value changes not only depending on the age of the child, adjusting to his needs, but also during each feeding: the first portions are designed to give the child more to drink and therefore watery. The liquid produced further is more fatty and nutritious.

Therefore, it is difficult to establish the actual nutritional value of breast milk, it can only be judged by focusing on the child's weight gain, his behavior during sleep and wakefulness. However, these indicators are indirect and do not always directly depend on the quality of mother's milk.

Why breast milk disappears: common causes of reduced lactation

The lack of mother's milk from the first days of its production, called primary hypogalactia, occurs due to hormonal disruptions, postpartum complications and underdevelopment of the female mammary glands. Such a phenomenon occurs infrequently.

Usually, young mothers are faced with secondary hypogalactia, when at the initial stage milk is produced in full volume, and then lactation decreases.

During breastfeeding, physiological conditions sometimes make themselves felt, accompanied by a decrease in milk production - lactation crises. In medical practice, it is believed that they are based on the adjustment of the mother's body to the growing needs of the baby, and it cannot happen at lightning speed.

Inadequate milk production is often the result of the wrong actions of the mother:

  • Feeding the baby according to a strict schedule in compliance with well-established intervals.
  • Strict time frame for each feeding.
  • Incorrect application technique. The mammary glands are not stimulated enough if the baby does not latch on to the nipple properly.
  • Uncomfortable posture of the mother: any tension in the process of feeding negatively affects the separation of milk.
  • Supplementing a baby without a serious reason. Water gives the child an imaginary satiety, since the centers of saturation and thirst, due to age-related anatomical features, are located close to each other.
  • Use of bottles and pacifiers. Satisfying the natural natural need for sucking at their expense, the baby will stimulate the mother's breast less, and this reduces lactation.
  • Attempts to create a dairy reserve. The mammary glands work on demand: the more milk came out of the breast, the more will appear again. Left "in reserve" is perceived by the body as an unclaimed surplus.
  • Refusal of night feedings, the most important for lactation.
  • Separate location of the child and mother.
  • Women's perception of breastfeeding as an ordeal. So she personally complicates the situation, obsessing over a possible (often hypothetical) lack of milk. The stress experienced by a woman does not affect prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production, but it affects another hormone, oxytocin, which acts on the release of fluid from the breast. Therefore, under stress, this process becomes more difficult: this is a natural protective mechanism that prevents milk loss during difficult periods of life.
  • Lack of rest and sleep. Days spent in worries and sleepless nights are a standard situation for a mother of a baby.
  • Taking medications. Some of them are able to disrupt the hormonal regulation of lactation.

In most cases, it is possible to increase lactation by eliminating the listed factors and without taking additional measures.

Signs of a lack of milk

It is important for a nursing mother to be able to separate imaginary signs of a lack of milk from a real decrease in lactation.

Lack of lactation: an imaginary problem

“The baby is not full” is a popular misconception among young mothers, which results in supplementary feeding with milk mixtures, the baby getting used to the bottle and already a real decrease in milk production.

In many cases, mothers' concerns about lactation problems are unfounded.

  • The baby often asks for a breast. This is not always a sign of hunger: perhaps the baby needs communication with his mother or satisfaction of the need to suckle. If an hour has passed after feeding, he could really get hungry: mom's milk is absorbed faster than an artificial mixture.
  • Baby anxiety. The reasons for this behavior can be varied, and they are not always associated with hunger.
  • Sensation of soft, not filled breasts, lack of "tides" before feeding. If the baby is fed on demand, the production of milk adjusts to this regime, it arrives when applied.
  • The baby does not refuse the bottle after feeding. In fact, many babies, even when fully satiated, are not averse to giving free rein to the sucking reflex, moreover, it is easier to do this with a bottle or nipple than with a breast.
  • Lack of milk when expressing. With established lactation, it is produced depending on the needs of the baby, so there is no need for this procedure.

Reliable signs of reduced lactation

Medical practice recognizes only two criteria for assessing the sufficiency of lactation as reliable:

  • Counting the number of urinations of the child during the day. Disposable diapers and supplements for this period should be excluded. 10-12 or more wet diapers in 24 hours is an indicator that the baby has enough milk. If there are fewer of them, we can talk about insufficient lactation.
  • Weighing. If the baby is healthy and has enough mother's milk, monthly weight gain will be from 0.6 to 2 kg, and an average of 120 g weekly.

An additional guideline for assessing the sufficiency of lactation may be the stool of the baby. On average, a breastfed child has 6-8 bowel movements per day, feces have a mushy consistency and a yellowish color. Prolonged absence of stools sometimes indicates "hungry constipation" caused by a lack of breast milk. However, this sign is not always informative in itself. If available, a wet diaper test is recommended.

