How to increase lactation. The perfect food for your baby: breastfeeding. How to recognize mature lactation

Milk production by the mammary glands (lactation) is regulated by hormones (estrogen, progesterone, prolactin). Often, in the first days after childbirth, a woman experiences disappointment and anxiety: the process is slow and it seems that the child is malnourished.

In most cases, milk deficiency in the early stages of feeding is not an obstacle to breastfeeding and switching to artificial formulas. Proper organization of breastfeeding and the use of various methods will contribute to the stimulation of lactation after childbirth.

Ways to stimulate lactation

The most accessible and simple method is the frequent application of the baby to the breast. During feeding, natural stimulation of the nipples occurs, which makes the mammary glands work more intensively. Night feedings are especially useful, since the hormone prolactin is most actively produced during these hours.

The key to normal lactation is feeding on demand, not by the clock. It is also not necessary to limit the time the baby is at the breast during this process.

In addition to natural stimulation, there are a number of additional ways. Possible drug stimulation of lactation, the use of a breast pump, regular pumping, the use of special teas.

Preparations

Most often, the problem of lack of milk occurs in the first days after childbirth. Sometimes this problem is far-fetched or greatly exaggerated. Then she is solved by frequent attachment of the baby to the breast.

Deficiency may occur after suffering or other infectious diseases. In this case, natural stimulation may not be enough. To normalize the feeding process, the following drugs can be recommended.

Apilak

The advantage is the natural origin of the drug. It is based on royal jelly, vitamins C, B1, B2, B12, folic acid, amino acids. The recommended dose is 1 tablet 3 times a day. Duration of admission - 10-15 days. It is not recommended to increase the dose.

Receiving funds contributes to:

improvement of lactation;
rapid recovery of the body after childbirth;
increase the immunity of both mother and baby;
normalization of the psycho-emotional state of the mother.

At the same time, doctors note that there is no direct effect of the active substances of the drug on the production of breast milk and changes in the hormonal system of a woman. But the restorative and sedative action of Apilac has a positive effect, increasing the mother's confidence in her abilities.

Since the drug is based on a bee product, there is a risk of a rash in children prone to developing allergies.

Mlecoin

This is a homeopathic preparation, which includes:

nettle - stimulates the production of milk, relieves swelling of the mammary glands, ensures normal blood circulation in the milk ducts;
Abraham tree - has a calming effect, stimulates the production of prolactin;
meadow lumbago - eliminates stagnation in the mammary glands, normalizes lactation.

It is also used to prevent mastitis and treat postpartum hemorrhage. Mlekoin granules should be taken 5 pieces at a time. They are placed under the tongue until completely absorbed. The best time to take it is half an hour before breakfast. If necessary, re-admission is made in the evening hours. The tool does not cause side effects and has virtually no contraindications. Some breastfeeding experts recommend alternating Mlecoin with Apilac.

lactogon

Dietary supplement based on carrot juice, nettle, oregano, dill, royal jelly. It is enriched with potassium iodide and vitamin C.

Forms of release - tea and tablets. The remedy is effective not only for milk production, but also for normalizing the functioning of the thyroid gland, eliminating colic in a newborn, improving his appetite, and increasing immunity. Tablets are taken 3-4 pieces a day with meals. If a nursing mother prefers tea, you need to drink two glasses a day.

Lactogon is well tolerated, it does not cause side effects or allergies in infants. The only contraindication is individual intolerance to the components.

Femilak

Release form - dry mix. It is dissolved in water and taken before meals. This food supplement is used to improve the diet of a nursing mother. It consists of natural cow's milk, corn, soybean and coconut oil, vitamins, amino acids, minerals.

Femilac can be taken during pregnancy. The daily norm is 40 g (this is about 9 scoops). The mixture can be used to improve the taste of other dishes. It is added to tea, cocoa, milk porridge. Pieces of fruit and berries can be added to the prepared Femilac mixture.

It should be noted that lactation preparations are not a panacea and by themselves do not guarantee the formation of milk. They are effective only when used in combination with other methods of increasing lactation. In addition, some of them can cause allergic reactions in a child, so you should not abuse them and significantly exceed the recommended dose.

lactation teas

Many mothers prefer to use tea to stimulate lactation. This method was also used by our grandmothers, who prepared such drinks on their own based on herbs. Today, teas that increase milk production can be purchased at the pharmacy.

HIPP tea

Tea can be taken at a time when the child at a new stage of development needs more food than the mother's body can provide. Clinical studies have shown that regular use of the drug helps to increase lactation several times.

The main advantage of tea is its composition, which does not contain preservatives, flavors and chemical dyes. Composition:

anise - increases the amount of milk, relieves painful spasms;
fennel - improves the functioning of the child's digestive organs, has a calming effect;
lemon verbena - gives tea a pleasant aroma;
cumin - increases the flow of milk.

Grandma's basket

For nursing mothers, teas are produced with two flavors: anise and rosehip. In addition to them, the composition includes other natural ingredients: fennel and cumin fruits, nettle leaves and lemon balm.

Drinking teas "Grandmother's basket" is necessary in courses. Within 2-3 weeks you need to drink a glass of tea 2-3 times a day half an hour before feeding the baby. Then you need a break for a few weeks, after which the course is repeated.

Lactavit

The composition is similar to the drink from "Grandma's Basket". These are fennel, cumin, anise, nettle leaves. Lactavit should not be taken during pregnancy. The tea is also known as Lactafytol.

Using a breast pump and pumping

If for some reason the child cannot or does not want to breastfeed, and the woman intends to continue breastfeeding, lactation is stimulated with a breast pump. Although there is a small risk that the baby will get used to bottle sucking, it is better to feed him with expressed milk than to switch to formula. The use of a breast pump is mandatory for mastitis. With it, you can prevent stagnation in inflamed areas and increase blood supply to the mammary glands.

There are mechanical and electric breast pumps. More advanced electrical models. They are easy to use at home. The disadvantage of such models is the high cost, but it pays for itself under the condition of long-term use.

