Increased lactation. Are “lactogonics” beneficial? When you really need help

Many women who become pregnant are extremely concerned about the question of whether there are lactation products. Their concern for the child is quite understandable and conscious, because he may simply not have enough milk for normal feeding. Fortunately, modern medicine has come very far forward, and there are remedies.

There are a number of signs by which you can determine that feeding is not going as it should and the baby is not getting enough milk. A starving child is easy to recognize. A good way to understand this is to simply observe his behavior. He will not scream, cry or act restless. Starving children are lethargic, prone to sleep, and do not breastfeed well. Inexperienced mothers take this for the child’s melancholic temperament and passivity, and may not suspect that the baby is starving.

There is no need to think that children do not cry from hunger. They cry when hunger is a normal physiological phenomenon, a sign to be fed. Tears stop when hunger becomes a constant occurrence.

If the child is not starving, but simply hungry, then he greedily pounces on the breast and sucks with special zeal. Also, children behave during a period of active growth, and this is a completely normal situation.

Additional factors

The baby should latch onto the breast correctly; when feeding, swallowing movements should be heard, not smacking. The mother should not be in pain when the baby suckles. It doesn’t matter how long the child eats, some cope with milk in 5-10 minutes, others will need up to half an hour.

Attention! During feeding, you need to ensure that the baby's nose is free for normal breathing, so that the breast does not interfere.

You definitely need to look at the number of dirty diapers. To track this process, you need to stop using reusable store-bought diapers and switch to gauze. On average, a normal, healthy and well-fed child should dirty diapers 12 times a day. If the amount of urination in your baby is very different from that indicated, then you need to contact a breastfeeding specialist.
It is important to monitor your baby's behavior. If he is not interested in the breast, then this is a reason to consult a specialist.
The child should not lose weight. You need to monitor the condition of his skin; it should be healthy pink and elastic. If it is flabby and gray, then feeding is carried out incorrectly.

Why does a mother not have enough milk?

This usually affects those women who initially began to feed the child incorrectly.

Means to increase lactation

Many medications are simply prohibited during breastfeeding and pregnancy; it is better to use traditional medicine, they will definitely not harm either the mother or the child.

Drugs to improve lactation

Lactogone. This product is of absolutely natural origin, which contains royal jelly, carrot and nettle extracts. All this combined gives the desired result.
Femilak. This medication is available in the form of a dry milk formula, which should be consumed by the mother. It contains all the necessary minerals that are necessary for normal lactation.
Lactavit. The preparation contains all the herbs that help with difficult lactation: anise, fennel, cumin and many others.
Apilak. This medicine also contains royal jelly and herbal extracts.
Mlekoin. This drug is of homeopathic origin and is available in the form of capsules, which a woman should consume three times a day before meals.

Dietary supplements to improve lactation

Dietary supplements are also used to increase lactation. They are based on bee products, herbs (nettle, carrots, ginger, cumin, etc.) and their extracts. Medicines for breastfeeding in the form of dietary supplements are prescribed exclusively by a doctor and are contraindicated for those women who suffer from allergies to bee products.

Attention! The most famous means for increasing lactation, a dietary supplement for adjusting the amount of milk, is “Lactogon”. A drug for increasing lactation, which contains herbal extracts - “Milky Way”.

Vitamin and mineral complexes

If the above methods and means for normal lactation did not help increase the amount of milk, then it is time to move on to more serious measures, to vitamin-mineral complexes, which are also medications. They contain hormones that stimulate lactation, as well as sedatives that help relax and relieve stress.

In addition to vitamins and traditional medicine, homeopathic remedies can also stimulate lactation, but their use must also be coordinated with a doctor. The most famous homeopathic drug that can increase lactation is “Mlekoin”.

The most common misconceptions about lactation drugs

Drugs to improve lactation are absolutely safe. This is wrong. Medicines that stimulate lactation contain components that can cause allergies. The only exceptions are homeopathic medicines.
All breastfeeding mothers should take lactation boosters. And this is also not true, most women still manage to breastfeed a child on their own; drugs to increase lactation may be needed only in case of crises.
Temporary cessation of breastfeeding leads to the disappearance of milk. This is not at all true; if necessary, you can stop this process and then return to it. If you do everything correctly, this will not cause any difficulties.