Mother's milk or formula?

With an obvious decrease in lactation, all measures should be taken to restore it, since today all studies confirm that breastfeeding provides significant benefits for the child and his mother.

The uniqueness of mother's milk lies in its ability to change the composition based on the needs of the child. different stages development, in different time days and even during each individual feeding.

This product contains proteins, fats and carbohydrates in a ratio that is optimal for a child. early age. In addition, it contains immune cells, immunoglobulins and several types of bifidobacteria. This composition not only contributes full development baby, but also increases the resistance of his body to foreign agents and forms the correct microflora in the intestine.

Unlike artificial formulas, breast milk has optimal temperature, never stale or falsified, always sterile.

Breast sucking helps the baby to form a correct bite and facilitates the process of teething the first teeth.

None of the highest quality milk formulas will provide the baby with nutrition that meets his needs like mother's milk.

With an obvious decrease in lactation, it is not advisable to immediately transfer the baby to artificial nutrition. The best option would be to go to mixed feeding. At the same time, measures should be taken to restore lactation, gradually reducing the amount of supplementary feeding.

How to increase lactation

If the lack of milk has become obvious, do not immediately panic. Often simple measures help to increase lactation to the required level.

Stimulation of milk production

  • It is necessary to evaluate how correctly the child is applied to the breast, if necessary, changing the technique to the correct one.
  • To stimulate lactation, frequent applications are important, at least every 1.5-2 hours during the day, at night - after 4 hours. Night feedings are very valuable for milk production, so you should not refuse them.
  • You can take the baby from the breast only after he releases it himself.
  • To increase lactation, close physical contact between mother and baby is important: carrying on hands, sleeping together.
  • Do not supplement the baby with water unless absolutely necessary.
  • Mom should forget about the fears associated with a lack of milk, and relax - in the truest sense of the word. A woman needs to learn how to find an opportunity for rest and good sleep.
  • Breast massage is useful, which is done between feedings with kneading and stroking movements. Massage manipulations are periodically interrupted to express some milk.
  • If the goal is to increase lactation, pacifiers and bottles should not be used. Supplementary feeding is offered to the child from a spoon, from a cup, using a syringe without a needle.

In addition to these methods, it is worth paying attention to the diet: foods eaten can affect milk production in different ways.

Products that increase lactation

A complete diet will not only help solve problems with lactation, but also prevent disorders in the mother's body during breastfeeding. It is worth paying attention to the following products:

  • Fatty fish.
  • Low-fat cheese and cottage cheese.
  • Walnuts.
  • Beekeeping products: royal jelly, honey, perga, royal jelly (use in the absence of allergies in infants).
  • Dried fruits.
  • Weak meat broths and soups cooked on them.
  • Carrot.
  • Buckwheat and oatmeal.

Sometimes it seems to a nursing mother that she has low-fat breast milk or there is too little of it, how to increase lactation in the most difficult situations and make your milk high-calorie?

Breast milk is given to a woman by nature itself. Every mammal is able to feed its young. So why do we sometimes have problems with this? How to increase lactation of breast milk at home and keep it for a long time, ideally for 2 years, as recommended by WHO. But at least until 6-8 months, when the child gradually begins to switch to adult food? These deadlines are very important to meet for various reasons:

  • material (adapted milk and sour-milk mixtures are not cheap, and sometimes they need to be changed, since the composition may not be suitable for the child);
  • artificial nutrition often provokes stool disorders in a child;
  • bottle feeding at times increases the risk of intestinal infections in the baby;
  • the child will most likely need a dummy, and more than one year;
  • the immunity of the baby will be at a lower level than that of his peers who feed exclusively on mother's milk.

How to understand that the child does not have enough milk and you need to increase lactation

There are false and true signals. The softness of the mammary glands belongs to the false ones. By the way, this is a common misconception. Even among pediatricians. But if the breast seems empty, while the woman breastfeeds often and does not supplement the child, this does not mean anything. Apparently, the baby sucked out the front milk from mommy. But there is also a back. One that is rich in fats and nutrients. Due to which the child gains weight.

Babies often cry while feeding. Doctors again say that this is due to a lack of milk. Especially if it happens in the late afternoon, when the chest becomes soft. In fact, a child may cry because of an uncomfortable posture when feeding. For example, many mothers feed their children lying down. Moreover, they lie on their backs, and their heads are turned to their mother's nipple. Try to drink yourself in this position and understand the displeasure of the baby.

