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 that a new mother often does not possess. Breastfeeding is one of the most important topics that concern a woman at this life stage. How to increase the amount of breast milk? This is a question that is often asked by worried mothers of babies. A complete answer to it can be obtained by studying the available information about the process of lactation and the characteristics of feeding a child.
Breast Anatomy
The breast of an adult woman consists of several types of tissues: glandular, connective and fatty. In the alveoli of the glandular tissue, there is a constant production and storage of milk. From there, it enters the alveolar ducts, which combine into larger ones that go to the nipple. The areola is where the sebaceous and sweat glands are located. The first produce fat, which performs a softening and protective function. Montgomery's glands are also 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 adipose tissue has a protective one. The system of blood capillaries and small vessels delivers nutrients to the mammary gland that are needed for milk production. And the lymphatic system carries away the biological waste of the processes occurring in the female breast. Nerves provide a constant connection to the brain.
Women's breasts have several lobes. Each consists of alveoli associated with one main duct and many smaller ones. According to recent studies, the number of lobes in each breast varies from 7 to 10 pieces.
Physiology of lactation
The main physiological principle of lactation is very simple: the more milk the baby sucks, the more of this nutrient fluid is produced in the mammary gland. When the baby is attached to the breast, the maternal brain receives a signal that stimulates the production of oxytocin. This hormone affects the movement of milk through the ducts. And in the empty alveoli, its production begins in even greater quantities than it was before this feeding. The oxytocin reflex or milk ejection reflex can be felt with tingling in the chest, heaviness in the mammary glands, increased thirst.
Knowing this process gives you an understanding of 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 production of milk for a particular child. If the mammary gland is full, then it givescommand to the alveoli, temporarily suspend work. When the baby sucks milk from the breast, the alveoli start producing it again.
Causes affecting lactation
Anxious young mothers often ask the question: "Why has the amount of breast milk decreased?". In this case, women rely on subjective assessments of the child's behavior and the state of the gland. The 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?" Mothers independently make inadequate diagnoses for themselves, for example, hypogalactia, which is a pathological condition associated with a decrease in the volume of lactation or its duration. However, true failures of breast function occur in less than 3% of women in the postpartum period. And usually this is due to hormonal and somatic disorders of the mother's he alth.
If she and the baby are physically he althy, then most often the reasons for the decrease in the amount of milk are in the technique of applying the baby to the breast and the peculiarities of the organization of feeding. These include:
- Irregular feeding leads to insufficient stimulation of the mammary gland and the natural fading of the oxytocin reflex.
- Due to improper attachment, quite a lot of milk remains in the gland, which the baby does not suck out, so its production decreases. And then a logical question arises: "How to increase lactation while breastfeeding?".
- Accelerated breast change (earlier than 1.5-2 hours) leads to insufficientbreast fullness at the next feeding, so the baby receives a portion of milk that does not meet his needs.
- Low latching time prevents baby from getting the right amount of milk.
- Mom's behavior. When she misses a necessary feeding for the baby, for example, because the baby is sleeping, in order to save more milk for the next application. If it is not sucked out, then the nervous system, together with the mammary glands, stops its production. Thus, little by little, milk production decreases.
- Additional fluids given to babies after 6 months of age reduce the amount of milk they suck. Since the centers of satiety and thirst in the child's brain are located nearby, the child feels full after drinking water.
- The use of bottles and pacifiers reduces milk production due to little breast stimulation by the baby.
- Uncomfortable position of mother during feeding.
- Rough medical influences during childbirth disrupt the natural course of a woman's postpartum adaptation and may affect lactation.
- Separate mother and newborn after childbirth is fraught with a decrease in the production and excretion of milk. This is due to the lack of necessary stimulation of the mammary glands and the potentially stressful state of the mother.
- Hormonal regulation of breastfeeding is disrupted by diuretics and combined hormonal contraceptives.
