Lactation crisis: signs, timing and ways to overcome it. How to recognize a lactation crisis and learn to cope with it

The amount of milk depends on a variety of reasons: on how often the baby suckles, on the mother’s nutrition, her physical well-being, and even on her psychological state. But sometimes, against the background of general well-being, the amount of milk suddenly decreases and the baby seems constantly hungry. It is quite understandable that the mother is nervous and begins to look for reasons for the lack of milk, but in fact this may be a completely common phenomenon - a lactation crisis.

Why do they occur?

Lactation crisis- this is a temporary decrease in the amount of milk that appears to appear for no clear, visible reason. In fact, at the moment of a lactation crisis in the mother’s body the amount of the hormone prolactin decreases- he is responsible for milk production. At the same time, the baby's need for breast milk increases. As a rule, children grow unevenly, “in leaps and bounds,” and the baby’s nutritional needs also increase unevenly. If yesterday the baby had enough breast milk, then tomorrow he may require an increase in the daily portion.

Lactation crises usually occur at 3–6 weeks, then at 3–4, 7–8 months of lactation. They last approximately 3–4 days.

Main features

Most often, a woman feels that her breasts have become empty and that much less milk is being produced today than the day before. Although the diet, daily routine and physical activity remained the same. Sometimes the mother notes that the breasts are full as usual and the same amount of milk is released, but at the same time the baby is very often hungry and seems to be sucking constantly.

Such symptoms are quite natural, because the child is constantly growing and needs more and more energy and food. But the mother’s body cannot instantly adapt and immediately begin to produce more milk, so for some time the baby will show dissatisfaction and suckle more often and forcefully.

There is an exit

Lactation crises are easy to cope with, you just need to follow a few rules:

Mom needs to calm down, because a lactation crisis is a common occurrence, it does not last long and does not cause harm to the child’s health. On the contrary, fears and anxiety only interfere with normal milk production.
You definitely need to take a break from household chores. They can either be put aside for a while, or entrusted to someone close to you. During this period, it is better for mom to sleep more or do a simple favorite activity (for example, creativity, reading books). You should also not overload yourself with sports training - it can further reduce lactation.
It is advisable to spend as much time as possible with the baby; skin-to-skin contact is especially good for increasing lactation.
During this period, you need to put the baby to the breast as often as possible. It is imperative to feed your baby at night, because it is at this time of day that the largest amount of prolactin is produced.
You can also keep your baby at your breast longer, but only if there are no problems with the nipples (irritation, cracks).
During lactation crises, you can additionally drink lactogenic drinks (various teas, infusions) and eat lactogenic foods (carrots, almonds, feta cheese, fennel).
There is no need to immediately feed the baby with artificial formula; the baby will suckle less often, which means milk production will decrease.

These simple rules help increase lactation, and as a result, after one or two (sometimes after 3-4) days, the amount of milk will increase significantly.

If a mother doubts the correctness of her actions, you can seek help from a lactation consultant. Specialists will easily figure out the cause of the lack of milk and will always help restore its quantity.

A mother’s positive attitude and correct behavior will certainly help cope with lactation crises and provide the baby with his favorite food.

The lactation crisis is periodic. This is a difficult period, but after surviving it, mom and baby return to normal. It is known that some nursing mothers have never encountered such a phenomenon during the entire period of feeding.

Signs of problems with lactation

Lack of milk can be determined by the baby's restlessness. He is capricious, angry, often wakes up, constantly asks for the breast, and cries after feeding because he remains half-starved.

Mommy begins to worry and worry, because it seems to her that the milk is starting to disappear. But this is not true. The child eats as much as he ate before, his needs have simply increased. And the mother’s body has not yet adapted to producing milk according to new demands.

Symptoms of a crisis:

the need for breasts. The baby constantly demands the breast, the feeding time is delayed, and the intervals between them are reduced;
there is a feeling of emptiness in the chest. Mommy feels a rush of milk less often and by the next feeding her breasts are not overfilled as before.