Attention! There are means to improve the lactation process that contain hormones, but they are a last resort and are taken under the supervision of a physician.

What other rules must be followed for breastfeeding?

Thus, the lactation process can be brought back to normal if the psychological and physiological reasons for this are eliminated and attention is paid to folk remedies. If you have any difficulties, you should consult a doctor, he will tell you in detail what medications can be used for normal breastfeeding, and about drugs that stop lactation. Women should not forget that the best way to feed a child is breastfeeding.

Nursing mothers often face the problem of insufficient milk supply. It is important to accurately determine whether the problem actually exists or is just your imagination. If the doctor, based on the results of weighing the baby before and after feeding, examining the baby, the mother’s mammary glands and other data, confirms the fact of a lack of milk - act!

Why does there be a shortage of milk?:

If a young mother has little breast milk, this is called hypogalactia . There are many reasons for the development of this condition:

Endocrine pathologies in the mother;
premature birth;
delivery by cesarean section;
severe late gestosis;
late latching of a newborn baby to the breast;
lack of sucking reflex in a newborn;
lack of desire from the mother to breastfeed the baby;
stress, postpartum depression;
improper diet of a nursing mother;
lack of preparation of women for breastfeeding during pregnancy;
improper attachment of the baby to the breast;
congenital malocclusion in a newborn, when the lower lip extends under the upper. As a result, he cannot latch correctly;
infrequent breastfeeding, feeding on a schedule;
early introduction of complementary foods, as a result of which the child refuses breastfeeding;
diseases of the mammary glands that make breastfeeding impossible;
cracked nipples;
hormonal imbalance in the female body, as a result of which the production of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production, decreases.

How to increase breast milk lactation?:

Milk production is a physiological process that starts after the baby is born. In the modern world, hypogalactia is a very common condition among mothers. Many doctors attribute this to a woman’s moral and physical unpreparedness for feeding a baby and frequent stress. Therefore, while waiting for a baby, it is extremely important to read literature on preparing the breasts for feeding a baby, study the rules of feeding in practice, and attend seminars and master classes for expectant mothers, where experienced specialists teach.

There are many ways to increase your milk supply. Some are associated with taking ready-made medications, others are associated with compliance with certain rules, requirements and recommendations. An integrated approach to solving the problem is the most effective method of normalizing milk production and providing the newborn with the most valuable nutrition - mother's milk!

Medicines for lactation:

Most medications that can increase milk production are dietary supplements. Most often they contain the following components of plant and animal origin:

royal jelly;
vitamins;
microelements;
nettle leaves;
carrot extracts, carrot juice;
dill fruits;
oregano herb;
ginger root.

The most popular drugs for increasing breast milk volumes are the following: apilak, mlekoin and lactogone . Let's take a closer look at these drugs:

Simple ways to increase lactation at home:

Every mother should understand that there is no magic drug that will provide your baby with enough milk without your efforts. It is necessary to follow the most important breastfeeding rules that will help increase milk production.

Put your baby to your breast frequently. If milk production is insufficient, you need to forget about feeding schedules. Give your baby the breast whenever she demands or shows concern.

Sleep with your baby. This is an excellent solution to the problem for those children who eat for a long time and like to sleep near the chest. The method is very difficult and exhausting for mom, but very effective!

Feed at night. Be sure to pay great attention to feeding your baby at night. Prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production, is released in greatest quantities at night. If you intend to establish and maintain breastfeeding, then be sure to breastfeed your baby at night on every request.

Perform a massage in the shower using the Seitz method. After feeding or expressing milk, it is necessary to direct a stream of water at a temperature of about 45⁰C onto the breast. At the same time, massage the breast from the nipple to the edges, slightly expressing the remaining milk. Continue for at least 10 minutes. It is important to perform the procedure morning and evening for each breast.