One of the most accessible ways is pumping stimulation. Pumping is especially effective in the first 2-3 weeks after childbirth. Usually babies still eat very little, and many suckle their breasts with difficulty and fall asleep from the effort. To stimulate the mammary glands to work intensively, you need to express after each feeding. The nipple during pumping should be between the index and middle fingers of the hand. Movements must be rhythmic.

When the feeding process is established, it is not necessary to abuse pumping. Excessive enthusiasm for this process can cause. For normal lactation, active sucking of the baby is sufficient.

Hormonal stimulation of lactation

There are methods that can cause milk production in nulliparous women. They are necessary for those mothers who are raising a foster child. Since breast milk is produced at a hormonal level, artificial stimulation of lactation will contribute to its production.

A woman takes a certain amount of hormones that stimulate lactation. Children fed with such milk develop no less fully than their peers.

Hormonal stimulation of lactation has its own side effects and contraindications, so it can only be carried out under medical supervision.

The diet of a nursing mother

High-quality balanced and high-calorie nutrition is also the key to successful lactation. Today, pediatricians no longer insist on a strict diet when feeding. It is enough to exclude or limit the intake of products that can cause allergies. These include citrus fruits, chocolate, some sweets. Sweet carbonated water, spicy foods and fast food are undesirable.

Products to stimulate lactation:

lean meat (turkey, chicken, rabbit meat);
buckwheat or oatmeal cooked in milk or water;
nuts;
radish with honey;
carrots and carrot juice;
dried fruits (dried apricots, figs, prunes, raisins);
black and red currants, gooseberries;
low-fat cottage cheese;
leaf salad with olive oil.

A prerequisite for the normalization of milk production is the use of a large amount of liquid. Recommended drinks include:

plain or mineral water without gas;
goat milk;
fermented milk products (ryazhenka, kefir, natural yogurt);
green and ginger teas;
dried fruits compote;
natural juices.

It was previously believed that cow's milk significantly improves the secretory function of the mammary glands. However, this is not true. It can be included in the diet of a nursing mother only if the baby is not allergic to cow protein. Natural juices are best drunk by diluting them with water.

Massage

Massage to stimulate lactation increases milk production and at the same time serves as a prevention of external damage and stretch marks. Before carrying it out, you need to rinse your chest with warm water. Rub the mammary glands in a circular motion, using castor and olive oil. Before feeding, the remaining oil must be washed off!

The breast of a nursing mother should always be warm. Therefore, the effectiveness of massage increases if it is carried out while taking a shower. A jet of water is directed to the mammary gland from the side of the collarbone. It is also useful to massage the breast after feeding.

Breast massage to stimulate lactation

Complex special exercises during massage provide the necessary muscle tone, start blood circulation, protect the mammary glands from the occurrence of stagnation.

Stimulation of lactation after cesarean

Very often, women, having waited for the happiest moment in their lives - the birth of a baby, having endured all the hardships of pregnancy and childbirth, face another problem - a lack of milk. As a rule, this is accompanied by panic and a rash transfer to supplementary feeding with artificial mixtures. But such a decision is correct only in some cases, but basically, almost all women can maintain lactation for as long as the baby needs. The main problem is not in the female body, but in the young woman's ignorance of what to do if a nursing mother has little milk.

According to WHO, true hypogalactia (the inability of the female body to produce enough milk) is detected only in 3% of women. For others, the problem is temporary and easily fixable.

What signs are most often mistaken for a lack of lactation

Usually, nursing mothers make their most often erroneous conclusions about the lack of lactation on the following grounds:

poor pumping of milk residue from the breast after feeding. But this can also be a physiological phenomenon, in which the breast simply reacts incorrectly to pumping (in the form of a spasm of the ducts), while it does not prevent the baby from sucking milk in sufficient quantities;
soft chest. Here it should be understood that already 1.5 months after the birth of a child, the mother’s breast can only be filled by the beginning of direct feeding (most often this is a “habit” of the body developed while observing the baby’s diet);
small breast size;
disappointing results of control weighing (carried out before and after feeding the baby). Do not forget that at different times the child sucks out a different amount of milk;
anxiety, frequent crying of the baby after feeding (the problem may be hidden in the work of the digestive system, which is only being adjusted);
the need for numerous feedings (every 40 minutes, an hour and a half);
long duration of each feeding.

The likelihood of a new pregnancy while breastfeeding

How can you accurately determine that the problem is insufficient lactation

You can make sure that a nursing mother does not have enough milk in one of three ways.

Weekly checkweighing.

This is a more objective option than weighing before and after feeding. At one time, a child can eat from 15 grams to 100 grams of breast milk, so the result cannot be objective, but if the baby has gained at least 150 grams in its own weight in a week, then this already indicates sufficient nutrition.

Counting daily urination.

A newborn up to six weeks old should wet the diapers at least 10 times a day, walk "in the big" 3 times. Pay attention to the color of urine - normally it is pale yellow or colorless.

Monitoring the condition of the baby.

The reason for concern is that the child is lethargic, sucks poorly, urine is dark, weekly weight gain is less than 130 grams, the chest grabs eagerly and draws milk strongly, but does not swallow (outwardly, this can be seen from the wide-open mouth). You can talk about a lack of nutrition if a newborn sleeps more than four hours in the first month, he has an increase in body temperature.

Causes that can lead to a decrease in lactation

There are actually many reasons why a nursing mother has little milk. Very often they are associated with fatigue, poor nutrition of the mother herself, insufficient rest and increased nervousness (at first, the young mother is unreasonably worried and nervous for any, even harmless reason).

Violate the process of breast stimulation attempts to observe the feeding regimen strictly by the hour. Today, doctors do not recommend doing this: you need to give a newborn a breast when he asks. And in the first month it should be from 12 times a day.

Short feeding and supplementation of the newborn with water will also lead to a decrease in lactation, because. the baby simply will not pull out of the chest everything that he is supposed to for full feeding. All attempts to accumulate milk for the next feeding will fail, because the body perceives the rest of the milk in the milk ducts as its overabundance and begins to produce the next portions less.