Another common cause of infant crying while feeding is lactase deficiency. With her, during feeding, the child also rumbles in the stomach. And there are violations of the stool - it is green, plentiful and frothy. Children with lactase deficiency suffer from gas formation, sleep poorly and gain little weight, as a rule.

Breastfeeding experts say that this technique will not show how much milk a woman has in her breasts. Very few people can express it completely. It is almost impossible to express milk from the posterior lobes of the mammary gland in this way. And few women know how to express fruitfully, correctly.

Another "research" that pediatricians often recommend is control feeding. But it can only be suitable for those children who are fed according to the regimen. For example, classically 1 time in 3 hours. By the next feeding, the babies have time to get hungry and suck well. But if the child is fed on demand, if he is small and weak, then in 30-40 minutes he can suck out very little milk, doze off at the breast. But after 30-60 minutes, eat everything that is due.

Another way to find out if a baby is hungry is to offer him a bottle of formula or his own expressed milk. Only necessary after feeding. If he sucks a lot, he will suck with pleasure, apparently, he really wants to eat.

But most the best way will count the number of wet diapers. Children of the first months of life should urinate at least 10-12 times a day. If you are used to using disposable diapers and don't mind spending a little more disposable diapers per day - get diapers that show a control line when they get wet. When a strip appears, you should immediately put on a new diaper, and put this one aside. Such a stripe is on diapers "Pampers Premium Care" and "Haggis Elite Soft", for example. The number of diapers used will equal the number of urinations.

If this option does not suit you either, then try weighing the diaper before and after use. Small children should urinate about 300-350 grams per day, no less.

Any of these calculations will be informative only if the child does not receive any additional drink, for example, he is not given water.

Looking at the number of bowel movements is not informative. A breastfed child with absolutely adequate nutrition can defecate both 1 time per day and 7. Or 1 time in several days, if the mother's milk is good, completely absorbed by the body.

Drugs and products that increase lactation of breast milk

What should you eat to get more milk? Unfortunately, the amount of milk does not directly depend on the products. You can eat a lot, but there will be no more milk from this. Milk comes in response to irritation of the nipples and their areola. The more often the nipples break out, the more the lactation hormone, prolactin, will be produced, and the more frequent will be the release of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes the approach of breast milk from the posterior lobes of the mammary glands to the nipples.

As for products, walnuts are usually recommended. Allegedly, not only will there be more milk from them, but also its composition will become better, fatter, more nutritious for the child. In fact, every woman's milk is divided into two types - anterior, low-fat - a drink for a child, and fat - from the back lobes. In order for the baby to receive fatty milk, it needs to be kept at one breast longer. Try to give as much as possible only one breast per feeding.

An increase in lactation may in some way be facilitated by an increase in the amount of fluid consumed. It can be ordinary water, sour-milk drinks. Summer watermelon. But you should not get too carried away with watermelons, as they increase appetite and contain a lot of sugar. You can drink coffee and tea, but in moderation and not strong. A lactating woman should consume at least 2.5 liters of fluid per day. This volume also includes liquid dishes - soups, borscht, etc.

But various folk remedies and methods that increase milk lactation at home should be used very carefully. Often, various herbs and spices are offered for these purposes, for example, fennel, anise, cumin. But the use of some of them can provoke the development of an allergic reaction in a child and change the taste of milk, which will also adversely affect lactation.
Drugs that increase lactation of breast milk also do not have scientifically proven efficacy and safety. These are common dietary supplements. And also often containing allergens. Is it worth the risk?

The reasons why milk disappears from a nursing mother and methods for resolving the situation

In order not to try incomprehensible methods and means on yourself, it is better to understand the causes of poor lactation and eliminate them.

1. Bad sleep. How trite it is. A woman should sleep at least 7-8 hours a day. If you can't get enough sleep at night, you need to sleep during the day. Let with the child. They say that 2-3 days in bed with a baby helps to significantly increase the amount of breast milk better than any dietary supplements.

2. Insufficient, unvaried nutrition. Of course, all the nutrients will still get into the milk. But mommy vitamins may not be enough. And from there fatigue and, as a result, weak lactation. Even if your child is prone to allergic reactions, try to make your diet sufficiently high-calorie, varied and tasty.

3. Bad mood, stress. If mom is sick psychological condition, then she is not up to feeding and not up to the child. Severe stress, such as loss loved one, can almost immediately lead to the "burnout" of milk.

4. Rare attachment of the child. If the child is applied 5-7 times a day, lactation may begin to fade. Feeding “on schedule” is especially dangerous in the first weeks after the birth of a child, when lactation is being established. Do you want more milk? Attach the baby more often to the chest. Even if it seems empty to you.