The baby should be tested for “wet diapers”. If a child pees less than 12 times per day, but more than 6 times, a crisis has occurred. Urination frequency less than 6 times indicates severe dehydration, requiring medical attention. It is advisable to monitor the baby's weight. Weighing is carried out before and after feeding during the day. If in the first 3-4 months he gains less than 125 g per week, it is worth visiting a doctor and, possibly, introducing supplementary feeding.

Time of problem occurrence

Often a lactation crisis occurs:

at the beginning of breastfeeding (when lactation forms);
at three months;
at six months;
at 12 months.

Why does it worsen at 3 months?

The baby is growing quickly and is 3 months old. Breastfeeding is established, the mother has adapted to the child, but suddenly he begins to get angry at the breast, get nervous and kick his legs. Why is this happening? By this time the baby has already “found” his hands, turns to the sound of his mother’s voice, smiles, good. He is ready for further knowledge of the world, he is interested in new subjects. As the child develops, the nature of his diet also changes. This is a normal process. The baby may refuse to breastfeed while awake, which means it no longer stimulates the breasts properly.

At 3 months, a growth spurt occurs, and lactation finally enters the maturity stage. The mammary glands no longer become congested, remain soft and produce milk when sucked. This combination is what causes the crisis.

You can alleviate the lactation crisis at 3 months in the following ways:

if the baby refuses to take the breast during the day, there is no need to force him, but he should be constantly offered to latch;
When your baby sucks for a very long time, you should not force the nipple out of your mouth. Even if the baby has fallen asleep, continuing to suck, you should wait until he lets go;
During this period, it is necessary to replace the pacifier (if the child falls asleep with it) to the breast. Half asleep, the baby continues to stimulate the mammary glands, which increases the flow of breast milk;
do not use a pacifier if the baby is excited or nervous, but offer the breast instead;
By three months, the baby takes the breast not only for saturation, but as a game. He can bite his mother, play around, causing her discomfort. This behavior needs to be stopped by explaining that mom is in pain;
feed at night. At this time, prolactin is produced, which is responsible for milk secretion.

What to do to overcome a lactation crisis

Lack of milk during a lactation crisis should be taken calmly. Almost all nursing mothers encounter this, painlessly resuming lactation. Main, don't rush to feed, otherwise it will be very difficult to overcome the problem. The baby will gradually switch to a mixed diet, less milk will be produced, and as a result, lactation will fade. If mommy is initially not in the mood to breastfeed for a long time, at the first problems she will give up, and breastfeeding will be completed for her.

You can strengthen the flow and cope with the crisis at any time by adjusting your diet, the frequency of breastfeeding, using gymnastics, doing massage, drinking lactogenic drinks - for example,.

The diet of a nursing mother is different from the diet during normal times

It is necessary to refrain from marinades, smoked meats, fried, spicy, salty foods, yeast and baked goods. They absorb fluid, delaying milk production. It is imperative to organize the correct drinking regime: drink warm compotes, teas, juices, and decoctions. The fluid requirement during lactation is 2.5 liters. per day, including first courses, juicy vegetables and fruits.

Attaching to the breast

Problems with breastfeeding can occur due to or insufficient stimulation of the mammary glands. If pain is felt during feeding, or the baby makes clicking sounds, you need to watch how he grasps the nipple. A lower lip turned outward and the areola completely captured by the gums means that the baby is latching onto the breast correctly.

Some women have a flat nipple, making it difficult to latch onto. But even in such cases, the baby is able to absorb it to the desired shape. Only after using a bottle is it difficult for the baby to get used to natural feeding, so you should not rush to feed him with the help of an object that “makes life easier”.

Massage and gymnastics

Useful for prolonging and increasing lactation. They strengthen the nervous system and stimulate blood circulation. Massaging circular movements are carried out with warm hands from the neck to the nipple. In the shower, a stream of water is directed to the chest area. Milk will begin to noticeably increase, releasing from the nipples.

Night feedings

The key to successful natural feeding. A nursing mother notices that in the morning her breasts are full of milk - after all, from 3 to 8 o’clock in the morning, the body produces prolactin and oxytocin, which are responsible for lactation. The more often the baby eats at night, the more milk will be added during the day.