Attach your baby to the breast correctly. Make sure that the nipple goes as far into the baby's mouth as possible. He should cover the areola of the nipple with his lips, pulling the nipple into his mouth. In this case, the sucking process will be complete.

Offer both breasts at one feeding.

Use the services of breastfeeding specialists if you cannot establish lactation on your own. They will give valuable recommendations and monitor the process.

Solve the question about pumping. Experts have different opinions about the need to pump. Some believe that it is important to express your breasts completely after each feeding. This technique will help stimulate milk secretion. Others, on the contrary, argue that pumping leads to a rapid increase in lactation. The increased amount of milk does not meet the baby's needs. As a result, stagnation of milk develops - lactostasis. Which method is right for you - decide together with your doctor.

Give your child less pacifiers. After the baby takes the pacifier, he will begin to latch onto the breast incorrectly. Babies who like pacifiers are more likely to put only the nipple in their mouth, which causes the breast to be improperly stimulated, leading to a decrease in milk supply.

Watch your diet. Pay attention to the caloric content of food - it should be 700 kcal above the norm. A nursing mother should consume at least 200 g of meat and fish per day, 500-600 ml of milk or kefir or yogurt, about 100 g of cottage cheese with a fat content of at least 5%, 30 g of hard cheese, about 500 g of fresh vegetables and 300 g of fruit. All products must be allowed for use by nursing women so as not to cause negative consequences for the baby.

There are some products that are especially recommended for mothers with a lack of milk. These are the foods that increase lactation:

Treat diseases of the mammary glands in a timely manner to minimize interruptions in your baby’s breastfeeding.

For cracked nipples, use special silicone or latex breastfeeding shields. They will protect the nipple, give it the correct shape and allow you to breastfeed your baby even if there is an inflammatory process.

Watch your health. Many diseases require medications that are incompatible with breastfeeding. In such cases, women have to take a break from feeding, switch the baby to an artificial formula, or stop lactation altogether.

Drink enough clean water. For nursing women, the norm is at least 2.5 liters of water per day.

Get complete rest and relaxation. Fatigue is one of the common reasons for decreased lactation.

Spend more time outdoors.

Teas to increase milk production:

Currently, pharmacies have a huge selection of special teas for nursing mothers. Their main task is to increase milk production. The most common and safe components of such drinks are plants:

fennel fruit;
anise fruit;
caraway fruits;
nettle leaves;
chamomile flowers;
lemon balm herb;
dog-rose fruit.

The differences between teas from different manufacturers are in the proportions of ingredients and the taste characteristics of the finished drink. The release form is different: tea bags, a mixture of herbs for brewing, granules. Preparation method: pour one serving of tea with hot water and leave for 10 minutes. Drink warm as regular tea in between meals. The number of doses must be read on the packaging.

It is important to consider that any tea to increase lactation can cause the following adverse reactions:

allergy;
stomach ache;
nausea;
lactostasis due to improper use or overdose.

In addition to the fact that herbal teas enhance lactation, they perfectly soothe, relax, increase the tone of the body, and saturate them with vitamins and microelements. It is recommended to take one tea of your choice to the maternity hospital so as not to delay the process of establishing lactation.

Vitamins for lactation:

Vitamin and mineral complexes, specially designed for nursing women, help normalize metabolic processes in the body, enrich milk with all useful components and stimulate its production. Among the most common products that can be purchased at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription are: Elevit pronatal, Gendevit, Centrum, Materna, Vitrum pregna, Vitamin E. Doctors often recommend that after giving birth, women continue to take the vitamin complexes they took during pregnancy.

It is important to remember that vitamins, minerals and trace elements are found in large quantities in food. Therefore, you should not abuse ready-made drugs. Take care to enrich your menu with only healthy and fresh products.

Folk remedies for stimulating lactation:

Traditional medicine has a large arsenal of effective remedies that will help increase lactation. Most formulations contain plant materials, which can cause allergies. During their use, it is important to monitor the child’s reaction and effectiveness. The most effective recipes are given below.

