Each expectant mother during pregnancy dreams of how she will enjoy the process of breastfeeding her long-awaited baby. However, in reality, everything does not always go so smoothly: for the opportunity to feed a child with your own milk, you often have to wage a real struggle. And problems can arise even in the maternity hospital: the baby cries for days on end, and many mothers give up helplessly, not knowing if there is not enough milk after childbirth, what to do. They put up with the fact that the child is forced to eat formula. Do not hurry! Let's try to understand all the mechanisms of lactation first.
Benefits of breastfeeding
Breast milk of a nursing mother is a real miracle. No artificially produced dairy and dairy-free mixtures can compete with natural feeding. The great thing is that today everyone understands and welcomes this, from he alth organizations and pediatricians to grandmothers accustomed to bottles and dairy kitchens.
What are the benefits of breastfeeding?
- Milk contains he althy and nutritious substances that a newborn needs.
- Breast milk has an amazing ability to adapt to the age of the child by changing its composition.
- This food is always available for the child, sterile and optimal temperature.
- Natural feeding helps to strengthen the baby's immunity due to the immune proteins contained in milk.
- The child develops the correct bite.
- Strong emotional connection between mother and baby during feeding.
By nature, every woman is given to breastfeed her baby. However, ignorance of the elementary principles of breast milk production leads to the fact that newly-made mothers panic, and in vain. The most frequently asked question - what to do if there is no milk after childbirth - has a fairly simple answer: do not worry and follow some simple advice.
Features of nutrition of a newborn
The digestive system of a newly born child is completely sterile, and it has yet to adapt to the food entering it. In the first days, the mother does not have milk as such, colostrum is released drop by drop from the breast - a thick yellowish liquid. At first glance, it may seem that there is very little of it, and the child is sorely lacking such food, but this is not at all the case. Colostrum is very fatty and satisfying, besides, it contains a large amount of immune proteins, as well as substances that help the child's intestines get rid of meconium -original feces.
About 4-5 days, the so-called transitional milk replaces colostrum. It is more liquid and transparent, but its nutritional value is retained.
Mature milk begins to be produced three weeks after birth and persists throughout the entire feeding period, periodically changing its composition. It is white and transparent, as it is 80% water. That is why fully breastfed babies do not need to be supplemented with water.
Causes of lack of milk in the postpartum period
Sometimes it happens that a lot of time has passed, the baby is worried and demands food, but there is no milk after delivery. What to do if you find yourself in this situation?
The most important thing in this situation is not to panic prematurely and try to understand what is happening with your body and whether you are doing everything right. A very small percentage of women cannot breastfeed due to a lack of milk: due to genetic predisposition, the presence of certain diseases and the abuse of alcohol and nicotine. In other cases, the reasons for a small amount of milk may be the following:
- Stress condition or postpartum depression of a nursing mother.
- Improperly organized meals.
- Not breastfeeding often enough.
- No night feedings.
You should learn more about how to behave and what to do so that milk comes after childbirth.
Basic principles of establishinglactation
What to do so that milk appears after childbirth, and your baby will certainly begin to receive he althy and nutritious food?
First you need to calm down and tune in to positive emotions. The hormones oxytocin and prolactin, which are responsible for the production of breast milk, begin to work only when the mother is completely relaxed and ready to feed her baby. That is why breastfeeding experts advise breastfeeding in silence and solitude, enjoying the closeness and the process itself.
Feed on demand and be sure to keep night feeds to increase milk production.
Drink more fluids: tea with milk, compotes, fruit drinks and plain water. Various soups and broths are also welcome, but not very greasy.
Make sure the baby is properly attached to the breast. It should capture both the nipple and the halo.
Following these principles will help you figure out what to do if there is no milk after giving birth.
Ways to save breastmilk
If even with all the principles of breastfeeding, milk does not come immediately after childbirth, what to do in this case, you will be prompted by simple and very wise advice:
Before feeding, take a warm shower with water sprayed on your chest
- Hot drink. A mug of delicious hot tea is great for stimulating milk production.
- Try special lactation teas with anise and cumin.
- Relax more. If you do not have much time for this, you can try to feed the baby lying down.
- Take royal jelly. In addition to the fact that it has a powerful lactagon effect, it contains a lot of useful trace elements.
- Nipple stimulation and gentle breast massage can also increase milk supply.
Products that stimulate lactation
Even in ancient times, people noticed that after a nursing mother ingested certain foods, her breasts filled up much faster. Therefore, if you do not have milk after giving birth, then this list will help to make your diet richer and he althier.
- Nuts. Best of all walnuts and almonds.
- Ginger tea.
- Dairy products.
- Dried fruit compotes.
- Buckwheat. It can be dried in a pan and gnawed like seeds.
- Radish with honey.
- Watermelon.
Hyperlactation: good or bad?
The problem, when there is little milk after childbirth, has been considered, and what to do in such cases is known. Such problems with lactation are not uncommon, but they are not the only possible ones. There are situations that are directly opposite, that is, a lot of milk after childbirth. What to do about it and how to avoid harm to your he alth?
Hyperlactation is an excess amount of milk in the breast. At the same time, it randomly pours out of her, preventing the child from eating calmly and causing discomfort to the mother.
In order for the baby not to choke while eating, it is better to expresssome milk before feeding, and also offer one breast several times in a row. And avoid foods that stimulate lactation. After a while, everything will work out, and the milk will be produced as much as the baby needs.
Advice from experts on breastfeeding
Many mothers ask for an answer to the question of what to do if there is no milk after childbirth. Most importantly, remember that every woman, with rare exceptions, is quite capable of breastfeeding her child. It's just that some people find it easy, and some people have to work hard. Here's the most important tip for you: stay close to your baby more often and enjoy every minute spent together. Your body will be sensitive to its presence and will certainly begin to function properly.