When it passes

A lactation crisis often lasts 3-7 days. If there is not enough milk for a long time, then you should consult a doctor. We are not talking about a temporary natural state, but about hypogalactia. Then you need to look for the cause and urgently eliminate it. Improper care of the baby, hidden diseases, disrupted routine, and not milk deficiency can cause increased appetite, moodiness, and crying in the child.

The benefits of breastfeeding for the health of a newborn are great. But rarely does this process go without problems. Even an experienced nursing mother can face such a nuisance as a lactation crisis.

It is considered normal that a woman produces different amounts of natural food. For example, the intensity of sucking, the duration of feeding, and the condition of the nursing mother are of great importance in this matter.

A lactation crisis is a fluctuation in the ratio of available milk to the needs of the newborn. A child is characterized by leaps in development, during which needs increase.

At the same time, the mammary glands do not have time to adapt to new demands, and the baby has to ask to eat more often and suck longer.

During a crisis, women think that the amount of natural food has decreased. Often this is not the case, there is simply no more of it, which is what the baby needs at the moment.

Making significant efforts and not getting what they want, the child behaves restlessly. This does not mean that the newborn is hungry. It’s just that this time the child wanted a larger portion than usual. The situation is unpleasant, but normal and safe.

Stages of the Civil War, periods and timing of the crisis

Lactation is divided into several parts, which differ from each other by changes in the composition of natural food and the structure of the mammary gland.

First stage.

The first feeding usually occurs within an hour after birth, which is how colostrum begins to be produced. The latter contains less carbohydrates and fats than milk. However, the content of antibodies, proteins and vitamins is high.

Little colostrum is produced, and many are worried about this, mistaking it for a crisis. Maternity hospital workers often bottle-feed formula to newborns.

This is wrong, although there is little colostrum, it is enough to saturate the body with the necessary elements. In addition, the baby does not yet need large quantities of food.

Replacement with milk.

With this transition, the mammary gland enlarges, hardens, and milk flow occurs. Initially there is too much of it, but after agreement with the needs of the baby, the amount of food is established.

There is no milk left after feeding, but it forms again the next time you meet the baby.

Mature lactation.

Occurs after 3–6 weeks of feeding. Milk flows steadily when sucking, the baby independently regulates the amount. The breasts are soft and there is no need to pump.

Despite the relative stability, it was during this period that the crisis began. The duration varies from person to person, usually 2–7 days.

The lactation crisis affects certain periods of breastfeeding. The first usually occurs at 3–6 weeks, then at 3 and 6 months. This is exactly how much time the mammary glands need to adapt to increasing demands.

Involution of lactation.

This is the end of natural feeding, during which breast size and milk quantity decrease, and the composition changes. Weaning from breastfeeding during this period will not cause any particular inconvenience to the mother and child.

Distinctive features of the crisis

The baby often demands to eat, feeding takes a long time with short intervals.
Feeling of emptiness in the mammary glands.
The baby behaves restlessly, cries and gets angry.

It is important to remember that any anxiety of the baby cannot be attributed to a crisis. He may have colic or his attention may be distracted by other objects or knowledge of the world around him.

If a nursing mother often feels empty in her chest and the baby cries, then you don’t need to think that a crisis has definitely arrived.

The surest way to check the sufficiency of lactation is wet diaper test. There should be more than 10–12 of them per day, in this case the baby has enough breastfeeding.

Even if the test is successfully passed, many complain that the child does not let go, empties both mammary glands at once and repeats the circle.

Even in such a situation, it is impossible to speak unequivocally about the symptoms of a lactation crisis. Increased appetite due to stress and improper care is the norm for infants.

WHO says that the minimum weight gain in a week is 113g.

Problems of the first month

A lactation crisis at 1 month occurs due to the fact that the first leap occurs in the development of sensory organs. The child begins to notice that everything is unfamiliar to him.

For this reason, the baby behaves restlessly, often cries, and strives for physical connection with the nursing mother.

Such changes are unusual for women; they are overcome by fear and uncertainty in their actions.

Trying to find the cause of their child’s anxiety, they check to see if the baby is hungry, if his diapers are wet, and if anything else is bothering him. Many people think that the baby is hungry and there is not enough milk.