Cumin decoction

You will need 10 g of cumin fruits. Pour 0.5 liters of water and boil for five minutes. Then strain the finished broth, add 50 g of sugar and the juice of half a lemon. It is necessary to consume half a glass of warm broth 3 times during the day.

Nut milk

You will need 80-100 g of walnuts. Grind them in a blender and mix with 1 tbsp. l. Sahara. Add the resulting mass to 0.5 liters of boiled milk. Leave for about two hours. Take a third of a glass 15 minutes before feeding. During the preparation process, it is important not to exceed the proportions of the active ingredients, since the product is highly active and can cause an allergic reaction in a child. Start using nut milk in small portions, monitoring the baby’s condition and reaction.

Herb tea

Take two glasses of boiling water, 1 tablespoon each of lemon balm, oregano and nettle leaves. Place all components in a thermos. Leave for about three hours. Take half a glass three times a day, regardless of meals and feedings.

Carrots with milk

Take 3 tbsp. l. grated carrots, pour 1 tbsp. milk. You need to take one glass of the mixture 3 times during the day at regular intervals. Add 1 tsp to the evening portion. honey, if the baby does not have allergic reactions to this product.

Nettle leaf infusion

You will need one glass of boiling water and 1 tablespoon of crushed nettle leaves. It is necessary to leave in a thermos for at least one hour. Take 1 tablespoon of infusion half an hour before meals three times a day.

Infusion of dill seeds

Take one glass of boiling water and 1 tbsp. l. dill seeds Leave in the thermos for at least two hours. Take 1 tbsp. l. infusion 5 times a day, regardless of the time of meals and feedings.

All the necessary ingredients can be easily purchased at pharmacies and grocery stores. Prepare supplies for no more than one day. It is recommended to consume prepared foods warm. This will enhance the effectiveness of the funds.

The formation of lactation is hard and continuous maternal work. Do not feel sorry for yourself, because for a newborn baby, breast milk is an indispensable product that will ensure his health, growth and development!

Reduced lactation is a serious problem for young mothers. A hungry child sleeps poorly and slowly gains weight. Mom is nervous, because of this the milk becomes even less. To increase lactation, decoctions of herbs and berries and teas are used. Properly prepared products help increase milk flow.

nettle,
rose hip,
ginger,
anise,
alfalfa,
blooming Sally,
Birch juice,
lime tea,
chamomile,
cinnamon,
oregano

Properly prepared decoctions, infusions and teas have a beneficial effect on the body, increasing the production of prolactin.

Decoctions are prepared from rhizomes, roots, bark, seeds and hard leaves. Infusions are made from the leaves and flowers. The difference between a decoction and an infusion is in the preparation technology: decoctions must be brought to a boil and boiled for several minutes, and infusions can be prepared either by boiling, but without prolonged cooking, or using cold water.

Photo gallery: herbs to increase lactation

Nettle during breastfeeding is an excellent way to increase lactation Rose hip decoction has a strengthening and tonic effect Many women love ginger for its aromatic properties Anise seeds can be brewed as tea, or you can prepare a decoction Alfalfa is rich in vitamin K and can stop bleeding Ivan tea is rich in manganese, iron, amino acids, vitamin C, pectin and chlorophyll For a young mother, birch sap is valuable because of its mild diuretic properties Linden tea is an excellent protector against viruses Chamomile rarely causes allergies and has a mild sedative effect It is useful to include cinnamon in small quantities in drinks to maintain lactation
Oregano normalizes a woman’s hormonal levels and improves lactation

Benefits and concerns of using herbs to increase lactation

Herbs can help breastfeeding mothers increase lactation. If there is enough milk and the child is gaining weight, then drinking herbal infusions is contraindicated - this can lead to lactostasis. You should not drink them immediately after giving birth; first you need to make sure that you have little milk.

For herbs to provide real help, they must be brewed correctly. It is also necessary to observe the dosage and take the products in accordance with the recommendations.

