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What is lactation?
Lactation- this is the process of formation and excretion of breast milk in a woman in the postpartum period, which ensures the feeding of a newborn baby. The process of development and regulation of lactation is provided by complex mechanisms, among which the main role belongs to hormonal changes, as well as the central nervous system of a woman. In some diseases and pathological conditions, the lactation process may be disturbed, which will have characteristic clinical manifestations.Physiology of lactation in women ( what hormones are responsible for lactation?)
To understand the mechanism of development of lactation, as well as the causes of the violation of this function, certain knowledge is needed from the field of physiology and anatomy of the female reproductive system.The mammary gland consists of glandular tissue, which forms the so-called acini. The acini unite with each other to form lobules and larger lobes that share a common excretory duct. The excretory ducts of the lobes of the mammary gland come together and open at the nipple.
Under normal conditions ( outside of pregnancy) the weight of the mammary gland is about 150 - 200 grams ( data can vary significantly depending on the physique of a woman). When pregnancy occurs, under the influence of sex hormones ( estrogen and progesterone) there is an increase in the blood supply to the gland tissue, as well as its intensive development, as a result of which its mass can increase by 2 times. From about the middle of pregnancy, the mammary gland can already produce milk, but this is prevented by a high concentration of the hormone progesterone. 2 - 3 days before the onset of childbirth, the development of the mammary gland ends. In this case, its mass can reach 600 - 900 grams. The concentration of progesterone decreases, causing the secretory cells of the mammary gland ( lactocytes) begin to produce colostrum ( "immature" human milk).
After childbirth, there is an increase in the concentration of estrogen ( female sex hormones) in the blood, as well as an increase in the concentration of the hormone prolactin. It is the latter hormone that is responsible for the increased formation and accumulation of milk in the mammary glands. During breastfeeding under the influence of another hormone ( oxytocin) there is a contraction of the muscle cells surrounding the acini and excretory ducts of the glandular tissue, as a result of which the resulting milk is released outward through the openings in the nipple area.
How long does lactation last?
The regulation of lactation is determined by the frequency of feeding the child. The fact is that the attachment of a newborn to the breast and mechanical irritation of the receptors ( special nerve cells) triggers a reflex reaction that stimulates the production of the hormones prolactin and oxytocin and the production of breast milk. Therefore, the more often the baby is applied to the breast, the more milk is produced by lactocytes. In addition, together with breast milk, a so-called inhibitor substance is produced, which inhibits the further formation of milk ( that is, the more milk, the more inhibitor is produced and the slower new milk is secreted). This protects the mammary glands from overflow.The main “stimulus” for stopping lactation is the disappearance of the sucking reflex in a child, which is observed at the age of 3-4 years. In the absence of a mechanical stimulus ( irritation of the nipple zone of the mammary gland) there is a decrease in the production of prolactin, as a result of which the process of milk formation slows down and fades away. The glandular tissue of the mammary gland is gradually destroyed, as a result of which it ( gland) may decrease in size.
It is worth noting that if the baby was weaned at an earlier date, lactation will also stop.
Can lactation occur without pregnancy?
The secretion of milk from the mammary glands in women outside of pregnancy and outside the period of breastfeeding ( galactorrhea) can be observed in diseases of the endocrine system and in some other pathological conditions.The cause of galactorrhea can be:
- tumor of the pituitary prolactinoma). The pituitary gland is a gland that produces hormones that regulate the functions of almost all organs and tissues. If the pituitary tumor consists of cells that produce the hormone prolactin, an increased concentration of this hormone will be maintained in the patient's blood, which may be accompanied by the formation and release of milk from the mammary glands.
- Diseases of the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is an organ that regulates the functions of the pituitary gland, as well as other endocrine glands. Under normal conditions, the hypothalamus secretes the substance dopamine, which inhibits the secretion of prolactin by the pituitary cells. When the hypothalamus is damaged with infection, trauma, tumor, and so on) this regulatory mechanism may be violated, as a result of which there will be an increased production of prolactin and the formation of milk in the mammary glands.
- Hypothyroidism. This is a disease of the thyroid gland, in which the concentration of hormones produced by it decreases ( thyroxine and triiodothyronine) in blood. This leads to increased production of the hormone thyroliberin by the hypothalamus, which can also stimulate the production of prolactin and galactorrhea.
- Kidney diseases. Under normal conditions, prolactin produced by the pituitary gland circulates in a woman's blood for a certain time, after which it is removed from the body through the kidneys. With a pronounced violation of kidney function, the process of removing prolactin may be disrupted, as a result of which galactorrhea may develop.
- The use of certain medications. Certain medicines ( for example, birth control pills containing estrogens) can also stimulate the formation of prolactin and the release of milk from the mammary glands outside of pregnancy. Another cause of galactorrhea may be the use of drugs that block the action of dopamine at the pituitary level, which will also be accompanied by increased production of prolactin.
Can men be lactating?
The reason for the appearance of milk from the mammary glands of a man may be prolactinoma - a tumor of the pituitary gland, accompanied by an increase in the concentration of prolactin in the blood. However, it is worth noting that this disease is not always accompanied by the formation of milk. The fact is that in the male body an extremely low concentration of estrogen is maintained ( female sex hormones), which are necessary for the growth and development of the mammary glands. This is why even with high levels of prolactin in the blood, galactorrhea in men may be absent.It is worth noting that galactorrhea in men can be observed with tumors that secrete female sex hormones, as well as with the artificial introduction of these hormones into the body.
Can children be lactating?
