You might be worried about not producing enough breast milk for your baby. However, it would be best if you weren’t worried since you are not alone. When new mothers start breastfeeding their baby, most may either entirely or partially stop producing milk within the first few months.
One reason women need to increase breastmilk supply is the worry about insufficient milk supply. For some women, their milk supply might be fine. However, if you want to increase your breast milk supply, there are various ways you can do it.
Below, you can learn about several methods that you could use to increase your breast milk production. Let’s begin.
● Use breast pumps
Pumping can be used in increasing your breast milk supply. It would be best to use pumps like a high-quality electric breast pump or hospital-grade pump.
Using a small battery or electric pump or pump operated by hand can be good. However, it is not strong enough to maintain, build, or increase breast milk supply.
You can try out a double pump, especially if you want to pump excessively. If you are not sure of the right breast pump, you can consider breast pump through insurance from Byram Healthcare, you would get the most effective.
● Use both sides for breastfeeding
Try feeding your baby from both breasts with each feeding. For example, feed your baby from the first breast till they stop feeding or slow down, then you can offer them the second breast.
The stimulation from both breasts being used in breastfeeding can help in increasing milk production. You could also try pumping milk simultaneously from both breasts.
● Proper baby latching
You should ensure that your baby is correctly latched to your breast. Latching your baby correctly is an efficient way of increasing your breast milk supply.
Often, a poor latch is why mothers’ breast milk supply is not as abundant as it should be. In addition, if your baby is not properly latched on, they would be unable to remove milk from your breast.
However, proper latching and removing milk from your breast can stimulate your body to produce more milk. You can talk to your local lactation consultant or your doctor if you aren’t sure about determining the correct latching method.
● Reduce stress
Though stress might be incapable of increasing milk production, it can affect your letdown reflex that releases milk from your milk ducts. This could make it harder for your baby to be adequately fed.
Moreover, this is why you must take care of yourself and be in your best health. You can ask your family, partner, or friends to deal with other things for you.
For example, tell guests to wait for weeks before they visit. This would allow you to increase your milk supply and nurse your baby in peace.
Getting used to a post-pregnancy routine is crucial in establishing proper breastfeeding, allowing the mother and the baby to bond and adjust to each other. It also positively impacts you as a mother, as breastfeeding is proven to be a stress-relieving and relaxing activity.
Serenity Kids discusses why breastfeeding can make moms tired and sleepy. Oxytocin and prolactin help enhance the love and affection between the mother and her baby for a deeper emotional bonding experience during breastfeeding. These hormones also help reduce stress and promote relaxation, making a breastfeeding mom drowsy.
● Regularly breastfeed
You should regularly breastfeed your baby and let them decide when they want to stop. When babies suckle your breast, they trigger your hormone (letdown) to produce milk. Therefore, the more you breastfeed your child, the more milk your breast will make.
As mentioned, breastfeeding can cause feelings of tiredness and drowsiness. To avoid tiredness during breastfeeding, moms must get as much sleep as possible. Sleep deprivation increases cortisol, a hormone that increases stress and reduces milk production.
A proper diet can help increase your milk supply during breastfeeding. Your baby benefits from the nutrients you take from foods. As a result, regularly breastfeeding can deplete your body with the must-have nutrients. Therefore, you must consume protein foods twice or thrice daily, like meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, nuts, seeds, and beans. Eat three servings of yellow and dark green veggies and two servings of fruits per day. Don’t forget to eat whole grains, including cereal, wheat bread, oatmeal, and pasta.
Wrap Up
Low milk supply is common among moms new to breastfeeding. Therefore, if you are worried, you should not be since you are not alone. Instead, speak with your lactation specialist or medical practitioner to get the necessary support.
