Breast milk is considered the most favorable food for a baby. But there are times when it is not enough. In this situation, it is extremely important for mothers to know how to increase lactation so as not to deprive the baby of components important for its development. The recommendations below will help you identify the causes, signs of a lack of milk, and how to solve the problem.
Physiology of the process
Lactation is a physiological process, which consists in the production and accumulation of breast milk by the mammary glands. It is carried out under the influence of hormones of a nursing woman. One of them is prolactin. Released by the pituitary gland and stimulates the production of milk, which accumulates in the milk tract.
Another important hormone is oxytocin, which is released when a baby suckles. The baby stimulates muscle contraction in the milky ways, stimulating milk production. Thanks to oxytocin,uterine contraction, which helps to return to prenatal size faster and reduce bleeding.
On the first day of motherhood, a woman's breasts secrete colostrum. Sometimes it can appear during pregnancy. In this case, it should not be squeezed out so that preterm labor does not occur.
Colostrum contains a lot of nutrients, immunoglobulins and other components important for the development of a newborn. It is not broken down in the gastrointestinal tract, but is instantly absorbed in the intestines of the child. Around day 3-5, colostrum is replaced by milk.
Lactation crises
Practically every breastfeeding mother felt the lack of milk for the baby. This is due to the lactation crisis. A decrease in the amount of milk produced occurs under the influence of changes in the hormonal background of a woman. Fortunately, this period does not last long, from 3 to 8 days.
Depending on the physiology of the mother, the timing of the onset of the crisis may vary. But most often they occur on days 7-14, 30-35, and also 3-3, 5 months after childbirth. To calmly endure a period of crisis, you need to use the tips below.
What factors affect lactation?
The amount of milk and the duration of feeding is different for each mother. There are such factors responsible for the level of lactation:
- Child's appetite. There are active suckers and passive ones. Babies experience different needs for being at the mother's breast, which depends on individual characteristics. This can be understood by the amount of weight,collected monthly. Depending on the needs of the child, lactation may vary. And also the amount of milk produced can decrease during the illness of the baby. In this case, lactation will be restored after his recovery.
- Age of the child. Children of the first month of life eat an average of 600 grams of milk per day, and the fourth - already 900 grams.
- Mother's well-being. Constant lack of sleep and fatigue can affect the level of lactation in a woman. Therefore, it is important to enlist the help of relatives and regularly arrange a good rest. In this case, you can combine sleeping in the same bed with the child.
- Lack of fluid in the body. The daily norm is two liters of water, no less. This amount includes any liquid that enters the woman's stomach. Fruit or a bottle of water taken for a walk will help maintain water balance.
- Menstrual cycle and time of day. Under the influence of hormones, lactation decreases in the evening. But feeding should take place, despite a small rush of milk. At night, it is advisable to apply the baby to the breast, since during this period the lactation hormone prolactin is actively produced. During critical days, milk may be added more slowly and in smaller quantities.
Don't stop breastfeeding your baby. If the amount of milk varies during the day, then you can express a small part of the milk during the period when there is a lot of it, and supplement it during the shortage. But you need to do this not from a bottle, but from a spoon, syringe ordrinker.
Signs of a lack of milk
Mommies often feel like their baby is not getting enough food. You can understand this by the following signs:
- The child began to gain little weight in the absence of lactase deficiency. In the first 3-4 months, children gain an average of 600 grams per month. If the figure is less, then this may indicate malnutrition. To remedy the situation, you need to feed the baby more often and not remove it from the chest during superficial sleep, the characteristic signs of which are the movement of the eyeballs under the eyelids and twitching of the limbs. If the child sleeps for a long time, then you can wake him up.
- Little amount of urination. Children on the 10th day of life on average urinate 10-12 times a day. The counting method can be used if the baby is not receiving other fluids or supplements.
- The baby is restless and crying while suckling. If at the same time the child does not hear how the gases come out, the seething in the stomach and the stomach is not tense, then we can talk about an insufficient amount of milk. You can offer your baby a different breast if it feels fuller.
Short intervals between feedings. At the same time, the baby asks for a breast every half an hour, greedily grabbing it. Perhaps the mother has little milk, or a lot, and the child cannot fully fix it in the mouth. In this case, you need to express the excess
If the baby has one or more signs of insufficient lactation, then you need to use the methods below. They will help how to increase lactationmilk at home, and extend it over time.
Feeding baby on demand
Lactation is established during the first 3-4 months of a child's life. If the baby is younger, then you need to stimulate the production of breast milk. Do not feed your baby on a schedule. The child knows better when he wants to eat. No need to refuse to feed a child, even when he asks for a breast too often. Perhaps he simply did not have time to get to the hind milk, which is more nutritious. Frequent breastfeeding additionally stimulates the level of prolactin and oxytocin, which cope with the task of increasing milk supply at home.
Night feeds
The level of prolactin, which is responsible for the production of milk, constantly changes throughout the day. At night, it reaches its maximum level. The most favorable hours are considered from 3 to 8 in the morning. To improve lactation, it is advisable to conduct at least two feedings at night.