The secretion of milk from the mammary glands in children can be observed during the first few days or weeks of their life. This is due to the increased concentration of estrogen in their blood ( female sex hormones), which entered their body from the mother's body through the placenta ( organ that maintains the life of the fetus during fetal development). Increased estrogen concentration can stimulate the production of prolactin ( both boys and girls), which may be accompanied by the release of milk. This phenomenon usually disappears on its own after a while, when excess estrogen is excreted from the body of a newborn baby.Why does lactation disappear?
The reasons for the disappearance or reduction of lactation during breastfeeding may be some diseases and pathological conditions, as well as improper breastfeeding. Violation ( weakening) lactation may be due to:
- Hormonal disorders. For normal growth and development of the mammary glands, female sex hormones are necessary ( estrogens), as well as progesterone. At the same time, for secretion ( workings) breast milk requires the hormone prolactin, and for the release of milk from the gland - the hormone oxytocin. If the process of formation or production of at least one of these hormones is disrupted ( what can be observed with infectious lesions of the pituitary gland, if it is damaged during an injury, or with other diseases of the endocrine system), the lactation process will also be disrupted.
- Mastitis. This is an inflammatory disease of the breast, which can be caused by infections, trauma, or other lesions. After suffering mastitis, connective tissue scars may remain in the mammary glands, which are not able to produce milk. This will lead to a weakening of lactation.
- Improper feeding of the child. As mentioned earlier, putting the baby to the breast stimulates the production of new milk. If you feed your baby irregularly, taking long breaks between two subsequent feedings, this can disrupt the process of hormone production ( prolactin and oxytocin) and the formation of breast milk.
- The introduction of complementary foods. Complementary foods are supplementary foods that are recommended for children over 6 months of age in addition to breast milk. If complementary foods are introduced too quickly, the baby will be satiated with it, as a result of which he will not require the breast or will suckle it too sluggishly. This will lead to a violation of the breastfeeding regimen and disrupt the hormonal regulation of lactation, which will be accompanied by a decrease in the amount of breast milk.
- Child diseases. If a child has a weakened sucking reflex, during breastfeeding, there is not enough pronounced irritation of the nipples of the mammary gland, which also disrupts the process of producing new milk.
- Aerophagy. The essence of this pathology lies in the fact that during sucking, along with breast milk, the child swallows a large amount of air. Air enters the baby's stomach and stretches its walls, as a result of which the baby feels full too quickly and stops suckling. According to the mechanisms described earlier, this reduces the production of prolactin, oxytocin and breast milk.
- Medicines. Some medicines ( diuretics, anesthetics, drugs containing male sex hormones and so on) can inhibit the process of milk production in the mammary glands.
How does smoking affect lactation?
It has been scientifically proven that women who smoke have problems with lactation ( that is, its weakening) are 20% more common than non-smokers. Scientists associate the mechanism of development of this phenomenon with the action of nicotine ( a substance that is part of almost all cigarettes, cigars, smoking tobacco, and so on) to the central nervous system. It is assumed that nicotine during smoking activates the production of the substance dopamine. Dopamine inhibits the formation of the hormone prolactin, thereby reducing the rate of milk production in the mammary glands during breastfeeding.Are x-rays, fluorography, CT, MRI and ultrasound dangerous during lactation?
Performing diagnostic instrumental studies during breastfeeding is not contraindicated, since it cannot affect either the lactation process or the quality of breast milk.During x-ray or CT scans ( computed tomography) radiation waves are transmitted through the human body, which are partially absorbed by the cells of tissues and organs. As a result of exposure to these waves, certain mutations can be observed in cells. In this regard, there is an opinion among the people that after performing an x-ray, you need to express milk, since it is impossible to feed a child with it. However, this assertion is erroneous. The point is that under normal conditions ( in a healthy woman) mutated cells are quickly destroyed by the body's immune system, as a result of which they do not cause any harm to the woman. Milk, on the other hand, does not contain cells at all, so a single X-ray or CT scan will not affect its composition in any way.
Medications to increase lactation
Name of medication | Mechanism of action | Method of application and dosage |
lactogon | This is a dietary supplement based on herbal ingredients ( nettle, ginger, royal jelly, potassium iodide and so on). The drug stimulates the formation of breast milk and maintains lactation throughout the entire period of breastfeeding. | Inside, 1 tablet 3-4 times a day with meals, half an hour before feeding the baby. The course of treatment is 30 days. |
Pulsatilla compositum | A complex preparation based on the grass of the lumbago, sulfur and other components. Stimulates the formation of milk during breastfeeding, and also has a moderate sedative effect. | The drug is prescribed 1 ampoule 3-4 times a week. It is administered intravenously, intramuscularly or taken orally ( for this, the solution from the ampoule should be drunk). The course of treatment is 15 - 20 days. |
Mlecoin | A complex drug that can stimulate lactation. Produced in the form of granules. | Take orally, sucking 5 granules 30 minutes before meals twice a day ( morning and evening). Treatment is recommended to continue throughout the entire period of lactation. |
Folic acid during lactation
Folic acid is a vitamin necessary for the normal course of cell division processes in the body. In other words, without this vitamin, the growth and renewal of tissues and organs is impossible. During pregnancy, part of the folic acid from the woman's body is transferred to the body of the growing fetus, as a result of which the mother may develop a deficiency of this vitamin. During lactation, part of folic acid is spent on increasing the size of the mammary glands, as well as on the production of breast milk, which also requires its additional intake into the body. This is why it is recommended that all breastfeeding mothers take 300 micrograms of folic acid daily ( in the form of tablets). The course of treatment is 1 month, but if necessary, it can be extended ( after consultation with a doctor).Mixtures for nursing mothers to increase lactation ( milky way, lactamyl, femilac)
To date, there are many nutritional mixtures enriched with minerals, microelements and macronutrients, amino acids and other substances necessary to support the lactation process. The use of these mixtures in food provides abundant milk production, improves its composition, and also prevents the development of vitamin deficiency states, since they also include all the vitamins necessary for a nursing woman.