Other situations such as baby crying, refusal of breast milk, frequent andlong feedings, dissatisfied baby after feeding, little or no milk when pumping are not true signs of insufficient lactation.
How can I tell if my baby is getting enough milk?
There are two simple and reliable ways to find out:
- The so-called wet diaper test. It is necessary to calculate the number of urination of the baby in 24 hours. This is the most efficient and convenient method for mom. It can only be used with he althy children who are not supplemented with water and are not supplemented with mixtures. A baby older than 14 days of age has enough milk if he wets 12 or more diapers per day. If the number of wet diapers is between 6 and 11, then lactation is probably reduced. If there are less than six, then you should seek the advice of a pediatrician who supports breastfeeding.
- Monthly weighing of the child also provides important information. A he althy 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 child's condition, but only excite the mother, potentially reducing lactation.
If, according to the results of the tests, the baby still does not receive enough milk, then in most cases the current 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 way the baby is attached. They will lead toincrease the amount of breast milk and maintain lactation at a sufficient level. Simple and effective rules for organizing feeding will return the “missing” milk in a short time.
Proper breastfeeding
This is the first thing you should pay attention to when looking for an answer to the question: "How to increase the amount of breast milk?". When properly attached, the baby is very close to the breast. The mouth is open as wide as possible, the lips are at the border of the areola and above. The bottom is 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 looks out a little. The nipple is deep in the mouth, its tip touches the sky. When sucking, the baby's cheeks do not retract, but inflate.
Breastfeeding doesn't have to be painful. If pain occurs when attaching a child, then surely his position is wrong.
Feeding on demand
This means that the mother offers the breast at any signal of the baby: grunting and search movements of the head, signs of anxiety or crying. If the baby is not hungry, but feels some other need, then he will not take the breast. 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 herself (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. Combining sleep and sucking for an infant is a natural phenomenon. Regardless of who was the initiator, the child always finishes feeding. Even if it seems to the mother that it is already enough, there is no need to tear the baby from the breast. Babies usually fall asleep sweetly after active sucking lasting 10-30 minutes or more.
What negatively affects stimulation?
If a mother's real goal is to increase lactation, then pacifiers and nipples will only do harm. Instead of stimulating the maternal breast and actively engaging the sucking reflex in natural conditions, the baby learns to suckle inefficiently. The necessary supplement should be given from a spoon, cup or syringe without a needle.
Women's 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, supplementation stimulates the satiety center in the child's brain, reducing his need for sucking. And maternal lactation is decreasing.
Extra care for yourself and baby
This is one of the most enjoyable ways to increase lactation while breastfeeding. As soon as the baby appears, the mother finds herself in a new and difficult situation. Therefore, it is vital for her to take extra care of her he alth and emotional state. Be sure to 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, it is worth carrying the baby in your arms as much as possible, having it with you as often as possible.him physical contact "skin-to-skin" and, if possible, organize a joint dream.
When are breast pumps necessary?
The process of breastfeeding is based on the principle of supply and demand. If a mother is pumping after a feed, then she should be ready to produce more milk for the next baby. There are several situations when pumping helps the baby or relieves the mother's condition. For example, this may be with a strong filling of the mammary gland, when the child cannot take the full breast. Or milk is pumped into the baby's mouth so that he calms down and starts sucking himself.
To increase the amount of breast milk when pumping, as with normal feeding, you need to relax. The oxytocin reflex manifests itself faster and brighter in a state of calm and relaxation. Before pumping, you can drink warm drinks, 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 a while, gently pulling them with your fingers. The main thing is to create comfortable conditions for mom and baby.
How to increase the amount of breast milk folk remedies?
There are herbs and products that have a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous and hormonal system of a nursing woman. Often they have a toniceffect on the whole organism. These include: perga and royal jelly, walnuts, nettle infusion, ginger, fennel, cumin and dill.
When using these products, it is important to remember that these are only aids. Because you can only increase the amount of breast milk based on the main rules described above, based on the physiology of lactation and understanding the needs of the child.