In addition to increasing lactation, herbal decoctions have other positive effects:

Nettle and rose hips increase immunity and restore a tired body. They are rich in vitamins and microelements.
Ginger and linden tea help with colds and warm you up.
Anise infusion will relieve cough.
Ivan tea, chamomile and tea with oregano will calm you down and give you a healthy sleep.
Cinnamon and ginger will speed up metabolism and help in the fight against excess weight.
Birch sap will saturate you with vitamins and minerals.

A nursing mother needs to put her baby to her breast as often as possible.

Along with the use of herbal remedies to increase lactation, you need:

Healthy food. Your diet should be rich in proteins, carbohydrates and fats. You need to eat at least three times a day, and preferably 5-6 times;
drink plenty of fluids. It is advisable to drink one and a half to two liters of water per day;
get enough sleep. Healthy sleep relieves stress and promotes the production of prolactin;
To breathe fresh air. Walking relieves stress, saturates the body with oxygen, which improves lactation;
put the baby to the breast more often. The more milk the baby sucks, the more it will be produced again. Feed your baby every two to three hours;
pump. After feeding, you need to express the remaining milk - this stimulates the production of new milk.

Video: Dr. Komarovsky on ways to increase lactation

Recipes for effective remedies

Several simple and effective ways to increase lactation using folk remedies.

Nettle infusion. To prepare, you will need 1 tablespoon of dry crushed nettle and a glass of boiling water. Fill and leave for 1 hour. Drink the nettle infusion warm. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day 30 minutes before breastfeeding.
Rosehip infusion. It is better to brew it in a thermos. Take rose hips, preferably chopped, and put them in a thermos. For infusion, 4 tablespoons will be enough. Pour a liter of boiling water and close the thermos tightly. Leave to brew overnight. In the morning the infusion will be ready for use. Drink half a glass 30 minutes before feeding the baby. You can sweeten it slightly.
Ginger tea. Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped ginger with just boiled water (300–350 ml) and leave for 10–15 minutes. You can brew it in a regular teapot. Drink one cup 3-5 times a day half an hour before feeding.
Anise infusion. For one glass of boiling water you will need a teaspoon of ground anise seeds. Pour in and leave for 20 minutes. Drink 50 ml (about a quarter glass) every hour. After 5–7 days, reduce the dose to 3 times a day.
Blooming Sally. Pour a teaspoon of herbs into the teapot and pour 250 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 15–20 minutes and strain through a strainer or cheesecloth. Drink in small portions 5-6 times a day.
Chamomile and linden blossom. Buy ready-made tea bags at the pharmacy. Brew as you would regular weak tea. Drink linden tea once a day before bed. Drink chamomile tea no more than twice a week.
Tea with oregano. Mix oregano with regular tea 1:1. Drink a cup in the morning and evening.
Cinnamon. Take 1 glass of milk, 10 shelled walnuts, 2 teaspoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix cinnamon, sugar and one tablespoon of milk in a bowl. Grate the nuts, pour into the remaining milk and heat over low heat for 15–20 minutes, avoiding boiling. Then gradually add the prepared mixture, stirring thoroughly. Cook for another 5 minutes. Drink the drink no more than 2 times a week and only before night feeding.
Birch juice. You can collect it yourself from birch trees in the spring, and at other times of the year buy it in the store. Drink 1-2 cups throughout the day.
Herbal hodgepodge. You can mix several herbs yourself. For example, take anise, cumin, fennel and nettle, half a teaspoon each, pour boiling water over a whole teapot and let steep for 10 minutes. Drink 4-5 cups a day. Pour a quarter cup from the kettle and dilute with boiled water to the brim.

Ready-made products for nursing mothers

Pharmacies sell many herbal infusions and teas, here are some of them:

herbal teas with alfalfa, chamomile, anise and other herbs. They are brewed in the same way as regular tea. The boxes contain information about the method of preparation and rules of administration;

Hipp tea Ingredients: fennel, anise, nettle, galega grass and glucose. It increases milk production and fights colic in babies;

Collection of Grandmother's Basket. It includes nettle leaves, clover flowers, fennel, anise and cumin. It also comes with rosehip;
Lactavit. Consists of dill, nettle, fennel and caraway. Does not contain glucose.