- Milky way blend. In addition to vitamins and microelements, the composition of the drug includes an extract of galega grass, which stimulates the formation of breast milk. To prepare the mixture, 1 tablespoon of dry matter should be poured into 150 - 200 ml of hot boiled water or milk ( not boiling water), stir and take orally within an hour after preparation. Take the drug in the indicated dosage should be 1 - 2 times a day for 2 - 4 weeks.
- Lactamyl blend. In addition to vitamins and minerals, this mixture contains components of plants that stimulate the formation of breast milk ( nettle, palm, soybean and other oils, anise, fennel and so on). To prepare a mixture of 50 grams of dry matter, pour 1 glass ( 200 ml) hot boiled water and mix thoroughly. The resulting mixture should be drunk within 40-60 minutes after preparation. The duration of the course of treatment is determined depending on the effectiveness of the drug, as well as on its tolerance by the patient.
- Femilac blend. To prepare the mixture, take 7 - 9 measuring spoons ( are included in the package) dry matter and pour 1 cup ( 200 ml) hot boiled water or milk. After thorough mixing, the mixture must be taken orally. Also dry matter can be added to tea ( 1 - 2 spoons 3 - 4 times a day).
Breast massage to increase lactation
Properly performed breast massage stimulates the production of milk ( by stimulating the receptors of the peripapillary zone and stimulating the production of prolactin). Massage also promotes the release of milk from the acini ( mammary glands), thereby preventing its stagnation.Breast massage can be performed:
- 1 way. Slightly pressing on the upper sections of the mammary gland with your fingers, perform circular movements with them, gradually going down ( towards the nipple). The procedure should be performed for 20-30 seconds, and then repeated with the second mammary gland.
- 2 way. First, you should lightly press your fingers on the upper part of the mammary gland ( under the collarbone) and then swipe down ( to the nipple), while maintaining a slight pressure on the gland. Repeat the procedure 3-5 times, then move on to the second gland.
- 3 way. Take the nipple with two fingers and gently massage it for 5 to 30 seconds ( it will promote prolactin secretion and milk production).
Does pumping and using a breast pump increase lactation?
Expressing breast milk allows you to maintain lactation at the right level or even stimulate it.Pumping can be useful both for feeding a baby ( in this case, expressed milk is given to the child at regular intervals), and to remove milk from the mammary glands in cases where it accumulates in excess. For example, this can be observed with the introduction of complementary foods, when the child is satiated much faster than usual.
You can perform the pumping procedure manually or using a special device ( breast pump). In the first case, the essence of the procedure is as follows. The peripapillary zone of the gland should be clasped with all the fingers of the hand, and then slightly squeeze it ( gland) with fingertips, moving them to the braid. This procedure should be repeated several times until drops appear from the nipple area, and then streams of milk.
It is much easier to express milk with a breast pump. The essence of this device lies in the fact that it creates negative pressure around the nipple area, as a result of which the milk is “pulled out” from the lobules of the mammary gland, falling into a special reservoir.
Both with manual pumping and with the use of a breast pump, there is a maintenance or increase in breast milk production. The mechanism of development of this effect is that during pumping, the peripapillary zone of the mammary gland is irritated, which triggers the secretion of the hormone prolactin, which stimulates lactopoiesis ( milk production). In addition, the removal of milk from the lobules of the gland reduces the concentration of the inhibitor substance ( which inhibits the formation of new milk), which also stimulates lactation.
Is it possible to drink domperidone to stimulate lactation?
Domperidone is an antiemetic drug that is used to relieve nausea and prevent vomiting, and may also increase lactation.The mechanism of antiemetic action of domperidone is that it blocks dopamine receptors at the level of the central nervous system ( CNS), thereby eliminating its inhibitory effect on the motility of the gastrointestinal tract. This increases the peristalsis of the stomach and intestines, which accelerates their emptying and eliminates the feeling of nausea.
As mentioned earlier, the secretion of the hormone prolactin responsible for lactation by pituitary cells also depends on the level of dopamine in the CNS ( dopamine slows down the production of prolactin). When using domperidone, the effect of dopamine on the pituitary gland is also blocked. This may increase the concentration of prolactin in the blood, which will stimulate the formation of milk. Some women use this effect of the drug to stimulate lactation. However, it is worth remembering that galactorrhea ( increased milk production) is not the main, but a side effect of domperidone. In addition, the use of this medication may be associated with a number of other adverse reactions ( irritability, headaches, allergic reactions and so on). That is why it can be used to stimulate lactation only after consultation with a gynecologist and only after they have been tested ( and turned out to be ineffective.) other methods.
Increased lactation with folk remedies and herbs ( nettle, dill, fennel) at home
To stimulate lactation, you can use folk recipes based on the use of various herbal ingredients ( herbs, berries and so on).To improve lactation, you can take:
- Infusion of nettle leaves. To prepare the infusion, you need to grind 50 grams of fresh nettle leaves and pour 500 ml of boiling water over them. Insist for 2 hours, then strain and take 1 tablespoon orally half an hour before meals.