Sharing a child
Skin to skin contact has a beneficial effect on a woman's lactation levels. Therefore, it is necessary to spend as much time as possible with the baby. It is important to carry it in your arms, hugging you, and also to sleep together. This method will help both increase the lactation of breast milk, and better relax and rest the nursing mother.
Correct attachment
For new mothers concerned about how to increase their breast milk supply, it is important to make sure that the baby is properly attached to her. During feeding, the child mustcapture the areola of the nipple. Otherwise, the baby will swallow a lot of air, filling the stomach with it. In this case, the child eats less than it should, thereby reducing milk production. A woman during feeding should take the most comfortable position in which she can relax as much as possible.
Traditional medicine
You can increase lactation with the help of medicinal plants that have lactogenic properties. Traditional medicine helps to cope with the task of increasing breast milk lactation at home.
The most effective herbs are: fennel, rosehip, nettle, anise, licorice and carrots. They are used in the following recipes:
- Anise infusion. 2 tsp seeds brew 1 tbsp. boiling water, then let it brew. Take three times a day, 10 g 30 minutes before meals.
- Carrot juice. It is considered the most effective product that increases milk lactation. The vegetable is rubbed on a fine grater and squeezed. The juice of one carrot is taken twice a day, diluted with cream or milk.
- Infusion of cumin. Brew 1 tsp. seeds in a glass of boiling milk. The decoction should be infused for two hours. Take the infusion 15 minutes before each feeding for half a cup. Ground cumin is also added to prepared dishes with several seeds. Thus, you can not only cope with such a task as increasing lactation at home, but also remove colic in the baby.
- Tea with lemon balm and oregano. Accept before everyonefeeding in 15 minutes.
- Infusion of leaf lettuce. 1 tsp is crushed in a mortar. seeds and brewed with a decoction of boiling water and infused for three hours. Ready infusion is consumed 3-4 times a day for half a glass.
- Barley coffee or decoction, as well as blackthorn juice, have a positive effect on the amount of milk.
It is important to know that herbs such as mint, parsley and sage suppress lactation. Therefore, they are not used in the preparation of decoctions and infusions.
Full rest and walks
Sleep of a nursing mother should be at least 8-10 hours a day. Therefore, it is necessary to fill up in the daytime if the night's sleep was inadequate or the woman feels overtired. It is also helpful to spend time outdoors every day, at least two hours a day. The absence of stress, a calm atmosphere in the family and proper rest will help increase milk lactation.
Drugs to improve lactation
Medicines have gained their popularity among women due to their effectiveness and rapid achievement of the desired result. Drugs to improve lactation are divided into:
- homeopathic remedies;
- biologically active additives (BAA);
- multivitamin complexes;
- special teas;
- hormonal drugs.
The safest are special teas, which include medicinal plants and royal jelly, as well as multivitamin complexes and products that increase breast milk lactation. Hormonal drugs likeusually prescribed by a doctor after an additional examination.
Hormonal drugs
These lactation boosters are based on estrogen and progesterone. These hormones help increase the amount of prolactin, which is responsible for the amount of milk in the mother. The doctor prescribes the safest scheme for stimulating lactation, and also constantly monitors the woman's he alth, since there is a risk of uterine bleeding. And there may also be manifestations of such signs as swelling of the uterine glands and pain in the chest while feeding the baby.
"Domleridon" - is the most effective drug that can cope with such a task as increasing lactation during breastfeeding. Take the medicine 30 minutes before meals, 10 mg three times a day. The visible effect occurs 3-4 days after the start of the course. Cancel the drug gradually, reducing the dosage to one tablet per day, observing the production of milk for 4-5 days.
Homeopathic remedies
The composition of such products includes plant extracts that contribute to the production of milk. Preparations can be produced in the form of granules, capsules, tablets. Their main advantage is the natural composition of homeopathic remedies.
"Mlecoin" is a drug based on stinging nettle, which has a beneficial effect on the endocrine system and stimulates the production of the pituitary gland, which is responsible for lactation. And also the composition includes sleep herb, which improves blood circulation, activatesthe production of breast milk, and the Abraham tree, which improves mood. Take the drug 5-10 granules 30 minutes before meals.
Vitamin complexes
Before using this lactation improver, the exact cause of the lack of milk should be identified. Vitamin complexes are used with a lack of nutrients in a woman's body, as well as overwork.
"Materna" is an effective tool that copes with such a task as increasing lactation. The complex compensates for the lack of vitamins and nutrients, but can cause an allergic reaction in the baby. Take 1 tablet after meals once a day for one month.
"Elevit" - a complex of vitamins for mothers, helps to establish lactation. Take one tablet per day. The composition of the drug does not contain iodine, so it must be replenished additionally.
So, a breastfeeding mother may experience a shortage of milk. In order to cope with the problem of increased lactation, it is very important to identify the true cause. Perhaps the woman does not properly attach the baby to the breast, or the baby quickly falls asleep. By the signs listed above, you can understand whether the child has enough milk or not, as well as how to increase lactation with the help of traditional medicine and medications.