After mothers begin to give pacifiers to babies or “spare” their crumbs, periodically feed them from a bottle, babies, having satisfied their natural need for sucking, pull their breasts less, which leads to a decrease in milk production.

Mommy's uncomfortable posture, stress during feeding - also affects the lactation process.

Hormonal disorders in the female body, stress, taking diuretics, prolonged separation from the newborn after childbirth - this and much more can be the reason why a nursing mother has little milk.

What should be done to improve lactation

To have more milk from a nursing mother, the first thing to do is:

establish a complete, balanced diet for women;
ensure a sufficient amount of fluid entering the body of a woman;
make time for your own rest and worry less about it.

No need to constantly worry, be afraid and think that the baby is missing something. Scientists have long noticed one interesting fact about this: in underdeveloped countries with lactation, there are much fewer problems than in Europe. But here much attention is paid to this topic by doctors and young mothers. This means that one of the main roles is played not by the standard of living and security, but by the psychological mood of a woman. Try to perceive the feeding of the crumbs as a natural process, pleasant for the mother, useful for the baby, regulated by nature. Just enjoy putting the baby to your chest.

Is flu and breastfeeding compatible?

The following dietary adjustments will help increase lactation:

hot dishes should be consumed at least twice a day;
be sure to drink plenty of warm water. Tea with milk helps very well to increase lactation, it can also be a rosehip decoction, dried fruit compote, herbal teas;
despite many restrictions, nutrition should be balanced. Especially recommended are whole grain cereals, protein foods and containing complex carbohydrates, vegetable oil;
it is undesirable to consume sour-milk products in the first month.

If the problem is in the "empty" milk of a nursing mother, attention should be paid to the presence of lactagons in the diet. These are: walnuts, cheese, fatty fish, ginger. Some grain spices are useful: cumin, dill, fennel.

In addition to the above, do not forget that it is necessary to feed the child on demand, no breaks of three hours. Night feedings should not be ignored, they are most beneficial for the milk separation process, as it is at night that the greatest amount of prolactin (the hormone responsible for this process) is produced. And also be sure to work out the possible causes of the problem with lactation, eliminating them as much as possible.

Every woman dreams of giving her child the best of what is available to her, whether it be clothes, treatment or education. When it comes to nutrition, most have no doubt that for a baby from the first months of life there is nothing better and healthier than breast milk. In addition, it is available to absolutely everyone.

However, in practice, it often happens that due to certain difficulties that have arisen when trying to establish lactation, as well as due to following outdated recommendations, the process is in jeopardy, or even completely disappears.

It happens that mom comes to terms with this quite easily. Indeed, in advertising of modern adapted mixtures, it is gradually stated that they are only slightly inferior to breast milk. However, the World Health Organization has a different opinion on this matter.

For many years, everything possible has been done so that women in different countries are aware of the indispensability of breast milk for the baby(this is confirmed by numerous studies), and health workers support them in their desire to breastfeed and provide assistance if necessary.

Unfortunately, in our country, the culture of breastfeeding is just beginning to revive, and not everyone has the information about how important it is to succeed in this seemingly natural process, and how to achieve it.

Including, doctors in maternity hospitals and children's clinics do not always know how to establish breastfeeding, how to help in a given situation.

Therefore, the expectant or accomplished mother will have to take the initiative into her own hands and independently seek information (we will try to give the main tips in this article), and if necessary, helpers who have positive experience in this female art.

Why is breastfeeding worth the effort?

Breast milk contains the necessary substances for the growth and development of all organs and systems of the baby, and vitamins and minerals are in the form in which they are very easily absorbed by the child's body, unlike the components of the mixture. In addition, the mixture reproduces the composition of this natural elixir only in part.
It contains immune factors that protect the fragile body of the baby from many infections, especially gastrointestinal, as well as respiratory. If a mother is ill, antibodies to the causative agent of her disease enter the baby's body through feeding and protect him, therefore, most likely, he will not become infected. And if the baby is sick, then breast milk changes its properties, contributing to its speedy recovery.
Children who have been breastfed for more than nine months are less prone to otitis media and other ENT diseases in the future.
Breast milk protects your baby from allergies and, according to some reports, from inflammatory bowel disease and certain types of cancer.
The bifidus factor contributes to the formation of a healthy intestinal microflora of the baby, and the components of colostrum help the epithelium of the digestive tract to quickly prepare for work.
Later, breastfed people are less likely to be obese and perform better on intelligence tests.
Breastfeeding provides not only the baby's need for nutrition, but also tactile contact, affection and care, establishes a strong bond with mom, is usually a reliable way to calm the baby and put him to sleep.
Milk in the breast is sterile, it does not need to be heated, it is always with you. Breastfeeding eliminates unnecessary hassle and significant material costs.
Breastfeeding is good for the mother's body: it helps to contract the uterus after childbirth, restore weight, and also reduces the likelihood of developing breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis.
For some, the contraceptive effect will be a plus, which is quite reliable as long as the child does not receive any other food than breast milk and is fed on demand.

Of course, it is not necessary for an individual infant to be healthier and happier than its formula-fed peer. But he will definitely feel better than if he had not been breastfed.

The right attitude is the key to success

One of the important factors for successful lactation, doctors consider the so-called dominant breastfeeding. This concept includes the mother's conviction that it is necessary to breastfeed (we hope that the previous section of the article contributed to this), as well as her confidence that she will be able to feed her baby.

Often women are afraid that they will not receive milk or that its quantity will be insufficient.

There is good news about this: only about 3-5% of mothers suffer from true hypogalactia, that is, a lack of milk.

This may be due to anatomical features, breast surgery and diseases that affect hormone production.

In other cases, the baby will have enough milk, and if problems arise, they can be solved by properly organizing breastfeeding. You will definitely succeed!

Childbirth: the more natural, the better

If you are just getting ready to become a mother, keep in mind that interventions in the birth process, such as induction of labor, drug anesthesia and, of course, caesarean section, sometimes do not allow you to quickly establish feeding, as they negatively affect the condition of the newborn, his reflexes . Therefore, after such childbirth, he may not immediately take the breast.