- Infusion of dill seeds. Chopped dill seeds ( 20 grams) should be poured with 200 ml of boiling water and infused for an hour. Strain and take orally 1 tablespoon 10-15 minutes before meals.
- Fennel infusion. To prepare the infusion, 1 tablespoon of fennel seeds should be poured with 1 cup of boiling water or boiled milk and infused for 2 hours. Then the resulting infusion must be filtered and taken orally for 3 doses ( morning, afternoon and evening 10-15 minutes before meals).
Teas for lactation ( hipp, humana, lactovite)
To increase lactation, you can use teas from various plants and herbs, which include components that enhance milk production.To increase lactation, you can take:
- Tea with fennel and dill. To prepare this tea, you need to mix 10 grams ( half a tablespoon) fennel and dill seeds, pour boiling water over them, cover and leave for 10 - 15 minutes. The resulting tea can be drunk at a time or divided into several doses.
- Human tea. Tea can be purchased at the pharmacy. It consists of a collection of herbs and vitamins that stimulate milk production. To prepare 1 serving of tea, pour 3 teaspoons of granules with boiling water and insist for 10-15 minutes.
- Hippie tea. This is the commercial name of the drug, which includes extracts of many herbs that stimulate lactation ( in particular herbs of fennel, anise, galega, nettle and so on). The drug is produced in the form of granules. To prepare tea, 2 teaspoons of granules should be poured with 200 ml of boiling water and infused for 10-15 minutes.
- Tea is lactic. The composition of this tea also includes extracts of anise, cumin, dill, fennel and nettle. Tea is produced in convenient bags, which you just need to pour 200 ml of boiling water. Brewed tea should be taken 100 ml 2 times a day ( morning and evening).
How to establish lactation after caesarean section?
A caesarean section is an operation during which the baby is removed from the mother's uterus by artificial means ( not through the natural birth canal). If the operation is performed on time ( that is, if the child is full-term), the mother should not have problems with lactation, since the mammary glands are already prepared to produce milk. It is extremely important that immediately after removing the child ( within the first 30 minutes) he was placed on his mother's breast ( at least for a few seconds). This will calm the woman, and also stimulates the production of the hormone prolactin and the formation of milk. In the future, the maintenance of lactation does not differ from that during natural childbirth.If the caesarean section was performed earlier ( that is, if the baby is premature), a woman may experience problems with lactation, that is, a lack of milk. This is due to the fact that the mammary glands have not yet had time to prepare for the production of milk, since the child was removed from the womb prematurely. In this case, it is also recommended to attach the baby to the breast immediately after extraction from the uterus, which will contribute to the production of prolactin. In the future, the baby should be applied to the breast regularly ( several times a day). Even if there is no milk at the same time, such a procedure will speed up the process of preparing the mammary glands for lactation. In addition, these women may be prescribed medications, teas, or other lactation-stimulating drugs ( described earlier).
Is it possible to restore lactation after a break in feeding?
It is possible to restore lactation after a break, but this may require a lot of effort.The reasons for a break in lactation can be:
- Mother's illnesses. Some diseases ( mastitis - inflammation of the mammary gland, hormonal disorders, pronounced nervous experiences, stress, and so on) may be accompanied by the disappearance of milk. In addition, with some infectious diseases, breastfeeding is also not recommended.
- Taking certain medications. When using a number of medicines, it is impossible to feed a child with breast milk, since with it medicines can enter the baby's body and cause a number of complications.
- Travel / work. During long business trips, it is impossible to regularly breastfeed a child, and therefore lactation disorders may develop.
The restoration of lactation after a break can be facilitated by:
- Regular breastfeeding. Even if the baby does not start suckling immediately, and when sucking milk is not released, it is necessary to continue to do this day after day, as this procedure will help normalize hormonal levels ( that is, the production of prolactin and oxytocin) and the development of lactation.
- Performing breast massage. Artificial irritation of the peripapillary zone receptors will also stimulate the production of hormones responsible for restoring lactation.
- Taking medications that increase lactation. It can be both pharmacological preparations and folk remedies ( herbal teas, teas, etc.).
How to properly stop stop) breast milk lactation?
Natural cessation of breastfeeding should occur when the child reaches the age of 1-5 years ( ideally - 2 - 4 years). In order to properly wean a child from the breast and avoid the development of complications, a number of rules should be followed when stopping lactation. To properly stop lactation, it is recommended:
- Timely introduce complementary foods. After the child reaches the age of 6 months, he should begin to give complementary foods - various nutrient mixtures that will partially replace breast milk for him. At the same time, during breastfeeding, the baby will be satiated faster, as a result of which he will suckle less at the breast. This will be accompanied by a decrease in the production of the hormone prolactin and milk. After the child reaches the age of 12-18 months, he should be fed regular food ( nutritional mixtures, cereals and so on), but only as an additional source of nutrition to give breast milk ( no more than 2 - 3 times a day). In the future, the child should be breastfed less and less.
- Wean the baby off the breast. When breastfeeding is stopped, some children may become whiny, nervous, and regularly demand the breast. Feeding an older child older than a year) breast milk at his first request should not be, since in this case it will be extremely difficult to stop lactation. It is important to provide him with adequate nutrition through complementary foods or other food, and when the child requires a breast, give him a pacifier ( pacifier).
- Express "excess" milk. It is extremely important to prevent stagnation of milk in the mammary gland and the development of associated complications ( in particular severe pain, infection, and so on). This is why breast milk is sometimes recommended ( not often, no more than 1 - 2 times a day) express.