However, this behavior is not outside the norm. During a developmental leap, the baby associates the breast with comfort and affection, and therefore requires it most of the time.

Many women do not know this, doubting the sufficiency of milk. They are interested in the answer to the question of what to do during a lactation crisis.

Breastfeeding specialists advise continuing feeding and letting the baby eat as often as necessary. >>>

With physical connection, children calm down and feel protected. We must remember that a crisis is stress for both, during which the woman and child should be together.

A leap in the development of a 3 month old baby

At this age, breastfeeding has already been established, but the child may begin to behave restlessly at the breast, hang on it, or completely refuse, being distracted by something.

This is because by 3 months the baby begins to actively take an interest in the world around him, and many other interesting activities appear.

You need to pay attention to how your child falls asleep. It's better to do this with the breast rather than the nipple. Otherwise, the production of natural food will decline due to insufficient stimulation.

Seeing a refusal, you cannot give up GW. It is necessary to offer to eat day and night, without forcing the baby to suck forcefully. Sooner or later the baby will get hungry and want milk.

Whims should be endured, calming the baby with stroking, affectionate conversations, entertainment and walks. But you shouldn’t be overprotective.

A lactation crisis at 3 months may be due to the fact that children lack freedom when there are so many interesting things around. Sometimes a baby just needs to lie in bed or on a play mat, watch those around him or look at rattles. The baby will get bored and will suck milk more willingly.

Watch also my video tutorial on lactation crisis:

How to overcome the crisis?

Psychological mood.

The main thing is not to worry and remember that everything is fine with the baby’s health, lactation is sufficient. Dissatisfaction with the amount of milk will provoke active actions in the child in the form of diligent sucking.

To gain a positive experience from the crisis, you may need the support of a nursing mother, but in the end the baby will achieve her goal. It must be remembered that anxiety can aggravate the problem by interfering with the production of natural food.

Improving quality of life.

When do lactation crises occur? Most often they happen when you are tired, lack of time and in a bad mood. A full sleep is needed; for this, a nursing mother should rest during the day with her baby.

It is worth freeing yourself during the crisis from household responsibilities, such as cleaning, cooking, using the help of family and friends with housework. You need to devote time to your child, putting him to your breast on demand.

For lactation to be successful, sometimes you need to take a break from your daily routine. This could be meeting a friend, going to the cinema. Lactation directly depends on a woman’s mood and well-being.

Physical stimulation.

The massage will calm the nervous system and improve the health of the nursing mother. By stimulating blood circulation, lactation will increase. Exercises for the collar and chest muscles are useful. You don't need to put in a lot of effort; light stroking is fine. >>>

Drinking regimen and food.

Nutrition for a nursing mother is an important aspect in stimulating lactation. The diet should contain a lot of protein and be high in calories. During a lactation crisis, you should drink more hot drinks than usual.

During the period of bearing a baby, it is necessary to find out what difficulties can be expected, but not to constantly fear them.

The lactation crisis is a natural phenomenon. A nursing mother has her own natural resources to overcome this problem and continue to please herself and her baby with the help of breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is invaluable for a mother and her baby. Only breast milk can give a baby everything he needs for healthy growth. Many mothers perceive breastfeeding as an important ritual during which they establish a close bond with their baby. Unfortunately, feeding does not always go smoothly, and sometimes problems arise. One of these problems is the lactation crisis. In fact, it is only a stage in the child’s growth, and can be overcome without loss.

How to recognize a lactation crisis

A lactation crisis is considered to be a decrease in the amount of breast milk. Since it is impossible to measure the volume sucked by a child, they usually focus on his behavior. If he cries after feeding, it means he is not full, and therefore there is not enough milk. And also, if the baby begins to ask for the breast more often and deviates from the feeding schedule towards fewer breaks, then the mother gets the false impression that she has less milk. But such symptoms do not always indicate a decrease in lactation. Most often this indicates the onset of a temporary lactation crisis. If you make the wrong decisions, it can develop into real hypolactia, that is, a real decrease in milk production. At such moments, the main thing is not to draw hasty conclusions and not to panic, but to soberly assess the reasons.