Before using any of the products, consult a pediatrician. It is better to start drinking decoctions, tinctures or teas containing only one component. This makes it easier to identify the remedy that suits you and find out which herbs should not be used.

Video: review of teas to increase lactation

Side effects of herbs

Despite all the benefits of herbal decoctions, they should be taken with caution, carefully monitoring the reaction of your body and the baby’s body. Before using herbs, consult your pediatrician.

If, after consuming herbs, you find redness, peeling, or a rash on your child’s skin, the baby becomes restless, his stomach hurts, and he has problems with bowel movements, then you should immediately stop using the herb. Do not start trying a new product until your baby’s allergic reactions have passed. When the skin becomes clear and stool returns to normal, then you can try another herb to increase lactation.

If you notice any signs of an allergy in your baby, stop using the herb immediately

Nettle and anise are considered the safest herbs, so it’s best to start with them.

Possible side effects of herbs:

nettle and fireweed have a laxative effect;
ginger, cinnamon, rose hips and anise can cause allergic reactions: rash, itching, redness. Ginger irritates the intestinal and stomach mucosa and can cause colic;
Chamomile, when consumed frequently, reduces milk production. Drink no more than two cups of weak chamomile tea per week.

If you notice one of the adverse reactions, you should stop using the product immediately. Do not drink many different infusions at once, try each one separately. This way you can safely choose the product that suits you.

It is a crucial period for both mother and newborn. Sometimes young mothers are faced with the fact that, while feeding on breast milk, the baby does not gain weight well and is often capricious. This most likely indicates irregularities in the mother’s diet, or a basic lack of milk. It is then that mothers face the problem of how to increase the lactation of breast milk so that the baby has enough and does not need to supplement with various formulas.

Lactation and menu for a nursing mother

First of all, you need to pay attention to the diet and lifestyle of the nursing mother.

The daily menu must include:

Meat (poultry, fish);
Milk or fermented milk products (1 liter);
Cottage cheese (100 grams);
Cheese (30 grams);
Vegetables (500 grams);
Fruits (300 grams);
Butter (20 grams);
Vegetable oil (25 grams).

Avoid:

Large amounts of foods rich in carbohydrates (sugar, bread, confectionery);
Any alcoholic drinks;
Allergenic products: chocolate, coffee, nuts, caviar, citrus fruits;
Hot spices and additives (onion, garlic, pepper).

How to increase lactation with folk remedies

Many mothers learn from their mothers and grandmothers how to increase breast milk lactation using various folk remedies. There are several ways that can really help.

1. Increasing the amount of fluid you drink through the use of vitamin drinks from various herbs. Helps improve lactation cumin, fennel, anise, nettle and some others. Here are a few recipes that can be easily prepared.

For a drink made from cumin seeds (15 grams) you will need one liter of water, one lemon and one hundred grams of sugar. The seeds are poured with hot water, peeled and chopped lemon and sugar are added to them. All this is cooked over low heat for 5-10 minutes. Strain. Drink chilled 3 times a day.

Anise infusion is prepared without adding other products. The seeds are poured with boiling water for an hour. The resulting infusion is cooled. Take 2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day. An infusion of dill seeds is prepared in the same way.

Note to moms!

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Tea with milk. It is better to drink before feeding, about half an hour.

Special teas for breastfeeding, which contain fennel, cumin, lemon balm, and anise, provide double benefits for stimulating and increasing lactation. (See and special)

2. Increasing the frequency of feedings and breastfeeding. The baby should be fed on demand, without taking a break at night. Feeding a baby at night is the key to long-term and high-quality lactation for the entire feeding period. It is better to abandon strict feeding by the hour.

3. Breast massage. After feeding, try massaging the breast from which you fed in the shower. The massage should be done for 5-10 minutes under running warm water. Direction: in a circular motion from the nipple to the periphery.