- Use medication to stop lactation. If the baby has already weaned from the breast, and milk continues to be produced, you can take special medications that will slow down or completely stop milk production by the mammary glands.
Rapid Discontinuation Tablets ( completion) lactation ( cabergoline, dostinex, bergolac, agalates, bromocriptine)
As mentioned earlier, to stop lactation, you can take special pills. Their mechanism of action is that they all stimulate dopamine receptors located at the level of the central nervous system ( in the pituitary gland). As a result, the production of the hormone prolactin is suppressed, which entails the inhibition of milk production by the mammary glands.To stop lactation, you can use:
- Cabergoline ( dostinex, bergolac, agalates). To suppress lactation immediately after childbirth, take 2 tablets of 500 mg. To suppress lactation that has already begun, the drug should be taken 250 mg 2 times a day for 2 days in a row.
- Bromocriptine. Inside, 1.25 - 2.5 mg every 8 - 12 hours. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor.
How to stop lactation without pills ( with the help of folk remedies - herbs of sage and mint)?
To reduce the amount of milk produced, it is not necessary to take drugs that have a large number of side effects. To do this, you can use folk recipes, that is, infusions and decoctions from various plants.To reduce lactation, you can use:
- Infusion of sage herb. 2 full tablespoons of chopped sage herb should be poured with 500 ml of boiling water and infused for 3 to 4 hours. The cooled infusion should be filtered and taken orally 100 ml ( half a glass) 3 times a day, 15-20 minutes before meals. A decrease in lactation will be noticeable within 2 to 3 days after the start of using the infusion.
- Sage tea. 2 teaspoons of sage herb should be poured into 100 ml of boiling water, infused for 10-15 minutes and taken orally. This tea can be drunk up to 4-5 times a day ( at the same time, it is not recommended to combine the intake of tea with the intake of sage infusion).
- Infusion of mint leaves. 1 tablespoon chopped mint leaves should be poured into 1 cup ( 200 ml) boiling water and insist for 2 hours. Then the infusion should be filtered and taken orally 100 ml ( half a glass) 2 times a day ( morning and evening) after meal.
Camphor oil to stop lactation
During the interruption of lactation should be regularly ( 1 - 2 times a day) lubricate the nipple and peripapillary region of the mammary gland with camphor oil, rubbing it lightly for 1 to 2 minutes. Camphor oil allows you to wean a child from breastfeeding, and also alleviates the pain experienced by the mother during this period.The mechanism of action of camphor oil is due to:
- Pungent smell. If you apply oil to the nipple area, the characteristic unpleasant odor will "scare" the child, as a result of which he will lose the desire to suckle the breast.
- Warming action. By irritating the skin receptors at the site of application, the oil creates a feeling of warmth in the peripapillary zone, which to a certain extent reduces the severity of pain in the mammary glands associated with milk stagnation observed during weaning.
- Antibacterial action. Applying oil to the nipple area helps prevent the development of infectious complications in the presence of nipple cracks, as well as with a predisposition to the development of mastitis ( breast inflammation).
Is it possible to bind drag) mammary glands to prevent lactation?
The essence of this procedure is that the mammary glands are tightly bandaged with elastic bandages, pressing them to the chest. This disrupts the process of outflow of breast milk from the lobules of the mammary glands, contributing to its stagnation. This increases the concentration of the so-called inhibitor substance, which partially inhibits the production of new milk. It should be noted that in the past this technique was very popular, as it allowed relatively quickly ( within 5 - 7 days) completely suppress lactation.To date, gynecologists do not recommend bandaging the mammary glands, as this is associated with a number of side effects ( in particular, the risk of developing infectious complications and inflammation of the mammary gland increases). In addition, when performing this procedure, a woman may also experience severe pain associated with milk production and overflow of the breast lobules, which will also cause her some trouble. It is much easier and safer to stop lactation naturally, and if you need a quick result, you can take special pills or use the folk recipes described earlier.
Before use, you should consult with a specialist.How to increase the amount of breast milk
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 the best way is to count the number of wet diapers. Children of the first months of life should urinate at least 10-12 times a day. If you're used to using disposable diapers and don't mind spending a little more disposable diapers a 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 watermelons. 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 food sufficiently high-calorie, varied and tasty.
3. Bad mood, stress. If a mother has a bad psychological state, then she is not up to feeding and not up to the child. Severe stress, such as, for example, the loss of a 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.
A young mother may not be familiar with all the intricacies of breastfeeding, therefore, at the first stage of motherhood, there may be many difficulties associated with feeding and.
Believe me, these are temporary problems that can be avoided by keeping calm and common sense. Very soon you will learn to understand the desires of your crumbs without words, but for now - be patient!
And now let's dwell on this in more detail.
So how to increase the amount of breast milk during breastfeeding, what foods increase lactation in a nursing mother? Let's find out from our article.
How do you know if your baby is getting enough milk?
In the first days of a baby's life, there are usually no problems with feeding. Still: after all, next to the young mother there is a medical staff, at any moment answering all questions!
Nurses will help a woman to drain her breasts, teach her how to properly attach a child to her breast, and doctors will monitor how the mother’s milk arrives, explain how to prolong breastfeeding for a long time.
But upon returning home, the young mother will need to independently learn to guess the desires of the crumbs, determine whether he is full, and for what reason he cries.
Whether your baby is hungry or not, you can tell by the nature of his stool. If the baby gets enough milk, his stool becomes dark yellow, has a slight odor and a slightly watery consistency.