Causes and periods of lactation crisis

As the child grows, the amount of milk consumed increases. And since the mammary gland adapts to the baby’s appetite, then for some period, when he needs more to satiate than his mother has stored, the child may be capricious. Growth spurts occur at the ages of:

2 weeks
1 month
3 months,
7 months,
1 year.

These surges may also coincide with lactation crises.

Feeding strictly according to the clock is often harmful, which does not allow the establishment of lactation to coincide with the child’s appetite. It is better to feed your baby one more time between breastfeedings than to supplement with formula from a bottle or supplement with water. Neonatologists and pediatricians have recently become increasingly committed to natural feeding of infants. Feeding on demand is encouraged throughout the world.

Prevention of lactation crisis

To prevent a lactation crisis from occurring or to pass less noticeably and faster, you need to follow simple rules:
– feeding on demand;
– mom mode;
– mother’s rest mode;
– sufficient water intake;
– refusal until the age of 6 months;
– limited time for sucking a pacifier.
Following these rules is not so difficult if you understand that the successful overcoming of all difficulties depends on sufficient stimulation of the mammary gland, the nutrients received by the mother’s body and her psychological peace.

Way out of the lactation crisis

If the child begins to behave more restlessly and there are suspicions that he does not have enough milk, then for some period you need to direct all your actions to overcome the crisis. The presence of his mother is important for the baby, so you need to spend as much time as possible together, leaving household chores behind. You can go to bed with your child. During the day, you need to allow the baby to stay with the breast longer. The longer the breast stimulation, the faster the amount of milk will become sufficient for the baby.
A warm shower helps a lot; due to the dilation of blood vessels, milk is released more easily. Hot tea before feeding has a similar effect. Your overall fluid intake should increase, and your diet should be revised, adding more healthy ingredients to it. If the child also does not sleep well at night, then you should feed at night as during the day.
Pharmacies offer different formulas to increase lactation; after studying the instructions and contraindications, you can choose the one that suits you.
The main enemy of lactation is stress. Don't be nervous or worried about temporary difficulties, everything can be overcome. It is necessary to gradually and step by step reconsider your attitude towards breastfeeding, not as a due thing, but as a natural process inherent in nature.
A lactation crisis is natural and can be overcome. A clear understanding of the reasons will allow you to return to normal within a few days. Love, care and calm acceptance of temporary difficulties work wonders in prolonging the pleasure and benefits of breastfeeding.

The problem of lactation crisis is common among lactating women. During the next feeding, a woman may notice that her baby is no longer satisfied with the portion of breast milk that is released in one latch. Let's look at what tactics need to be followed in this case, and whether it is worth resorting to the use of artificial nutritional mixtures.

Characteristics of the condition

A lactation crisis is a condition characterized by a temporary decrease in breast milk production. The most common time period for the onset of a crisis is the first 4 months after the birth of a child. Often this condition occurs at 3, 7 and 12 weeks of a child’s life.

Primiparas whose bodies have not yet adjusted the lactation mechanism are at risk of a lactation crisis. A decrease in breast milk production is a short-term nuisance that, with proper organization of lactation, goes away on its own.

Important! A decrease in breast milk production should not lead to cessation of breastfeeding. A growing child's body urgently needs a complete source of nutrients, which is mother's milk.

Symptoms

Manifestations of a lactation crisis are varied. The child may experience a reaction in the form of whims and crying immediately after finishing feeding. A breastfeeding woman may be bothered by a feeling of emptying of the mammary glands, which was not previously observed.

The lack of mother's milk forces the child to more often give signs that he is hungry. Other manifestations of a lactation crisis on the part of a child include:

the frequency of urination is less than 5 times a day;
constant whims and crying of the baby;
weight gain per month was less than 500 g;
irregular stools with a greenish tint;
the frequency and duration of feedings has increased significantly;
During the day the baby refuses breastfeeding.

With normal growth and development of the child, a lactation crisis does not pose a danger to him. The main rule for the mother should remain feeding on demand. It is frequent breastfeeding that has a stimulating effect, thereby increasing milk production in the mammary gland.