WHO recommends minimizing the practice of artificially induced birth, as well as caesarean section. According to this organization, the real need for surgical childbirth occurs in 10-15% of cases, and medical stimulation - less than 10%, while in our country it occurs all the time.

If it is possible to choose a maternity hospital and a doctor in advance, it is worth finding out what the views of this obstetrician-gynecologist on the management of childbirth are, whether he has frequent cases of stimulation and caesarean section.

When you find the right doctor, try to make a plan for childbirth with him, discuss in advance what you will do in various situations. It happens that, indeed, one cannot do without interventions, but they must be exceptionally justified.

When choosing a maternity hospital, additional advantages in favor of one or another institution may be the possibility of free behavior during childbirth (including taking a shower or bath in the first period), as well as vertical childbirth. All this contributes to the softest and most natural birth of the baby.

What is important to do after childbirth

In principle, if the birth was not medical, the newborn is able after some time, imagine, to crawl to the breast and take it (colostrum smells like amniotic fluid and therefore attracts it). But this requires a lot of stress on the baby, so, of course, it is better to help him a little.

The more the newborn is on the naked mother's belly and chest, the better. If the newly-made mother is covered with a blanket with the baby, there will be no risk of hypothermia, and the child will warm up better than in an incubator.

In general, the joint stay of a mother with a baby in the hospital is a very important moment for establishing lactation. This allows the newborn to apply as many times and suck on time as much as he needs.

In addition to the fact that the baby needs colostrum for nutrition and protection against infections, in the first days after birth, a kind of “programming” of the breast for the entire lactation period takes place: the more the baby sucks, the more milk the mother will have and the longer she will be able to feed.

Keep in mind that colostrum fully satisfies the baby's need for food and drink, he does not need to drink water or formula.

Supplementation is especially dangerous because it can cause an allergy to cow's milk protein contained in the mixture, as well as provoke intestinal dysbiosis. In such a situation, the microflora will be restored after about a month of exclusive breastfeeding.

With all this in mind, when choosing a maternity hospital, consider choosing one of the facilities that received the title of "Baby Friendly Hospital" from WHO. The staff of such a hospital must be aware of how to establish lactation, and not advise supplementary feeding or supplementation without strict medical necessity.

Cohabitation is practiced in many other maternity hospitals, so modern mothers are much more likely to successfully start breastfeeding than the previous generation. However, in the case of a separate stay, everything can be adjusted, just sometimes it requires a little more effort.

Feeding after caesarean section

If you are having a surgical delivery, try to arrange for it to go through. under epidural anesthesia. Its advantages are not only that you will be aware of what is happening during childbirth, but also that the baby can be immediately attached to the breast. Ask the medical staff about it.

After general anesthesia, the baby should be fed as soon as the mother regains consciousness, but you may have to wait about four hours, according to domestic recommendations.

It would be best if the baby is left with you in the ward, and at the same time someone close to you can be nearby and help (some maternity hospitals offer the “Home birth” service, which allows the baby’s dad or grandmother to be with him and the young mother around the clock).

We put the baby to the breast

Before feeding the baby, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water, but you should not do the same with your breasts (otherwise nipple cracks may occur), it is enough to wash it with water once a day.

A very comfortable position for applying a newborn, and even a grown child, is the so-called “relaxed feeding”. Mom half-sitting, reclining, leaning back on the pillows that serve as a support for her back and shoulders.

The baby in one diaper is on the mother’s bare chest (skin-to-skin contact is important), you can hold him by the back and shoulders. Do not rush the child to take the breast, it is better to wait until he starts looking for her, then it makes sense to help a little.

If the baby takes the breast, sucks, and it does not hurt you, or it hurts only in the first few seconds, then everything is going right.

If the nipple is sore for a long time, you should not endure it, you need to carefully put a clean little finger into the corner of the baby’s mouth (this is important, because otherwise, pulling out the nipple, you can damage it) and interrupt the feeding, and then start all over again (for more information on the correct breast capture, see below). below).

About feeding positions

In addition to the above position, there are many more positions from which you can breastfeed your baby. We will briefly describe only some of them.

The “cradle” is considered a classic pose, when the baby is pressed with his tummy to the mother’s stomach, and the head lies with his ear on the bend of the elbow (according to some versions, on the forearm) of the mother’s hand, which holds the back of the child.
The “reverse cradle” (the baby is in the same position, but the back and head are fixed with the other hand) is convenient in order to correct the breast grip, then it can be changed to a normal one.
The “out of hand” position will be especially convenient for those who gave birth by caesarean section, since the child does not put pressure on the mother’s stomach: he lies on the pillow to the side of the mother, and she feeds him, holding his shoulders and head with her hand.
Also, after an operation or an episiotomy, it will be comfortable to feed lying down (and at night, this position, by the way, will be necessary for any mother). The woman's head is on the pillow, the baby's head is at chest level. Both lie on their side, belly to belly. You can put a roller under the back of the child so that he does not roll back onto his back. You can feed both upper and lower breasts. The mother can put her lower hand under the head of herself or the child (the ear will be on the bend of the elbow), after lifting it by the shoulder blades and neck with the other hand.

Good chest grip: what is it?

To prevent painful nipple cracks, as well as to ensure effective suckling (which, in turn, will allow the child to fill up and milk actively flow), it is necessary that the breast latch is correct.

On the one hand, for many mother-baby couples, attachment does not look perfect at all, but at the same time it works “excellently”.

On the other hand, there are some signs of a good grip that you should pay attention to:

The child should take into his mouth not only the nipple, but also a section of the areola with a radius of about 2.5 cm.
The top of the free areola should show more than the bottom.
The baby's lips are turned outward (especially the lower one), the angle between them is about 130 degrees, the cheeks are not retracted, no extraneous sounds (except for the throats) are heard.

To achieve high-quality attachment, sometimes you need to help the baby. Place your thumb on the edge of the areola above the nipple, and the rest below, at a distance of about 5 cm from the nipple.

Squeeze your chest lightly (like we squeeze a fluffy bun to make it easier to bite off). If you press a little harder with your thumb, the tip of the nipple will rise.