You can find out if the baby is hungry by looking at the stool!
The number of bowel movements in a well-fed child in the first months of life is up to 8 times a day. This is quite normal and confirms that your baby is getting enough breast milk.
If the frequency of the stool has changed and the color has changed to brown, the baby needs more food. Just do not rush to introduce complementary formula for infants: usually the correction of the mother's diet leads to an increase in the amount of her milk.
The second true indicator of your baby's satiety is the amount of urine and its color. If the baby's diaper is full every 3-4 hours and heavy, and the absorbed discharge is light in color, most likely the baby is not malnourished.
This symptom is typical for a baby older than five days of age, before this time the urine may have a dark color - this is a variant of the norm, do not worry.
You can find out if your baby is getting enough milk by weighing him before and after each feeding. To do this, purchase a special scale for newborns (you can rent them or buy them in a store).
Massage to improve lactation:
- Get on all fours, tilt your head down. Move around the room in this position until you get tired.
- Stand up straight. Spread your arms to the sides, and then cross them in front of you like scissors and spread them again. Repeat the exercise up to 10 times, with each swing raising your arms higher, at the end crossing them over your head.
- Sit Turkish. Bend your elbows at chest level, bringing your palms together and pointing your fingers up. Counting to 3, firmly press your palms together, at the expense of 4, relax them without lowering your hands. Repeat 10 times.
Weigh the baby before and after each breastfeeding, note the difference. For 3-5 days, record the readings of the milk your child has eaten. A child at the age of one week should eat 30-50 ml of milk per feeding. By the month, this rate reaches 100 ml.
Of course, each baby is individual: one may eat more milk, the other - less. A weakened child will drink less milk than his strong peer who was born with a large weight. Show your chart to your pediatrician, who will determine if your baby's feeding rate needs to be adjusted and if you are breastfeeding correctly.
Whether a baby is getting enough milk can also be determined by how correctly he grabs the breast when feeding: the baby should wrap his lips around not only the nipple, but also the halo. With a wide open mouth, the child grabs the mammary gland and begins sucking movements, then a pause follows, during which the baby takes a sip of a portion of milk and closes his mouth. The longer the pause, the more milk the baby got.
How to increase the amount of breast milk?
It would seem that you are doing everything right: the baby is confidently suckling the breast, he is gaining weight well, calm and cheerful.
But suddenly you began to notice that the amount of breast milk you have decreased, the breast does not fill up so much before feeding, and the child wakes up more often to eat.
Perhaps you are just tired and lost your usual rhythm of life. Try to calm down: the help of household members will now be useful. Involve relatives in caring for the child, get more rest, if possible, take solo walks in the fresh air.
Do not forget about the proper nutrition of a nursing mother: your diet should include healthy, non-greasy foods and forget about spices. The amount of liquid you consume should be about 2 liters per day: preference should be given to decoctions of dried fruits, herbal infusions.
Recipes to enhance lactation:
- Healthy cocktail. Mix 100 ml of milk, 3 cups of kefir, 1 teaspoon of chopped dill, 1 teaspoon of honey, 2 walnut kernels. Beat all the ingredients with a mixer or in a blender. Drinking a glass of this smoothie at breakfast will promote good milk flow throughout the day.
- Milk-nut infusion. Brew 3-4 walnut kernels with a glass of boiled milk. Add 1 teaspoon of honey. Keep the mixture in a thermos for about an hour. Divide the serving into 4 portions and take during the day as well as at night.
Dairy products must be present in your diet: fermented baked milk, low-fat kefir, which will positively affect milk production and have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
A young mother should not forget about night feedings. As you know, the hormone Prolactin is responsible for the quality production of milk. And most of its production occurs at night.
This is why breastfeeding at night is essential to increase breast milk supply. At first it will seem very difficult, but motherhood is not an easy task, be patient for the sake of your child!
Modern multivitamins for nursing mothers can also increase the amount of breast milk. Your body is weakened by childbirth and caring for the baby, and getting enough nutrients from food is not always possible.
Talk to your doctor: ask which vitamins are right for you, how and how much to take. There are also drugs that increase lactation: a doctor's consultation, apparently, will not be superfluous for you.
Drink tea with milk half an hour before feeding!
After feeding the crumbs, pour hot water over the breast (about 40 degrees), express excess milk in a circular motion from top to bottom for 5 minutes. This procedure well stimulates the production of milk and relaxes the nervous system. And with a calm mother, as you know, the child does not cry.
Drink tea with milk half an hour before each feeding. This is an old, proven method of producing breast milk for years. Tea should not be hot and strong: dilute it in a cup with a little milk. You can add a teaspoon of honey to this mixture: a healthy product is ready for use!
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What to do if a nursing mother has lost milk?
Milk cannot disappear in one day, therefore, if you have not had problems with feeding before, the baby is cheerful and cheerful, gaining weight - you should not be upset.
The amount of milk may have decreased for psychological reasons or due to fatigue.
The attitude is important here: if you are confident in yourself, agree to go through all the difficulties, just to continue breastfeeding your baby - you will be able to return lactation to normal.
If your baby is constantly crying, making quick movements while sucking - most likely, he really does not have enough milk! Do not panic! And don't stop feeding, especially at night. Try to feed the baby from both breasts: after he eats from one, offer the second.
Carry the child in your arms more often, focus only on the child. Leave the care of your home to your loved ones. Do not rush to supplement the baby from the bottle: after recognizing the nipple, he is unlikely to take the breast next time.