5. Lack of night feedings. Sleeping well at night is a necessity for both mom and baby. But don't forget about feeding. After all, it is night feedings that help increase the amount of breast milk due to the production of the hormone prolactin.

To sleep was as calm as possible, you can put the child next to you. Sleep together. If this is unacceptable for you, lower the side of the crib and put it against your bed. Then it will be possible to give the baby a breast in a prone position, while not getting out of bed herself.

6. Frequent pacifier sucking. The more often the baby sucks on a pacifier, the less is applied to the breast and stimulates it. Remove the pacifier and let the baby breastfeed. In addition, the pacifier does not contribute to the formation of the correct bite in the child. And often, babies who suck on a pacifier begin to breastfeed incorrectly. This leads to an even greater decrease in lactation and lactostasis in the mother.

6. The rapid growth of the child. When he acquires new skills, for example, learning to roll over. At these moments and in the future, growth spurts are observed and more and more nutrition is required. However, with regular feeding, the breast begins to produce more milk within a few days, according to the requirements of the child. The so-called lactation crisis is a temporary phenomenon. There are such growth jumps in the third, sixth weeks of a child's life, at 3.6, 12 months. Of course, the timing is very indicative and may vary from child to child. So, at 3 months, the baby learns to roll over, begins to distinguish many colors, people's faces, etc. At 6-7 months, he learns to crawl, sit, stand at a support. And closer to the year begins to walk.

There is another, rather controversial way to increase the milk of a nursing mother during lactation - this is pumping milk. Mommy feeds the baby with one breast, and after feeding, she expresses it literally to the last drop. And in the next feeding, milk comes a little more, exactly as much as she expressed. Expressing breast milk to increase lactation is an outdated and rather harmful method, since mommy can provoke excess milk in herself. The child will not be able to suck out so much, and lactostasis is formed - milk stagnation.

As you can see, there are a lot of nuances. For an experienced mom breastfeeding more than her first child, everything can be crystal clear. And for a primipara, the same lactation crisis may be the reason for transferring the child to mixed or artificial feeding.

If you are in doubt about the quality or quantity of your milk, visit your pediatrician and have your baby weighed. If the weight gain is slightly less than normal, it is enough just to take measures to increase the amount of milk, start feeding the baby often, and very soon everything will work out.


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When a baby is born, it becomes the main concern of a young mother. All her thoughts are only about not harming, but, on the contrary, improving the condition of the newborn. And a particularly frequent anxiety is an imaginary lack of milk. There are many and traditional methods, but you can learn how to increase the lactation of breast milk with folk remedies and make a choice of what to use.

Often the lack of milk is just a far-fetched, imaginary problem. Usually parents and relatives are guided by the behavior of the baby. If he is whiny, often asks for breasts and “hangs” on it for a long time, this does not mean at all that he is hungry. Perhaps something hurts him, he does not like the environment around him, or just a thread got into the intercutaneous fold and interferes with him. And he uses his mother's breasts to calm down, because it is so warm and smells like her.

These signs indicate that the child is malnourished:

  1. Small set in weight. Usually, after birth, the baby loses some weight. He should finally reach his birth weight by two weeks. But if this does not happen or the monthly set is too small, control weighing is done before and after feeding. They also monitor the dynamics for two weeks by daily weighing.
  2. Count the number of pee. A newborn should write at least 12 times a day. To do this, do not wear a diaper for at least one or two days.
  3. Rare and small stools are also an indicator of underfeeding. Another inclusion of green mucus is an indicator of the so-called "hungry" stool.

These are the real criteria for the lack of mother's milk. If there are at least 1 - 2, then it is worth contacting a pediatrician or a lactation consultant to advise you on some kind of treatment.

There are times when there is no milk at all. This is called hypolactation. It is primary and secondary. In the first case, this is not the arrival of milk from the very first days. And in the second - a sharp disappearance of milk.

Less than 3% of women suffer from hypolactation, so do not panic. It must be treated under medical supervision.

Any doctor and consultant, when contacting a nursing mother with a problem of how to increase lactation, will immediately tell you to pay attention to your diet. It should be complete and nutritious, but it should not be a huge amount of calories. Since the extra calories will remain with the mother on the sides, and not on the cheeks of the baby.

So forget the old "eat for two" rule. You need a lot of proteins, proper carbohydrates and some fats. In this case, the food will be of high quality, everything will be enough for the baby and mother. Be sure to include in the mother's diet:

  • meat;
  • fish;
  • eggs;
  • milk;
  • dairy products;
  • cottage cheese;
  • vegetables;
  • fruits.

But you should forget about smoked meats, sweets, foods that can cause allergies, fast foods.

