How to increase lactation if you do not have enough breast milk?
Most times it is not really common for mothers to think they have a low breast milk production or they are not meeting up to their baby’s feeding schedules. The best thing to do to increase lactation is to see a lactation consultant. Your lactation consultant will definitely tell why you are experiencing a low breast milk and also let you know the steps to take to increase lactation if your breast milk is truly low. In addition, to this, your lactation specialist will also expose you to ways you can keep breast milk production at optimum levels. There is also some local La Leche league for information, education, encouragement, mother-to-mother support and to encourage a better understanding of breastfeeding as a unique component in the healthy growth of the mother and baby. Having said all this seeing a lactation specialist is one of the many ways to increase lactation in breastfeeding mothers. The use of supplements and other herbal methods can also be employed in the process of boosting breast milk production.
What supplements to take to increase breast milk supply? Medicine, breastfeeding pills, vitamins or herbs?
Your baby is one of the ways you can get to increase the amount of breast milk flow that you produce, this is because your babies stimulate your breast to produce more milk more than pumping. Ensure your baby on each of your breasts until he/she has reached maximum satisfaction. When your baby falls asleep in the process of breastfeeding is a good sign that they are getting enough for their satisfaction. The use of electrical breast pumps can also be encouraged if direct feeding is not an option. Production of breast milk has shown to increase by double pumping which is as a result of a hormone known as Prolactin. Breast pump sessions should be limited to let’s say 10-15 minutes.
Fenugreek is a herb that is found to increase milk in the breast in mothers, the use of this herb with nursing at the breast or breast pumping at improved frequencies has been shown to yield the best results. Fenugreek can be found at local nutrition stores and also health food stores. Just about 2-4 capsules, a day is the standard dosage to be taken. Breastfeeding mothers who have tried experienced increased breast milk production. Meanwhile taking Fenugreek for increasing breast milk when taken in the pill form has been shown to yield fast and effective results. However, you should also be aware that as effective as Fenugreek is, it also have some downsides when taken in high dosage. It can cause conditions such as hypoglycemia and urinary tract infections during pregnancy. One thing to take note of is that you do not need to take it in a high dosage as it is highly effective, especially when combined with Blessed Thistle and Alfalfa, these two are herbs that also enhance lactation in women. When combined with Fenugreek is always the best, and this has been proven by some mothers. Hence due to its effectiveness at stimulating milk production, it should be taken in recommended dosage.
When it comes to the use of medicine in stimulating lactation or increasing breast milk, it is advisable to seek the advice of a physician. Although the use of prescription may not be favorable, but it is a feasible option should in case other methods have failed. Prescription drugs such as Metoclopramide which is also known as Reglan can be given by your doctor and also domperidone. These are the two most popular drugs used to increase lactation in breastfeeding mothers which have been successful, but Reglan always comes with its side effects such as mood swings, seizures, diarrhea and depression, meanwhile domperidone also comes with its side effect which ranges from abdominal cramps, dry mouth, and headache. So you might want to avoid this conditions because you will not want to go through all these even after delivery. So you can never go wrong going the herbal way, by choosing the combination of Fenugreek, Alfalfa, and Blessed Thistle. Not forgetting galactagogues which are an herbal medicine which stimulates breast milk supply. Other herbs are Hops, Barley water and Fennel, Borage leaves, Goat’s Rue, Milk Thistle and Anise. All this work effectively.
Medication or herbal supplements for stimulating breast milk production for breastfeeding moms.
Dietary supplements such as nuMOM breastfeeding vitamin is also a good one. Multivitamin is mostly intended to enhance the body after delivery and provide mothers with the essential vitamins and minerals needed after childbirth. This multivitamin is produced considering the recommended Dietary allowances for lactating mothers as defined by the National Academy of Science Institute of Medicine. So you cannot go wrong using multivitamins. However, as said earlier herbal supplements is unarguably the best means of increasing milk production in women. A supplement called More Milk Plus Vegetarian Capsule, this capsule makes use of blessed thistle, nettle leaf, Fenugreek and fennel seeds to bring about an increase in breast milk production.
However, taking oatmeal every morning also help with milk production for lactating women in case you have been asking which food supplements help. Oatmeal can also be in the form of cookies. Quinoa is a type of grain which can also be used to boost breast milk production. Milk teas are herbs which can also be used, but should be taking in considerable amounts. When your sweat starts smelling like maple syrup you should know you have taken too much of Fenugreek.
Moreover, dehydration is a cause of low milk supply, it is, however, important to take plenty of fluids like juice, water but ensure you do not overdo it also as over hydrating may have a negative effect on breast milk production. Ensure that in carrying out all this breast milk production enhancing methods, do it in the right and normal measures so as to achieve optimum results.
What remedies can I do or take to help produce more breastmilk for newborn baby naturally
Frequent feeding can help you produce more breast milk. This will stimulate more breast milk flow for increased milk production if done frequently. Schedule feedings with less time in between each feeding period will increase the time your baby spends sucking. This increase milk production more often. Moreover, you need to take some time to sleep. Sleep generally helps to increase milk production in women. The use of breast pump to get the milk available provided you need to sleep, so the father can get to feed the baby with mother milk with bottle and this will give you some good hours of sleep. In the absence of the father, keep the baby close to you and you can also learn how to co-sleep with your baby. Keep your baby close with the possibility of feeding her more while sleeping and this will certainly give you some time to relax. Mothers should also take high nutritional diets, this gives high-quality milk. You can increase fat intake just to a moderate length, this includes good fats such as tallow, olive oil and coconut oil as it improves the supply and quality of milk. Avoid unhealthy foods such as too much carbohydrate and sugars, you can take snacks in between meal times if you still feel hungry.
Conclusively, having talked about means to increase breast milk production. You will want to make the herbal means of enhancing lactation a priority this is because it has proven to be effective over time and it has been ascertained by breastfeeding mothers for its effectiveness. You should also note that when taken in considerate amounts, it has no side effects.