How to effectively increase milk production? Breastfeeding is the key

Mothers with insufficient milk always try to find various remedies to increase milk production, even eating food they don't like, and enduring the pain of insomnia... In the end, their milk production still doesn't increase. The following is how to effectively increase milk production. Breastfeeding is the key.

How to effectively boost breast milk

Stick to breastfeeding. It is not too much to say this many times, because since you have chosen breastfeeding, you should do so. Only when the baby continues to suckle can the mother secrete more prolactin, which is also the healthiest way to stimulate milk production. Breastfeed 8-12 times a day, but do not limit the baby's feeding time. As long as the baby wants to eat, you can feed. In addition, you should switch sides to feed. Only in this way can you stimulate both breasts in a cycle, secrete more milk, and prevent uneven milk production.

What other methods are there to boost breastfeeding?

1. Breastfeeding posture

Common breastfeeding positions may not be suitable for all mothers. As long as you and your baby are relaxed and can enjoy the joy of breastfeeding, that's enough. But if you are a new mother, it is best to use side-lying and sitting-lying positions. If the baby is uncomfortable, he will lose interest in breastfeeding, especially when the baby makes a "smacking" sound, which reminds you to pay attention to the position. To be precise, if one party feels uncomfortable, it is not a good position.

2. Eat a light diet

Some mothers asked if they can drink rice wine? Yes, you can, but not if you drink too much. Everyone has different sensitivities to alcohol. Some people have excessive body reactions after drinking, which not only inhibits the lactation reflex, but also affects breast milk. Also avoid spicy and greasy food. Don't think it's okay to eat it occasionally. Milk blockage is also an occasional occurrence. It's not that you can't drink pig's trotter soup, but if you have a high body fat concentration, it's better to choose other soups instead. Nearly 90% of breast milk is water, so drinking more water is conducive to the synthesis and secretion of milk. Normal people need to drink 2000 ml a day, and breastfeeding mothers need 2500 ml. Soy milk, vegetable soup, boiled water and millet porridge are all fine.

3. Relax and rest

You may not know that your mood can affect milk secretion, and the biggest reason for a bad mood is that something is wrong with your body, which could be an illness or a lack of rest. Breastfeeding mothers have big mood swings, and without a good sleep and a strong heart, it is really difficult to maintain the task of breastfeeding, so it is very important for you to eat well, sleep well, and be in a good mood every day. The most important point is that the family must support and understand the mother, and create a warm and loving environment for the mother and child, which I believe will be more conducive to breastfeeding.

What to eat when milk is insufficient

1. Foods to eat more for lactation after childbirth

(1) Cereals and grains: rice, corn, cornmeal, black rice (also known as “black pearl”), brown rice, wheat flour, sorghum, sweet wheat, and adzuki beans.

(2) Meat, eggs and dairy products: chicken, duck, fish, shrimp, pork, pig's trotters, liver, beef, rabbit meat, etc.

(3) Vegetables: cabbage, cauliflower, radish, potato, sweet potato, pumpkin and other melons, spinach, Chinese cabbage, lotus root, kelp, onion, yam, etc.

(4) Fruits: apples, oranges, bananas, melons such as cantaloupe, papaya, watermelon, etc., as well as strawberries, kiwis, and lemons.

(5) Others: peanuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, etc.

2. Chinese medicine suitable for postpartum milk production:

(1) Winter Melon Seed: It has the effect of promoting lactation and is very effective in treating symptoms such as low milk production, difficulty in milk ejection, and breast pain after childbirth.

(2) Fenugreek and pangolin: can treat problems such as insufficient milk and difficulty in milk ejection.

(3) Tongcao: It can be used for low milk production and is usually used in combination with the two drugs in (2) above.

(4) Cucurbita chinensis and Cucurbita chinensis root: used to treat low breast milk or milk obstruction.

(5) Talc: Treats milk deficiency and miscarriage.

(6) Adzuki beans: Helps promote the delivery of the placenta during childbirth and helps treat breast milk problems.

3. Postpartum milk diet plan:

· Fermented glutinous rice with egg drops

Ingredients: fermented glutinous rice, eggs, and sugar.

Preparation: Beat the eggs and set aside. Boil an appropriate amount of water and add fermented rice. After boiling, stir evenly and pour in the egg liquid. When the water boils again, it is ready to eat. Season with sugar.

· Papaya stewed with bird’s nest

Ingredients: papaya and 2 bottles of bird’s nest.

Method: Cut the papaya into two parts horizontally at one-third of the length and remove the seeds. Pour the bird's nest into the papaya and put the two parts of the papaya together and secure them with toothpicks. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then steam it over low heat for about 40 minutes. It can be eaten after it cools down.

Pig's trotter soup

Ingredients: pig's trotters, peanuts, ginger, and salt.

Method: After blanching the pig's trotters, add them into the pot together with the ginger slices. Turn on high heat first, wait for the water to boil, then simmer for one and a half hours on low heat, add peanuts and simmer for another one and a half hours, and add a small amount of salt before serving.

Self-regulation for insufficient milk supply

1. Wear a suitable bra during breastfeeding. Wear a cotton bra that fits well and is comfortable during breastfeeding. It is best to wear a nursing bra specially designed for breastfeeding mothers. The size should be changed according to the size and weight of the breasts. This is not only convenient for breastfeeding, but also conducive to the recovery of the new mother's figure. Change to a clean bra every day, replace the breast pad in time, or use a breast pad to prevent milk from leaking out and wetting clothes.

2. Take care of your breasts before and after feeding. Before the first breastfeeding, apply clean vegetable oil on the nipples to soften the scabs on the nipples, and then wash the breasts with clean water. Before each breastfeeding, wash your hands, nipples and areola to remove bacteria that may be contaminated by breasts and clothes. Wash with warm water after feeding to prevent the baby from spreading bacteria through the nasopharynx. When feeding, it is best to prepare a small towel specifically for wiping the nipples. Do not mix with other towels. A small white square towel of appropriate size is the most convenient.

3. Protect the nipple. The nipple should be kept clean. If the nipple is lacerated, direct breastfeeding should be stopped. The milk can be squeezed out or sucked out and disinfected before feeding to the baby. You can also apply cod liver oil ointment or castor oil bismuth on the nipple to prevent infection and promote healing. Do not let the baby sleep with the nipple in the mouth, so as to avoid the nipple being damaged or the breast opening being blocked due to long-term immersion, so that the bacteria in the baby's nasopharynx can be easily transmitted to the nipple, which may not only cause mastitis, but also cause vomiting and even suffocation in infants.

4. Prevent breast deformation. Eating too many nutritional supplements or high-calorie foods will not only lead to weight gain, but also be detrimental to the recovery of breast shape after weaning. You can eat more vegetables, fruits, and meat, and drink more low-fat or skim milk to ensure the calcium content in breast milk. Eating stewed pig's trotters and deer antler powder mixed with rice wine can promote milk production and is beneficial to the health of breast skin. Keep your breasts healthy through exercise. Swimming can massage the chest through the pressure of water, which helps to even out the chest muscles; when watching TV, do some chest expansion exercises to exercise the chest muscles and make the chest firm.