Breastfeeding is one’s personal choice. There are numerous benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby. The major concern of many women is that they aren’t producing enough breast milk, which drives them to search for “How to improve breastmilk”. We provide you with some tips to increase your breast milk supply in this blog.
Reasons for low milk supply
When it comes to the cause of poor milk supply, several things can get involved. Some of them are
Emotional elements
Stress can be a factor in the reduction of milk supply. Creating a happy environment will boost your milk production.
Smoking and alcohol
Intake of moderate to high amounts of alcohol and recurrent smoking habits may lower your milk supply
Prior breast surgery
Having a prior breast surgery especially breast reduction may contribute to a low milk supply
Medical conditions
Mothers who are having medical conditions such as pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia, hypertension etc will have low milk supply. Intake of certain medications like contraceptives etc will also reduce breast milk supply.
Other factors:
Other factors which result in low milk supply include your baby having unsatisfactory breast attachment, having timed or scheduled feeding instead of on-demand feeding, giving both breastfeeding and formula feeding to your baby, breast engorgement. The newborn can also be suffering from tongue-tie, cleft palate, congenital heart disease or malabsorption syndrome.
How to improve breastmilk
Eat a Healthful Diet
Maintain a healthy diet while you breastfeed. Choose meals that are high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains etc. Some foods which may increase breast milk production are garlic, ginger, fenugreek, barley, chickpeas, sesame seeds, fennel etc.
Consume a lot of water
Consuming a lot of water usually have a lot of health benefits. Women who are breastfeeding should consume at least an additional four to eight glasses per day in addition to the eight glasses per day that are advised for adults. If you are dehydrated, your body will not be able to produce extra breast milk and thus have an intake of plenty of water every day.
Increase your breastfeeding frequency
When you breastfeed more often, your breasts produce more milk. The reason is hormones which trigger your breasts to create milk are released when your baby suckles on your breast. Furthermore, it can help to establish and sustain milk production if you breastfeed your baby 8–12 times each day.
Sleep whenever you can
Getting sufficient sleep helps in the recovery process after childbirth and increases the amount of breast milk
Try to reduce your stress
After delivery, several things could make you stressed (postpartum depression). Hence, try to engage in regular yoga, breathing exercises, light exercise, socialising with friends, and other stress-reduction techniques and hobbies which might increase your milk production.
Breastfeed from both sides
Pumping milk from both breasts can boost milk production and raise the milk’s fat content.
To summarize
Well, now you have got an idea of “How to improve breast milk”. If you want to produce more breast milk, following these recommendations will be helpful to you. Consult your doctor as soon as you feel you have a poor milk supply to have a better solution.