Point it to the baby's nose and tickle his lips with the lower edge of the areola. When the baby opens its mouth wide, put the chest in there, at the same time, as if putting the baby's head on it.

What damages pacifiers and bottles

The use of sucking objects to supplement or soothe the baby has the following consequences:

The pacifier and bottle suck differently than the breast. The baby does not need to open his mouth wide and work with his tongue, besides, you can not stand on ceremony with a rubber nipple, chew it with your gums, for example. Therefore, after the use of these items in the care of a child, his breast grip deteriorates, the role of which we spoke about above.
As a result of “nipple confusion”, the baby may completely refuse the breast in favor of the bottle. It is easier to suck on, and the baby can get used to a steady flow of milk, while it either spurts or oozes out of the breast.
Rejection of the breast in favor of a pacifier is less likely, but the baby, satisfying his sucking reflex without the help of his mother's breast, ends up sucking less at the breast, which leads to low gains and insufficient milk production.

Feed on demand: what does it mean?

Since the chest works on the principle “the more demand - the more supply”, needs constant emptying. Therefore, when feeding according to the regimen, in order to maintain lactation, you have to regularly express your breasts.

But neither the hands nor the breast pump can free it from the contents in the way that the baby will. It is not surprising that in the era of universal feeding “by the hour”, many mothers quickly ran out of milk.

In addition, on-demand feeding is incomparably more comfortable psychologically, both for the baby and for the mother.

A child experiences much less stress if his life in his mother's womb continues in her arms, at her breast, and not in a crib with the opportunity to only occasionally suck on such a dear and warm breast. It is also natural for a mother to respond to any squeak of a child, and not to wait for a certain hour for this.

A baby's "demand" for food and closeness doesn't always look like loud crying. The latter is usually distributed in the most extreme case, when the first signs of hunger were missed. Keep in mind that a very upset baby is more difficult to breastfeed than a calm one.

If in a dream the baby's eyelids begin to tremble, he opens his mouth and turns his head from side to side, tries to suck his hands - then it's time to give him a breast.

Do not be embarrassed if the newborn is ready to suck every 15 minutes, or vice versa, it is applied only once every 2 hours, everything can be individual here. However, if the baby sleeps for more than 3 hours in a row, you need to wake him up for feeding or apply sleepy, waiting for the superficial phase of sleep.

How to improve lactation if you are not together

When circumstances are such that after childbirth you are separated from the baby, then to stimulate lactation you need to express every 2-3 hours, each breast for 10 minutes. It will also help prevent excessive breast engorgement 2-4 days after the milk comes in (including pumping may be needed during this period for some women who are breastfeeding on demand).

To express your breasts, wash your hands, take a sterile container (for a healthy full-term newborn, just a clean one is enough). Gently shake and massage your chest.

Then place your fingers around the nipple in the form of the letter "C": the big one just above the edge of the areola, the rest just below.

Now start pumping: the thumb and forefinger move towards each other, squeezing the glandular tissue.

Release the pressure on your fingers, then repeat the movement. After some time, slightly turn your hand to free other lobes of the breast from milk.

Pumping is also necessary if the baby is with you, but for some reason does not latch on. The resulting colostrum or milk should be given to the baby, it is highly desirable - not from a bottle.

There are various other ways to supplement: from a pipette, from a syringe without a needle, from a spoon, from a small cup (beaker), from a special soft spoon that has a reservoir for milk at the end.

What to do if there is not enough milk?

First of all, you should make sure that it really is not enough. You should focus on how much the baby leaves wet and dirty diapers, as well as weight gain.

A baby older than 7 days old should gain at least 125 g per week
He should also urinate at least 12 times a day (this can be checked if you remove diapers for a day and stock up on diapers).
With the advent of milk, the baby empties the intestines at least 3-4 times a day. After 3-6 weeks, stools will likely become less frequent.

Keep in mind that signs such as: no breast engorgement, no leaking milk, inability to express more than 20-40 ml from the chest - absolutely nothing!

If there are problems with weight and the amount of discharge, the baby will need to be supplemented with expressed milk or formula. In such a situation, you should contact your doctor and a lactation consultant to find out what is happening.

Attaching the baby to the chest with any manifestation of anxiety.
During the day, mother offers breasts on her own initiative every hour.
At night, the child eats 3-4 times, especially between 3.00 and 8.00 in the morning. If the baby does not wake up on his own, the mother sets the alarm.

In some situations, it may be necessary to take lactogenic drugs and additional pumping. Remember that when there is not enough milk, supplementary feeding should be done without the help of a bottle in the ways discussed above.

The breastfeeding system at the breast (available in our market from Medela) can also help. This is a container with a thin tube that the baby sucks along with the breast, while sucking out the mixture and stimulating mother's lactation.

As the weight and number of urination normalize, the volume of supplementary feeding gradually decreases. Sometimes it is necessary to keep a certain amount of formula in the child's diet up to six months, but then it is replaced by complementary foods, that is, products from the family table or baby food, appropriate for age.

Is it possible to breastfeed after artificial?

If sometimes nulliparous women manage to breastfeed adopted children, then relactation is possible in most cases. You will need the methods of lactation stimulation described above, and you will most likely have to overcome breast rejection.

One of the main ways to solve the problem is the “nest method”, when the mother spends most of the time in bed with the child, ensuring skin-to-skin contact, does not give it to other relatives, all factors that can cause stress in the baby are limited, even walking and bathing.

If you want to switch from artificial feeding to breastfeeding, it is best for the mother to contact a lactation specialist who will select the best scenario for returning the baby to the breast.

Where to look for help?

If your mom didn't have a successful breastfeeding experience, one of your friends probably did. If they don't have any advice, feel free to contact consultants, members of Breastfeeding Support Groups, leaders of the International Dairy League.

Pay attention to the sites www.akev.ru and http://www.llli.org/russian.html. In most cases, it is enough to get a free consultation online or by phone.

