Methods to Increase Breast Milk Production

Introduction

Breastfeeding is crucial for infants' growth and development. It fulfills their nutritional needs and creates an emotional dependency of the newborn on the mother. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for newborns for at least six months. There is no known substitute for breast milk despite research on making various formula milk. It is of utmost importance to develop a smooth bonding between the mother and the newborn to build prolonged breastfeeding. Maintaining a close association with the newborn can help to promote breastfeeding.

How Can We Increase Breast Milk Production?

Breast milk is a biological fluid secreted by the mammary gland. The secretion is regulated by the hormones of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Oxytocin and prolactin are the main hormones responsible for breast milk production. The first milk secreted by the breast contains colostrum which protects the newborns from infections and helps in building the immune response. The milk composition keeps on changing as per the child's needs during the initial days after postpartum. The sucking ability of the baby and emptying of the breast are the main factors regulating the milk flow. There are numerous ways to increase milk supply naturally.

Some of them are;

• Practicing a Good Latch: The baby's attachment to the mother's breast is called a breastfeeding latch. Establishing a good latch is essential to promote sucking and a regular milk supply. You may try all the latch positions to determine the most comfortable position for you and your baby.

• Massage of the Breast: Massaging the breast before, after, and sometimes in between the feed boosts the milk volume and can help a mother to develop a proper milk flow.

• Breastfeed Often: When your baby sucks your nipples while breastfeeding, it triggers the hormones responsible for breast milk production. This is called the "letting down reflex," which contracts your breast muscles and establishes proper milk flow through the ducts of your mammary gland. Hence when you feed more, you produce more milk.

• Maintaining a Skin-To-Skin Touch With Your Baby: An emotional bond develops when you live in close association with your baby. Your baby desires to breastfeed often, which ultimately promotes milk supply.

• Removing the Extra Milk After Breastfeeding: You should extract the extra remaining milk from the breast after completing the breastfeeding. This helps to clear the duct and maintains a smooth flow of milk.

• Warm Compression Application: Applying warm compression to the breast before breastfeeding could be helpful for many mothers suffering from low milk supply.

• Using Both Breasts for Feeding: It is essential to use both breasts for breastfeeding to maintain a gradual milk flow in both breasts.

• Medication: A lactating mother should take any medication during their breastfeeding period under the supervision of her doctor as it can interfere with the milk supply and may even have ill effects on the infant's health.

• Nutritional Diet: All lactating mothers need to develop a habit of eating high dietary food and drinking lots of water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a well-nourished mother needs an additional 330 calories to 400 calories per day, and the overall calorie intake should be 2,000 calories to 2,800 calories per day.

Is There Any Food That Can Support Breast Milk Production?

Some studies on the food habit of lactating mothers suggest that consumption of certain foods can promote milk production and supply in the ducts of the mammary gland. These foods are;

• Fenugreek seeds.

• Spinach.

• Fennel.

• Oats.

• Brewer's yeast.

A mother must eat a balanced diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding as; "A healthy mother can make a healthy child."

What Are the Signs of Low Breast Milk Production?

Usually, a mother produces enough milk to meet the nutritional needs of their infants. The lactation period is a troublesome period for most mothers all across the globe. Almost all mothers worry about their way of breastfeeding, the amount of milk secretion, and nutrition for their newborn. The secretion is low during the postpartum period when you are undergoing physiological changes. This is the time when you and your babies are adapting to breastfeeding.

Some signs can be mistaken for low milk supply these include;

• Babies desire breastfeeding often.

• The baby is waking up for milk.

• The baby feeds for a shorter time.

• The baby is not pooping regularly.

• Your breast is becoming soft, without engorgement.

However, there are some symptoms indicative of low milk supply; they are:

• Your baby is not showing weight gain.

• Your baby is not using enough diapers as breastfeeding babies poop more than those babies dependent on formula milk.

• Your baby shows signs of dehydration like low urine formation, crying without tears, and a prolonged sleeping period.

What Causes a Low Milk Supply?

Numerous factors affect the mother's ability to produce milk production. Some commonly known causes are:

• You Cannot Develop a Good Latch: A mother should take support from a lactation counselor to learn the correct latching techniques and position for breastfeeding.

• Dependency on Formula Milk: If you are feeding your baby more with formula milk and breastfeeding your baby less, you will have low milk production, leading to early breastfeeding cessation.

• Early Weaning: Weaning is the phase when a newborn is first introduced to solids. If you approach early weaning for your baby, you will have decreased milk production.

• Smoking: A mother with smoking and drinking habits will produce less milk.

• Lactation Mastitis: Lactation mastitis is the breast inflammation that affects breast milk formation.

• Certain Medications: A hormonal medicine and oral contraceptives containing estrogen cause a decrease in milk supply. Some other causes are a history of breast surgery, premature birth, and pregnancy-induced blood pressure are known to affect breast milk formation.

Conclusion

Early initiation of breastfeeding may save newborns from catching infections. Breastfeeding is beneficial for both mothers and infants for the initial six months, and you may continue breastfeeding till the mother and baby desire. The baby's ability to empty the breast regulates the volume of breast milk production. Some emotional instability of mothers like stress, anxiety, and pain may also affect breast milk. A lactation counselor or breastfeeding specialist may help a mother educate on the correct positioning and latching.