If you lose breast milk, your doctor may advise you to take medications: for example, it increases lactation perfectly. Also, with small amounts of breast milk, many mothers take the drug Leptaden.
To increase lactation, it will be useful for the mother to use dry milk formulas: Femilak, Enfa-Mama, Olympic - they are designed specifically for nursing mothers, they do not cause harm, they act gently.
If the amount of milk in your breasts began to decrease, try drinking teas for nursing mothers: for example, Hipp tea is designed to maintain normal lactation, alternating it with fruit juices and drinks (both fresh and store-bought), you will not know What is a lactation crisis? Also, you can add biologically active additives "Apilactin" or "Laktogon" to your permanent diet.
Extensive information regarding . How to treat mastopathy, experienced reviews.
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Increasing lactation folk remedies
How and how to increase the lactation of breast milk with folk remedies? Many mothers are well helped to increase the amount of breast milk juice from carrots.
Grate a small carrot, squeeze through cheesecloth and take half a glass several times a day, after diluting the resulting juice with milk.
You can also pour a few tablespoons of grated carrots with milk, add honey and use this mixture 100 g 3 times a day.
Carrot juice increases lactation!
From anise seeds, you can also make a healthy drink to increase lactation: pour the seeds with a glass of boiling water, wrap in a towel and let it brew for several hours. Half an hour before meals, take the resulting broth in a tablespoon 3 times a day. In the same way, you can prepare an infusion of cumin.
In late spring, juice from dandelion leaves well increases lactation. Pass the young leaves of the plant through a meat grinder, squeeze through cheesecloth, salt the juice and let it brew for about an hour. The resulting infusion drink 2 times a day for half a cup. To soften the bitterness, add a little sugar or a spoonful of honey to the drink.
An infusion of dill seeds also helps to increase lactation: brew them with a glass of boiling water, let it brew for 2 hours and use a tablespoon 6-8 times a day.
For a new mother, the main thing is to establish the process of natural feeding in the right way. We can say with confidence that your child is eating properly and has enough milk if:
- the baby's diaper is full every 3-4 hours, the urine is light and odorless
- The baby has a bowel movement after every feed. The color of his stool is dark yellow and the consistency is slightly watery.
- when feeding, the baby grabs the nipple along with the areola, makes confident sucking movements: the mouth is open - pause - the mouth is closed.
- Sleep should be at least 10 hours a day - night and day.
- Outdoor walks for at least 2 hours.
- Frequent attachment of the child to the breast from birth (at least 10 times a day), with obligatory night feedings.
- Good nutrition and an increase in the amount of fluid consumed up to 1.5-2 liters per day (this is tea, soups, decoctions, milk, sour-milk products).
- Shower-massage of the chest.
- Drink hot green tea 30 minutes before feeding.
- Use vitamins for nursing mothers.
So that you always have a lot of breast milk - rest more often, take care only of the child. Leave household chores to loved ones. Take your baby to bed and be sure to feed him at night: this perfectly stimulates milk production.
Eat right and drink enough fluids. If your milk begins to disappear - do not panic: be sure to consult a doctor.
Modern medicines, biological supplements, folk methods for increasing lactation will definitely help you continue breastfeeding. Stay calm and confidently go to your goal: feeding the crumbs only with breast milk!
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
Undoubtedly, every woman dreams of feeling this happiness - breastfeeding her own child. All mothers know about the benefits and benefits of natural feeding, so they strive to give their baby everything only the best. In fact, it is not so easy to establish lactation. Often, new mothers giving birth for the first time do not imagine the correct sucking technique. A seemingly simple process does not bring results, women face some problems and difficulties.
Most young mothers do not have the correct technique for applying the baby to the breast, so they often have to face difficulties in establishing lactation (see also:)Phases of lactation
When does the first breast milk appear? The next day after giving birth, women have colostrum. It happens even in the hospital. As a rule, it is not much, just a few drops. The secretion of all women who have given birth will work differently. Sometimes milk arrives in small portions, and its volume increases closer to 4-5 days. Sometimes milk comes abruptly and unexpectedly - usually for 3-4 days. In such cases, a woman notices a sharp increase in the volume of the mammary glands, they harden and cause pain, enlarged veins are visible on the chest, body temperature rises.
This period lasts from 1 to 2 days, followed by the establishment of normal feeding, but only if the breasts are well emptied. A couple of weeks after giving birth, a woman already has mature milk, which will change its composition depending on the mother's diet.
How long does it take for the body to start producing milk? In women who have given birth to their first child, milk may come late - only on the 5th-6th day, and in some cases only at the beginning of the second week. Once having arrived, milk arrives in increasing quantities every day and reaches its “climax” between 10 and 20 weeks. A high level of production will be established and will be maintained throughout the entire period of feeding. Milk production will depend on a number of reasons, in particular, on the duration of feeding. In one day, a woman in the first week after childbirth produces about 200-300 ml of useful "drink".
How to recognize mature lactation?
Mature lactation is characterized by an uninterrupted supply of milk and the absence of sudden tides. Each woman may have her own individual characteristics in this regard. So, sometimes during the phase of mature lactation there are crises, while other women calmly continue to feed the babies without any failures.
Mature lactation is accompanied by soft mammary glands. This phase can be established in different ways, in time it takes from 1 to 3 months. A woman notices changes in her well-being. The previously present discomfort from the rush of milk becomes imperceptible. The feeling of lightness often frightens mothers with the fact that the milk in the breast could disappear completely.