Be sure to drink pure still water. A breastfeeding woman should take at least 2.5 liters of fluid. However, this volume does not include dairy products and juices.

The newborn needs to be fed on demand. He will build his own daily routine, but first you need to adapt to each other, teach the baby to suckle correctly, find the correct and comfortable feeding positions for the two of you. Night feedings are especially important in the development of milk lactation. From 3 am to 8 am is the time to set the milk volume for the whole day. Therefore, try to feed during this period at least once.

It is also necessary to hug and hold the baby as often as possible. All the "horror stories" about the fact that it will be manual are just myths. Once he learns to walk and crawl, he won't need it. And now he needs the warmth and care of his mother.

No need to worry, because various stresses and depressions can cause milk loss. The mother needs rest.

Her only concern should be the newborn. Therefore, consult with your husband about what household duties he can take on while the child is still very young.

Folk remedies for lactation

Folk remedies for improving lactation are various herbs, infusions, decoctions, juices and much more. Most often, a young mother learns about them from the older generation. Here are some tips to listen to. After all, these recipes were collected not even for years, but for centuries.

The main folk remedies for increasing lactation are decoctions and infusions of herbs. The following herbs are helpful:

  • raspberry leaves;
  • fennel;
  • nettle;
  • field alfalfa;
  • thistle;
  • caraway;
  • chamomile;
  • dandelion and others.

In addition to increasing the amount of milk, these herbs have many other benefits. positive qualities. In particular, raspberry leaves help the uterus bounce back after childbirth, thistle treats postpartum depression.

To simplify, you can take ready-made lactagon fees at the pharmacy. They are currently available in a wide range. Russian producers compete well with imports in terms of quality and win in price.

You can also brew any of the herbs listed above yourself, according to the instructions attached to them. Usually drink such herbal teas from 1 to 3 glasses a day.

Cumin can be boiled in milk. To do this, pour a teaspoon of cumin with a glass of milk and bring to a boil. Cool and drink 1 glass a day.

For proper digestion of the baby and to increase lactation, they drink a decoction of fennel. To do this, pour a tablespoon of fennel seeds into 200 ml of boiling water and let it brew for 2 hours. Strain and drink 0.5 cups of infusion twice a day.

Folk remedies for lactation also include various juices. The most famous are carrot, apple and blackcurrant. They are especially good freshly squeezed.

In freshly squeezed carrot juice (1 cup), add a couple of tablespoons of milk and a little cumin seeds. Beat with a blender. Drink this cocktail once a day, preferably in the morning.

Add a few tablespoons of decoction of raspberry leaves to a glass of currant juice. Mix well. Drink 0.5 cups a day.

You can mix juices: apple-carrot or apple-currant.

To increase lactation, nuts are used - walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts. But do not forget that nuts are a very allergenic product. Therefore, at the beginning it is necessary to try one thing and look at the reaction of the child's body. If everything is in order, then you can eat 5-6 pieces a day.

Very tasty and healthy nut milk. To prepare it, pour a handful of nuts into a blender, chop them. Add two cups of milk and beat until smooth. The resulting milkshake can be drunk no more than 2-3 times a week.

Ordinary butter (which also has milk-increasing power) can be substituted for nut butter. For her, put 2 cups of nuts in a blender and grind until flour. Then add 2-3 tablespoons of butter and beat well until smooth. This paste can be simply spread on bread or added to various dishes.

Drinking warm tea with milk 30 minutes before feeding helps a lot for lactation.

Bee products are also praised, believing that they increase milk production. Honey can be eaten with tea or added to some dishes. But do not add it to hot drinks, as high temperature it loses its healing properties.

Medicine for breastfeeding

Medicine also does not stand still and thinks about how to improve lactation. Many drugs have been invented to increase milk. The most famous are Apilak, Femilak and Laktogon. Since they are plant and uterine based, they are harmless to the health of the baby.

You can try homeopathic remedies. "Mlecoin" is one of those medicines that are advised to mothers. But before choosing any of the drugs, you need to consult a specialist, as they can cause allergies or food intolerances.

In addition, if there was still no special need, then these drugs and remedies will unnecessarily increase hot flashes, and then you may have to undergo treatment for lactostasis, which can turn into mastitis. The latter can only be treated surgically.

It is understandable that any mother worries about her baby being full. But the main thing is that this excitement is not transmitted to the baby, he needs a calm and self-confident mother. If you don’t get nervous and worried once again, but feed the baby on demand, eat well, then the baby will have enough food. But herbal teas won't do any harm. They have a pleasant taste and aroma and have positive properties. And other folk remedies have practically no contraindications. Therefore, use them for pleasure to increase the lactation of milk, and you will not have to worry about anything.