A personal visit of a specialist is usually not cheap (Moscow and the region - around 3,000 rubles), but there are situations when it is worth it and can be a wonderful gift for a nursing mother from her husband or other relatives.

We want you to enjoy eating!

Breastfeeding is a special period in the life of a new mother. Breastfeeding helps to recover faster after childbirth, provide protection from mastopathy and establish close relationships with the baby. Often breastfeeding mothers face a shortage of milk. Today we will tell you how to increase lactation at home, and what to do if there is practically no milk in the chest.

5 main factors influencing the increase and maintenance of lactation

Proper development of a child is impossible without proper nutrition. Mother's milk is ideally suited to the ability of the baby's body to absorb food. From breast milk, the baby receives everything he needs: enzymes, growth factors, immunoglobulins that protect the child's body from infections.

Important! Every baby should receive breast milk for at least 6 months, because it is completely tailored to the individual needs of the crumbs.

Among the many factors affecting the occurrence, increase and preservation of milk secretion, the most important are:

The health status of the nursing mother and baby.
The mother's desire and will to breastfeed her baby.
The state of mind of a nursing mother and the situation in the family.
Regular attachment of the newborn to the breast;
Conscientious preparation and learning of proper breastfeeding technique.

What to do if there is not enough milk? We will definitely talk about many effective ways to improve lactation, but first we advise you to watch this video:

Before concluding that the mother has little milk, the above factors must be excluded. If there are errors in the correct attachment of the breast, the physical fatigue of a nursing mother or excessive mental stress (excitement, anxiety), then a lack of milk is only a consequence of existing problems. Their solution will help to avoid a decrease in lactation and premature weaning.

Menu for a nursing mother: a list of products to increase the amount of milk

The quality of milk and its quantity directly depend on the diet and diet followed by a nursing mother. A varied diet stimulates the improvement of lactation and helps to establish proper breastfeeding.

Foods that should be included in the daily diet of the mother:

boiled milk and fermented milk products (kefir, curdled milk) - at least 0.5 l / day;
cottage cheese or curd products - 50-100 g / day;
boiled meat - at least 200 g / day;
fresh vegetables (carrots, onions, sweet peppers, radishes) - 600 g / day;
butter - 30 g / day;
boiled chicken eggs - 1-2 pcs.;
fruits (green apple, pear) - at least 300 g / day;
black bread with cumin - 400 g / day.

Also in the lactation period, it is recommended to use vegetable oil daily as a dressing for fresh vegetables or dishes with cereals (about 20 g / day). Sunflower oil is a natural source of vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids. We talked about it in one of the previous issues.

Foods that increase lactation:

warm green tea (low brewed);
hot chicken broth;
liquid cereals in milk from rice and barley groats;
bee honey (as a substitute for sugar);
watermelons;
walnuts;
first courses with sea and river fish.

Nursing mothers need to monitor the amount of fluid consumed per day. It must be at least 2.5 liters (including all liquid dishes). 10-15 minutes before the next feeding, it is useful to drink a glass of warm milk with a teaspoon of honey - this simple drink helps increase lactation and stimulates the flow of milk in the breast.

What foods to avoid when lactating:

natural coffe;
meat semi-finished products;
fast food, chips and crackers with flavorings;
store-bought sauces (mayonnaise, ketchup, cheese sauces, etc.);
canned products of industrial origin;
foods high in cocoa (including chocolate);
any alcoholic beverages (strictly prohibited!).

Note! In recent years, there has been a tendency for infants to be born with a deficiency of the immune system. Try to avoid eating foods that can cause allergies in your baby.

Increasing lactation folk remedies

Home methods to increase milk production were used by our grandmothers. Complaints about the lack of breast milk occurred at all times, and nursing mothers tried all available methods to solve the problem of breastfeeding. Many of them are relevant to this day.

More liquid!

Drinking fluids helps increase milk production - this is a well-known fact. Try to drink whenever possible as often as possible. Lactation improves with the use of warm herbal decoctions, milk, special herbal drinks for mothers.

Many of the herbs can be found in drugstores for pennies: dill seeds, anise, cumin, and fennel. A vitamin drink will help to cope with a lactation crisis.

Recipe 1. Take a teaspoon of cumin seeds, pour a glass of water. Bring to a boil over heat, then simmer covered for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, let it brew for half an hour, strain the resulting broth. To improve the taste, you can add 0.5 tsp. honey.

Recipe 2. Pour anise seeds into a thermos, pour 200 ml of boiled hot water. Close the lid and let it brew for 2-3 hours. Then strain the infusion and cool. Take a drink of 50 ml before each feeding.

Self-massage of the breasts

Kneading the breast after feeding develops the inflows well, stimulating the production of milk and its frequent flushes. Massage should be done on the breast that the baby was fed. Hand movements during the massage should be circular, from the nipple to the periphery, with light finger pressure over the entire surface, for 5-7 minutes.

Breastfeeding on demand

Feeding your baby on demand is the key to proper breastfeeding and the production of the right amount of milk for each feeding. Do not take night breaks, let the baby be applied to the breast as many times as his body requires. Frequent application is the best way to stimulate lactation without any additional methods. Try to do the first months without calculating feeding by the hour - the baby knows better when it is time for him to eat, and your breasts will “adjust” to his requirements.

What to do so that the child does not starve and how to improve lactation? New mom tips:

Medications to improve lactation

Currently, the question of how to increase lactation can be solved with one trip to the pharmacy. Many medicines have been tested by mothers and help to solve an acute problem with HB - a decrease in lactation and a lack of milk. If folk remedies do not help, and the lactation crisis has dragged on, then it's time to contact a breastfeeding specialist and find the right drug to increase the amount of milk.

Release form	Titles	Operating principle
Herbal teas for nursing mothers	Lactavit, Hipp, Humana, Grandmother's basket, Laktafitol	Lactogenic agents with a firming and tonic effect. Teas based on natural herbs (fennel, cumin, anise, etc.) have a pleasant taste and are used as daily drinks in the diet.
Tablets and granules	Lactogon, Apilak, Mlecoin	Effective drugs to increase lactation. Taken with food as an active supplement when breastfeeding is over. As part of natural ingredients - nettle, ginger, royal jelly.
Milk mixtures to improve lactation	Lactamyl, Milky Way, Femilac, Bellakt Mama+, MD mil Mama	Nutritious milk formulas fill the needs of a nursing mother in vitamins, minerals and stimulate the glands to produce breast milk. It is enough to dilute the mixture with water and drink several times a day as a cocktail. Milk formula, when used regularly, helps to produce milk and increase its quantity.