4. Video

Drugs to increase lactation

There are several ways to increase lactation with pills.

Multivitamins for nursing mothers. Usually their appointment is prescribed by the doctor who observed the woman during pregnancy. The duration of taking vitamins depends on the duration of the breastfeeding period.
Homeopathic remedies. For example, Mlekoin. The drug is available in the form of granules, which should be taken 15 minutes before meals. Can be used throughout the entire breastfeeding period.
Dietary supplements. Tablets containing various vitamins and beneficial substances (royal jelly, lactogenic herbs).

However, you should not abuse industrially produced tablets and vitamins. To increase the amount of milk, you should put the baby to the breast more often, eliminate extraneous irritants during feeding, and stress. And most importantly, don’t be nervous and maintain a positive attitude.

Not enough milk or 13 ways to enhance lactation

A young mother may not be familiar with all the intricacies of breastfeeding, so 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 your baby’s wishes without words, but in the meantime, be patient!

Now let's look at 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 has enough milk?

In the first days of a baby’s life, there are usually no problems with feeding. Of course: after all, next to the young mother there is medical staff, answering all questions at any moment!

Nurses will help a woman pump out the breast, teach her how to put her baby to the breast correctly, and doctors will monitor how the mother’s milk comes in and explain how to prolong breastfeeding for a long time.

But upon returning home, the young mother will need to independently learn to guess the baby’s wishes, determine whether he is full, and for what reason he is crying.

You can determine whether your baby is hungry or not by the nature of his stool. If the baby receives enough milk, his stool becomes dark yellow in color, has a faint odor and a slightly watery consistency.

You can tell if your 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 completely normal and confirms that your baby is getting enough breast milk.

If the frequency of stools has changed and the color has changed to brown, the baby needs more food. Just don’t rush to introduce baby formula for complementary feeding: usually, adjusting the mother’s diet leads to an increase in her milk supply.

The second surest indicator of your baby's satiety is the amount of his urine and its color. If the baby's diaper is full every 3-4 hours and is heavy, and the absorbed discharge is light in color, the baby is most likely not experiencing malnutrition.

This sign is typical for a baby older than five days of age; before this time, the urine may have a dark color - this is normal, 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 special scales 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 out to the sides, then cross them in front of you like scissors and spread them out again. Repeat the exercise up to 10 times, raising your arms higher with each swing, finally crossing them above your head.
Sit cross-legged. Bend your elbows at chest level, placing your palms together and pointing your fingers up. Counting to 3, press your palms tightly together; on the count of 4, relax them without lowering your arms. Repeat 10 times.

Weigh your baby before and after each breastfeeding and note the difference. For 3-5 days, record the milk your child eats. A child aged one week should eat 30-50 ml of milk per feeding. By a month this norm reaches 100 ml.

Of course, each baby is individual: one may eat more milk, another may eat less. A weakened child will drink less milk than his strong counterpart who was born with a higher weight. Show your schedule to your pediatrician: he will determine whether your baby’s feeding rate needs adjustment and whether you are putting him to the breast correctly.

Whether the baby has enough milk can also be determined by how correctly he grasps the breast when feeding: the baby should wrap his lips around not only the nipple, but also the areola. With his mouth wide open, the child grabs the mammary gland and begins sucking movements, then there is a pause, during which the baby takes a sip of milk and closes his mouth. The longer the pause, the more milk the baby got.

How to increase breast milk supply?

It would seem that you are doing everything right: the baby is confidently suckling at the breast, he is gaining weight well, is calm and cheerful.

But suddenly you began to notice that the amount of breast milk you have has decreased, your breasts are not as full before feeding, and the baby wakes up more often to eat.

Perhaps you are just tired and lost your usual rhythm of life. Try to calm down: help from your household will be useful now. Involve your family in caring for the child, get more rest, and, if possible, take solo walks in the fresh air.

Don’t forget about proper nutrition for a nursing mother: your diet should include healthy, non-fatty 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 and 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 ingredients with a mixer or in a blender. Drinking a glass of this cocktail with breakfast will promote a 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 parts and take throughout the day and at night.