Causes

Various factors, depending on both the mother and the child, can provoke the occurrence of this condition. Common causes of lactation crisis include:

A sharp growth spurt in the baby. In this case, a growing child's body needs an increased amount of food. During this period, the body of a nursing woman is not able to ensure proper production of breast milk.
Psycho-emotional, physical and hormonal factors have a significant impact on the development of a lactation crisis.
Regular exposure to stress on the body of a nursing woman.
Violation of food and drinking rules.
Excessive physical and emotional stress.
Attaching the baby to the breast according to an hourly schedule. The gold standard for breastfeeding is to feed strictly on demand.
Using pacifiers, as a result of which the baby stops actively attaching to the breast. Weak stimulation of the mammary glands contributes to a decrease in breast milk production and the onset of a lactation crisis.
The use of artificial mixtures as supplementary feeding. Replenishing the lack of breast milk with formula or drinking water causes a decrease in stimulation of the mammary glands, and as a result, the production of breast milk.

Fighting methods

Despite the fact that the lactation crisis disappears on its own, there are some recommendations that allow you to quickly get rid of a deficiency of breast milk.

Organization of the daily routine

Compliance with the daily routine plays an important role in ensuring normal lactation. A breastfeeding woman is advised to eat well and get as much rest as possible. Of particular value is night sleep, the duration of which should be at least 9 hours. It is better to distribute household chores evenly among your family and friends.

Compliance with drinking regime

The intake of the required amount of fluid into a woman’s body significantly affects the process of producing breast milk. During a lactation crisis, the volume of fluid consumed should be more than 2.5 liters per day. As a liquid, you can drink drinking and mineral water, fruit juices (except citrus fruits), compotes, fruit drinks, green and black tea with milk. In addition, it is useful to use herbal preparations that stimulate lactation.

Compliance with feeding regimen

Increasing the frequency of breastfeeding is an excellent prevention of a lactation crisis. If a woman experiences a feeling of complete emptying of the mammary gland, this should not be a reason to stop breastfeeding.

Feeding at night is also an important part of preventing and treating low breast milk supply. Adhering to the on-demand feeding regimen, the woman is recommended to place the baby next to her, thereby facilitating the procedure of nighttime breastfeeding.

Refusal of artificial mixtures

If there is no need to switch to artificial feeding, it is not recommended for a nursing woman to supplement her baby with formula milk. Such experiments cause a decrease in the production of breast milk in the mammary glands.

Using massage techniques

Stimulation of lactation is carried out through self-massage of the mammary glands. Before performing the self-massage procedure, it is recommended to take a contrast or warm shower and wipe the mammary glands dry. To reduce friction, you can use pharmaceutical (peach) or olive oil. It is necessary to begin the massage by gently stroking the mammary glands from the periphery to the center (towards the nipple). After this, you can begin to carefully and alternately knead the mammary glands. It is recommended to massage in the morning after waking up and in the evening before going to bed.

Exposure to heat

If problems arise with insufficient breast milk production, a nursing woman is recommended to take a warm (not hot) bath or shower. The duration of such a bath should be no more than 20 minutes. To enhance the therapeutic effect, you can combine taking a warm bath and self-massage of the mammary glands. If there are contraindications for taking a general bath, you can wash your chest with warm water or take baths.

Keeping Calm

Emotional balance plays a significant role in the lactation process. Constant emotional outbursts provoke hormonal changes in a woman’s body, which in turn can affect the quality of breastfeeding.

Compliance with feeding technique

Violation of the technique of attaching a child to the breast may be due to improper latching of the nipple. If the baby's lips do not completely cover the nipple and areola, then during feeding there is insufficient stimulation of the mammary gland and a lactation crisis is provoked.

Proper organization of the breastfeeding regimen and technique guarantees the absence of problems with milk production. If all recommendations are followed, the duration of the lactation crisis is no more than 3 days. If this process is protracted, then perhaps the nursing woman makes some mistakes. In this case, it is recommended to contact your doctor or breastfeeding specialist, who will conduct a consultation and identify a number of necessary treatment measures.