How to understand when mature lactation has come? It can be identified by a number of symptoms:
- the chest becomes soft and light (not heavy);
- absence of pain symptoms with milk tides;
- before each feeding it seems that the breasts are not completely filled, that milk has not arrived in them;
- the absence of discomfort of any plan that previously bothered the nursing mother.
The period of mature lactation becomes a real joy for the mother, since the physiological discomfort from lactation remains in the past Remember! The most important role is played not by hormones, but by the quality of the emptying of the mammary glands at each feeding.
During this period, a woman may have a place. They are accompanied by a decrease in the intensity of milk production. There is no need to be afraid of these crises - the situation, as a rule, improves within three days, rarely a week.
Hypogalactia
What to do if the woman who gave birth does not have milk? The lack of milk in the mother may well be diagnosed. This phenomenon is called hypogalactia, i.e. decreased lactation after childbirth. The reasons for its appearance can be very diverse. Some of the most significant are overwork, poor nutrition, stress and a nervous home and social environment.
Hypogalactia is curable - in order to fight it, you must first of all provide your mother with a full and sufficient sleep in the amount of 7-8 hours a day, as well as good nutrition. What it includes: strong tea (1 liter) with the addition of milk (1 liter), as well as fermented milk products in equal amounts. It is important in this case to establish and "neutralize" interfering factors.
Help in the development of lactation
A young mother should be informed about the principles underlying successful lactation even in the maternity hospital, immediately after childbirth. Medical staff must convey to the woman the following information:
- Earlier breastfeeding. It is extremely important (experts on breastfeeding do not tire of repeating this) to give the baby a breast as soon as possible after birth (immediately in the hospital), preferably within 30-60 minutes. Why is there such a hurry? At this time, neuroendocrine mechanisms start their work, which are responsible for the regulation of milk production in a woman who has just given birth. The first early application is a signal for the beginning of active actions: “A lot of milk is required!”.
- Colostrum is a valuable product for the baby. Thanks to the first drops, the newborn receives unique components that populate his small stomach with beneficial microflora, and protective antibodies begin to be produced in the body. The first application is an impetus to the activation of a whole range of functions. It is at this time that close bonds begin to be established between mother and child. When these connections become tangible, the mother understands the needs of her baby and gives herself a positive attitude to continue full breastfeeding.
- Feeding on demand- the baby receives a breast as soon as necessary (he wants to eat or just calm down). The duration of feeding is also not limited. This method helps to establish sufficient milk production. Frequent and prolonged sucking stimulates the mammary glands, as a result, more and more milk comes. Sucking releases the hormone prolactin. The task of prolactin is the active secretory activity of the mammary glands.
If the mother manages to feed the baby within an hour after the birth, milk production will be urgently launched in full due to complex hormonal processes. Additional Important Factors
- Feed at night and early morning hours. It is at this time that the maximum amount of prolactin will be produced, the likelihood of establishing stable lactation will be higher.
- Do not supplement with water. Breastfed newborns do not need additional fluids, as mother's milk is not only food, but also drink.
- Do not formula feed. Often mothers make a mistake and start feeding the baby with adapted mixtures, fearing a lack of milk. Such actions are erroneous: the colostrum that appears at this time in the breast is very nutritious. Its energy value is so high that even 5 ml of colostrum (and there is always a little of it at this time, from 10 to 50 ml per day) will be enough for the baby. It is easier for a baby to “get” a mixture from a bottle, and this can reduce the sucking activity of the child, complicate and slow down the process of lactation.
- In the first practices of attachment, it is important to prevent the appearance of cracks and irritation on the nipples and areolas, they will complicate the feeding process.
To maintain breast health and improve lactation, a young mother needs to follow the correct application technique. You can see it in specialized videos, and employees of the maternity hospital or the local pediatrician are also obliged to give basic knowledge.
Milk straining
Getting to the stage of mature lactation is not always easy. Attachment pain will persist until this period arrives. A baby who is not emptying his chest well needs your help - you need to drain the milk ducts so that they all begin to function. Would you like to know how to open your chest? Follow the following rules.
Rules
- Correct application technique is the key to good lactation. When feeding, the child should capture the nipple with the mouth along with the areola, then each gland will be stimulated and work. The constant arrival of milk in the first week and incomplete emptying of the breasts by the baby can cause a fever. The way out of this situation is to express as much as possible to the last drop. Otherwise, lactostasis may lie in wait for you (more in the article:).
- Before feeding, you can make compresses from the cabbage leaf. Apply the leaves to the breasts for 10-20 minutes, they will help soften the breasts and relieve pain, after the compress it will be easier to spread.
- In the absence of a high temperature, it is quite possible to drink something hot: tea with milk, and you can also take a warm shower or bath.
- The flow of milk will increase if, before pumping, the mammary glands are developed with a light massage in the form of strokes, but without active pressing on the glands. It will be a great stimulation for full pumping.
- How to unwind after childbirth? For pumping, you can use modern devices that operate by creating a vacuum. The device is attached to the areola, after which work begins: manually, if it is manual, or from the network (with an electric type of device). Which type is more convenient is up to you.
- If you want to pump yourself (for more details in the article:), you need to do it “from the inside”. By making circular movements with both hands, you will help increase the flow of milk to the areola - this will help disperse lactation. Now you need to press on the areola and make a smooth movement towards the nipple, as if prompting the milk in the right direction.
- After the process is completed, it is recommended to leave the chest open. You need to do this for 15 minutes. So a new portion of milk will get unhindered access to the mammary glands.
You can consider the pumping technique in more detail using examples of video tutorials. Such training courses will tell you how to disperse milk and strain it correctly.