Dairy products must be present in your diet: fermented baked milk, low-fat kefir, will have a positive effect on milk production and will 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 high-quality milk production. And its greatest production occurs at night.

This is why it is very important to put your baby to the breast at night to increase your 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 cause an increase in the amount of breast milk. Your body is weakened by childbirth and caring for the baby, and it is not always possible to get enough nutrients from food.

Consult your doctor: ask which vitamins are right for you, how and how much to take them. There are also medications that increase lactation: consulting a doctor, apparently, will not be superfluous for you.

Half an hour before feeding, drink tea with milk!

After feeding the baby, pour hot water over your breasts (about 40 degrees), and express excess milk in a circular motion from top to bottom for 5 minutes. This procedure stimulates milk production well and relaxes the nervous system. And as you know, a calm mother does not have a child who cries.

Half an hour before each feeding, drink tea with milk. This is an old, proven method of producing breast milk over the years. The tea should not be hot and strong: dilute it in a cup with a small amount of milk. You can add a teaspoon of honey to this mixture: the healthy product is ready for use!

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What to do if a nursing mother loses milk?

Milk cannot disappear in one day, therefore, if you have not had problems with feeding before, the baby is cheerful and cheerful, and is gaining weight - there is no need to be upset.

The milk supply 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 constantly cries and makes quick movements while sucking, most likely he really doesn’t 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 other.

Carry the child in your arms more often, focus only on the child. Entrust the care of the house to your loved ones. Don’t rush to bottle-feed your baby: once he recognizes the nipple, he is unlikely to latch on to the breast next time.

If your breast milk disappears, your doctor may advise you to take medications: for example, it is excellent for increasing lactation. Also, with small amounts of breast milk, many mothers take the drug Leptaden.

To increase lactation, it would be useful for the mother to use dry milk formulas: “Femilak”, “Enfa-mama”, “Olympic” - they are designed specifically for nursing mothers, do not cause harm, and are gentle.

If the amount of milk in your breasts begins 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 won’t know. What is a "lactation crisis"? You can also add dietary supplements “Apilactin” or “Lactogon” to your regular diet.

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Increasing lactation with folk remedies

How and with what to increase breast milk lactation using folk remedies? For many mothers, carrot juice helps increase the amount of breast milk.

Grate small carrots on a fine grater, squeeze through cheesecloth and take half a glass several times a day, after diluting the resulting juice with milk.

You can also add a few tablespoons of grated carrots to milk, add honey and consume 100 grams of this mixture 3 times a day.

Carrot juice increases lactation!

You can also make a healthy drink from anise seeds to increase lactation: pour a glass of boiling water over the seeds, wrap them in a towel and let it brew for several hours. Half an hour before meals, take the resulting decoction one tablespoon 3 times a day. You can prepare caraway infusion in the same way.

In late spring, juice from dandelion leaves improves 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. Drink the resulting infusion 2 times a day, half a glass. 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 baby 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 defecates after every feeding. The color of his stool is dark yellow and the consistency is slightly watery.
When feeding, the baby grasps the nipple along with the areola, makes confident sucking movements: mouth open - pause - mouth closed.

Sleep should be at least 10 hours a day - night and day.
Walks in the fresh air for at least 2 hours.
Frequent latching of the baby to the breast from birth (at least 10 times a day), with mandatory night feedings.
Good nutrition and increasing the volume of fluid consumed to 1.5-2 liters per day (this includes tea, soups, decoctions, milk, sour-milk products).
Shower-chest massage.
Drink hot green tea 30 minutes before feeding.
Take vitamins for nursing mothers.

To ensure that you always have a lot of breast milk, rest often and focus only on the baby. Entrust household chores to loved ones. Take your baby to your bed and be sure to feed him at night: this will perfectly stimulate 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, and folk methods of increasing lactation will definitely help you continue breastfeeding. Stay calm and confidently move towards your goal: feeding your baby only breast milk!