Means for stimulating lactation can be a real help in reducing milk in the breast. But you should not expect a quick effect: in one case, it will take a couple of days to normalize feeding, in the other it will take a week.

On a note! A lactation consultant will help you choose the most suitable drug - having studied specifically your history of feeding and observing the process, it will be easier for a specialist to suggest the best solution to your problem and, if necessary, choose a drug with you.

5 best ways to stimulate milk production

Before resorting to medical methods, it is better to try simple methods that you can use at your own discretion and without the recommendation of a doctor.

Frequent breastfeeding
Nature herself made sure that the baby was full of mother's milk. At the time of each application to the breast in the body of a woman, two important hormones are released and activated: oxytocin and prolactin. They are responsible for the amount of milk produced during lactation. The more often the baby suckles the mother's breast, the more milk will arrive at each moment of feeding.
Baby feeding at night
A night break is detrimental to breastfeeding - if the baby does not suckle for a long time, there is less milk. The body of nursing mothers believes that the child will receive enough milk, which means that you can reduce its amount. So there is a decline in milk production. Try to feed your baby at least two times at night to maintain lactation at the proper level.
Ensuring tactile contact with the baby
“Skin to skin” is the basic recipe for more milk without any additional recipes. Lactogenic hormones wake up at the moment of communication between the mother and the baby, when the baby is rocked or carried in her arms. Caress your baby more often, and the problem with a lack of milk will be solved by itself.
Rest, rest and only rest
At the time of the formation of lactation, free yourself from at least some of the household chores and chores. Sufficient sleep - at least 7-8 hours a day, good nutrition and peace of mind - these are the main conditions for the full production of a sufficient amount of mother's milk.
Easy and useful “chest” gymnastics
Daily gymnastics for the chest stimulates the ducts, blood circulation and the production of breast milk. It is necessary to engage in standing or sitting on a fitball in a comfortable position. Place both hands together, palm to palm. Get them over your head. Tilt your head back, then vigorously press the back of your head against your folded arms several times. Repeat the exercise 2-3 more times.

P.S. Earlier we talked about the nutrition of a nursing mother and about products. Let's reinforce this topic once again, since it is proper nutrition that is the key to good lactation:

A decrease in breast milk production in a nursing woman is called hypogalactia and can be caused by various reasons. The level of lactation depends not only on the capabilities of the woman's body, but is also largely determined by environmental factors.

Hypogalactia can be caused by a violation of the production of hormones that directly affect the lactation process, or, most often, it leads to improper organization of breastfeeding, namely:

rare attachment of the baby to the breast, feeding “by the hour”, and not “on demand”;
insufficient duration of feeding, rapid weaning of the child from the breast;
improper grip (the baby only grabs the nipple, not the entire areola);
lack of night feedings;
early introduction of supplementary feeding;
irrational and improper drinking regimen;
psychological factors: stress, unfavorable family situation, overwork, lack of sleep.

Often, a decrease in milk occurs without any external cause. These conditions are called and due to the peculiarities of hormonal regulation. Most often, such crises appear on the 3rd, 7th, 12th weeks of a child's life. During these periods, the mother experiences a temporary change in the hormonal background (a decrease in the production of the hormone prolactin), which affects the production of milk. The body of a nursing woman adapts to the new needs of a growing baby in milk. Lactation crises are temporary and usually last no more than 2-3 days. They are easy to deal with by putting the baby to the breast more often.

Not enough milk or enough?

There are several criteria by which you can judge whether the baby is getting enough milk:

the baby became restless, often crying, often during or immediately after feeding;
there is a small increase in body weight per month (the average monthly increase in the first three months of life is approximately 800 g, the minimum is 500 g);
there is a decrease in the number of urination (less than 6 times a day). A child of the first months of life should urinate on average at least 8-10 times a day (the minimum number is 6 times a day).

How to increase lactation?

Even if the production of milk by a nursing mother for some reason really decreased, in no case should one rush and, without consulting a pediatrician, begin to supplement the baby with milk mixtures. The baby will gorge on formula, less likely to ask for a breast, and this, in turn, will lead to an even greater decrease in milk production. With a decrease in the amount of milk, the attitude and readiness of the mother to do everything in her power to maintain and normalize the lactation process is very important.

So what should you do if there is not enough breast milk?

Each mother can try to establish breastfeeding and increase lactation on her own. But, if she is not confident in her abilities, it is better to seek help from breastfeeding consultants or a pediatrician observing the baby. So, let's get started.

To stimulate lactation, it is necessary to apply the baby to the breast more often. This is so-called on-demand feeding, in which the breast is offered to the baby at the first sign of his anxiety and as often as he wants. Milk production is influenced by two hormones, prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin is responsible for the process of milk production, oxytocin - for the milk ejection reflex. The higher their level, the more milk a nursing mother has. And the amount of hormones produced in a woman's body is affected by the frequency and duration of breast sucking by the baby.

The interval between feedings should be no more than 1.5-2 hours. To maintain full lactation at first, 10-12 applications per day are needed. The more milk the baby sucks, the more it will be produced in the following days.

Care must be taken to ensure that both breasts are offered the same number of times. If one breast is fed less than the other, then less milk will be produced in it.

Let the baby be at the breast for as long as he wants. The duration of feeding should be determined by the child himself, i.e. for each baby it will be individual, but on average at least 15-20 minutes. You should not take the breast from the baby before he releases it himself, otherwise he will not receive very valuable “hind” milk, rich in healthy fats and nutrients, and the breast will not receive a “request” for the production of a new portion of milk.

