One most important worry for mothers who feed their new
born baby is whether or not the breast milk is sufficient or not. It is common
especially among first time mothers. It is believed that most of the mothers
produce adequate amount that is required for the child. Thus said, there are
also few ladies who are not able to secrete enough amounts.
Few ladies have
lactation issues when they have just delivered. When the breast milk supply is
inadequate, there is a possibility of it posing a high risk leading to weak
immune system, malnutrition and several other health issues.
There are several home remedies that new mothers can
follow in order to increase the supply of milk.
1. Breastfeeding within an
hour after birth
Generally, breast milk production is a supply demand
process. It gets generated based on the new born baby's demand. Hence feeding
the child as soon as the baby is born is always good - especially within the
first hour after the baby is born. This will help the new born as well as the
new mother get a good beginning.
2. Breast feed frequently
The most important key for improving the supply of breast
milk is to feed the new born as frequently as possible. Between the feeding
sessions, mothers can also use breast pumps for around ten minutes after
feeding, in order to boost production of breast milk. The most prompt time to
do this will be in the morning or when the baby is napping.
Mothers can also pump simultaneously while feeding the
baby. They can pump one side of the breast while feeding on the other. After
sometime they can switch over the sides and let the baby feed on the breast
that was pumped earlier.
3. Never do things that could inhibit supply
Smoking, tobacco or alcohol consumption results in
reduced production of mother's milk. These are to be discontinued during
pregnancy as well as during the period where the new born feeds on breast milk.
1. The
other practices that should be avoided during breast feeding period include:
2. Taking
allergy medications
3. Sleeping
on stomach (this would compress the breasts at night)
4. Using
tight brassieres
5. Carrying
a sling with its rings compressing the mother’s back against her breast near
the shoulder
4. Massage & warm compress
1. Mothers
should massage their breasts before they feed the child. This will enhance milk
flow.
2. They
can also use warm water to massage. With the help of a clean cloth that is
dipped in warm water, they can massage around the nipples gently. While doing
this they should mildly press the breast against their chest. This would
enhance milk flow from the ducts.
3. Once
the massaging is done, the mother should slightly lean forward and start
feeding.
5. Keeping hydrated
There will be lesser supply of milk when the mother is
dehydrated. So they should drink ample amount of water to keep themselves
hydrated.
Apart from water, they can also consume juices, milk and
other fluids.
6. Adequate rest
The mother's body experiences so many things during child
birth. So after the baby is born, the most important thing is to take rest in
order for the body to recover after delivery.
The best of all home remedies to increase breast milk
supply is to take ample time to relax and to take rest.
7. Diet
Many mothers have increased breast milk supply by consuming
nutritious food (galactogogues) such as barley, oats millets and quinoas.
Spices such as ginger, fennel and turmeric and other foods such as flaxseeds,
brewer's yeast, sesame seeds and almonds can also increase the milk supply.
Apart from these, mother's milk tea, moringa powder and
fenugreek can also be consumed to boost breast milk. The mothers who feed their
young ones should eat adequately in order to meet the baby's milk demand.
Mothers need a minimum of 500 calories per day to breast feed.
Caution: Pregnant
ladies should avoid the following during pregnancy!
1. Fennel
seeds
2. Fenugreek
3. Blessed
thistle
8. Remove the pacifier
The amount of breast milk depends upon how much the baby
sucks and hence if the baby uses a pacifier, it is better to remove it. This
should be done to make sure that the baby spends more time sucking the mother's
breast.
It is also better to delay or even avoid using bottles or
pacifiers until the breast feeding is very well established. The earlier the
use of these equipments, the faster the baby to get confused about the nipples
thereby leading to a missed opportunity to breast feed. It also reduces the
breast milk supply.
9. Last but not least
1.
Usage
of both the breasts while feeding.
2. It
is better to follow the child's hunger needs rather than following a scheduled
feeding.
3. The
baby should be allowed to cluster feed (within a short period of time when the
baby feeds number of times). It is common for the babies to do this in the
evenings before sleeping.
4. Mothers
should try switching breasts when the baby gets tired of feeding. Switching
between both the breasts up to the point where either gets empty or the baby
gets tired of sucking.
5.
Breast
feeding during night time is good for increasing the supply.
6.
Mothers
should lie down on the bed while nursing. This will help them get rest as well
as allow the baby to feed longer.