Night feedings are a great way to maintain lactation., since at night the production of the hormone prolactin, which stimulates the release of milk, is much higher than during the day. Therefore, in order to increase lactation at night, it is recommended to put the baby to the breast 3-4 times, and two feedings should fall between 3 and 7 o'clock in the morning.

For good lactation and effective sucking of the baby, it is important to properly attach the baby to the breast. If the baby is not attached to the breast correctly, he cannot suck out enough milk, the breast is poorly emptied and the amount of milk decreases. In order for the baby to latch on correctly, the mother must choose a comfortable position that will allow her to relax. The child should be turned to her with his whole body, his chin touches her chest, the head and body of the baby should be located in the same plane. With proper attachment, the baby's mouth is wide open, the lower lip is turned outward, the baby captures not only the nipple, but the entire areola (peripapillary circle).

Another mechanism for triggering the release of milk is bodily contact between mother and baby. Tactile skin-to-skin contact promotes the production of hormones needed to increase lactation. That is why, with a decrease in milk, the mother is advised to carry the baby in her arms or in a sling more often.

Walking in the fresh air is necessary not only for the baby, but also for the mother. The lack of oxygen also has a negative effect on milk production, so it is recommended that a nursing mother spend 1.5–2 hours a day in the fresh air. This is a great opportunity to take a break from household chores and take a walk with the baby in the forest or in the park.

For sufficient milk production, a nursing mother must comply with the drinking regimen. You need to drink enough to not feel thirsty. In this case, the amount of fluid entering the body should be at least 2–2.5 l / day. For good lactation, it is recommended to take a warm drink 30 minutes before feeding.

One of the methods to increase lactation is herbal medicine - the use of decoctions and teas from herbs. with lactogenic properties. Mom can use special ready-made teas for nursing mothers or prepare a decoction of medicinal herbs herself, observing certain proportions. Dill seeds, caraway seeds, anise, fennel, lemon balm, oregano, nettle leaves, green tea have lactogenic properties.

Their decoctions can be used alone or as a variety of fees.

An additional measure to increase lactation can be a hot shower.(water temperature about 45 ° C) after feeding. The meaning of such an impact is to stimulate the production of milk, as it were, on account of the next time. In parallel, you can massage the mammary gland with circular kneading movements from the center to the periphery and from top to bottom with simultaneous milk residues. It is desirable to carry out such a procedure for 10 minutes, 2 times a day for each breast. After a shower, it is good to do a relaxing massage of the neck (collar zone) and back (the area between the shoulder blades).

From water procedures, a positive effect on lactation has warming before feeding hands and feet. in hot water.

Expression of milk can be used as a temporary measure to improve lactation. It stimulates the secretion of milk. Pumping is carried out after each feeding of the baby and / and in between feedings (if the interval between them allows - at least 1.5-2 hours), but at least 5-6 times a day. It is very effective to express the breast at night (from 3 to 7 in the morning) during the period of intensive production of the hormone prolactin. With an increase in lactation, the number of pumping should be gradually reduced and then completely stopped in order to prevent its excessive production and lactostasis. It should be remembered that frequent attachment of the baby to the breast is an excellent alternative to pumping.

The process of restoring lactation for each woman is individual, but on average it takes 5-7 days. It depends primarily on the desire of the mother to continue breastfeeding, on the activity of the child during suckling, on the observance of the correct breastfeeding technique and on the support of loved ones.

Do no harm!

We must be very careful about the various advice of others and "folk methods" to increase the amount of milk. They can not only not be beneficial, but also harm the mother and baby.

The most common recommendation that a nursing mother can hear when reducing the amount of milk is to drink as much liquid as possible, and it is better if it is milk, tea with milk or condensed milk. Breastfeeding experts have proven that excess fluid not only does not stimulate lactation, but can also reduce it. An excess of fluid intake can lead to the formation of more milk than the baby needs, which, in turn, often leads to its stagnation (lactostasis). Of course, you can drink tea with milk if your mother likes this drink. Only it does not have any special lactogenic effect. The consumption of whole cow's milk by the mother also does not affect lactation, and the child can cause allergic reactions and colic. Tea with condensed milk, due to the large amount of sugar, can also provoke allergic reactions in the baby.
The second claim that walnuts promote lactation is also highly questionable. For an infusion that supposedly has lactogenic properties, 1/2 cup of peeled walnuts should be brewed with 0.5 liters of boiling milk. Both milk and nuts are allergenic foods for the baby. A nursing mother can eat no more than 1-2 nuts a day, which will not affect lactation in any way. Otherwise, the risk of developing an allergy in a child increases.

In a good mood

The mood of the mother also affects the flow of breast milk. Accumulated fatigue, physical fatigue, stress - all this can lead to a decrease in milk production, as the production of oxytocin decreases. Therefore, in order to establish lactation, a nursing mother needs:

First of all, pay attention to your regimen. It is important to organize the day so that you have time for proper sleep and rest. Sleep should be at least 8-10 hours. If the baby often wakes up and asks for breasts at night, you can organize a joint dream with him. The best option would be a baby crib with one side removed, placed close to the mother's sleeping place - there is no risk of injuring the baby, and the mother will have the opportunity to sleep and relax more, since she does not need to rise to the child;
do not constantly think about the lack of milk and worry about feeding;
we must try to eliminate stressful situations and try to remain calm;
you can ask for help and support from relatives and husband who will help in caring for the baby or take on part of the household chores.

Recipes for lactogenic decoctions

1 tsp cumin brew 1 cup of boiling milk, leave for 10-15 minutes. Take 1/4 cup of infusion 30-40 minutes before feeding the baby 3 times a day.

3 tsp brew dry nettle with 2 cups of boiling water, leave for 10-15 minutes. Take during the day.

Take in equal proportions the seeds of dill, anise, fennel. Pour 1 tbsp. l. mixture with 1 cup boiling water, insist in a closed container for 15-20 minutes, strain, drink 1/3 cup 2-3 times a day.

Take nettle leaves (2 parts), dill and anise seeds (1 part each), mix them. 2 tbsp. l. mix brew 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave for 2 hours. Drink throughout the day.