How to Increase Breast Milk Naturally at Home – Docindia.org

Many new mothers who have given birth to their newborn babies may find difficulty in having enough amount of milk to feed their babies. This is a common condition that is often faced by new mothers, and there can be several factors that can be responsible for this condition, such as health conditions of the mother or stress of pregnancy.

But there is nothing to worry about this. If you are a new mother or know of someone who has just given birth to their child and is facing problems with low secretion of breast milk, you may follow the list of methods that are given in this article to get rid of this problem easily.

Why choose natural remedies for better breast milk production?

When a mother has just given birth to a child, it is always advisable to choose natural and home remedies to increase the amount of breast milk production. This is suggested because using natural remedies for increasing the production of breast milk among mothers right after giving birth to their kids can significantly help to prevent the chances of developing side effects caused by substances that may contain harmful chemicals and artificial substances. When you use natural and homemade remedies, you can stay away from the harmful effects of chemicals. Moreover, using natural remedies ensures the safety and good health of both the new mother and the newborn baby, whose immune system is still weak.

List of natural remedies to increase breast milk at home:

There can be several natural remedies that new mothers can follow at home to easily improve the synthesis of breast milk right after childbirth. Some of the most commonly used natural methods among new mothers for the synthesis of breast milk include the following:

1. Breastfeed your baby often and for a longer duration:

This is an important method that you can use at home to increase the production of breast milk. Many pediatricians and doctors advise new mothers to breastfeed their babies for longer periods. This can help stimulate the breasts, and it will therefore help in the better production of breast milk. Alongside this, you need to breastfeed your baby often, that is, frequently. This procedure will not only help the understand and decide when to stop feeding, especially when the baby becomes full, but will also help to reduce problems like lack or low production of breast milk, because with repeated breastfeeding, the mother’s body has now become accustomed and will help in better synthesis of breast milk.

Many health experts and professionals recommend that new mothers feed their newborn babies multiple times a day, because when you feed the baby and your baby suckles, the body releases hormones that create a ‘let-down’ reflex in the mother’s body, which can help a better flow of milk to the breasts. Doctors suggest that you feed your baby 8 to 12 times for better production of breast milk.

2. The new mother must have a balanced diet:

The new mother must have a healthy and balanced diet that is rich in essential nutrients. Doctors advise this because the nutrients that the new mother takes in through her daily diet are likely to aid in better production of breast milk for feeding the baby. Make sure that your diet being a new mother is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, so you may include certain essential food components such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains like brown rice, foods rich in omega-3s like salmon and flax seeds.

Apart from these, you may also include garlic, ginger, fennel seeds, herbs like blessed thistle, Alfalfa, spirulina, brewer’s yeast, and so on.

You may also add anti-inflammatory and energy boosting foods, especially dark green vegetables, almonds, oatmeal, and so on, because the new mother would require a lot of physical energy to produce milk and feed the baby, so foods that are rich in carbohydrates will also be necessary.

While planning a diet for increasing the production of breast milk, it is important to consult with an expert first to get rid of the risks of side effects from foods.

3. Breastfeed your baby from both breasts:

Breastfeeding your baby from only one side may affect the synthesis of breast milk, so it is always advised that the child should be allowed to feed from both sides. When your baby feeds and then slows down after feeding from the first breast, offer them the other one. This procedure can help in the better production of breast milk naturally. This happens because when you feed your baby from both breasts, the body helps in the secretion of hormones, which can allow for better production of breast milk.

4. Pump your breasts in between feedings:

Pumping can be a very effective and natural way you stimulate better production of breast milk at home. There can be different types of pumps that you may use based on your choice or what the doctor advises you. For easier pumping, warming your breasts may help to make you feel at ease and comfortable. You may do the pumping in between feedings or when you have milk left over after a feeding.

5. Drink plenty of water:

Drinking plenty of water is necessary for better synthesis of breast milk, especially when you have a lack of breast milk production after giving birth. A major part of breast milk comprises water, for which doctors recommend new mothers to drink eight more cups of water a day, along with the recommended eight, that is, 8-ounce glasses per day. Apart from drinking water, you can also drink other fluids such as fruit juices or milk, which can be both beneficial for your health and can increase the production of breast milk. Apart from having these fluids, you must also stay hydrated because dehydration, especially in the summer months, can affect the production of breast milk for the new mother. So, doctors recommend that new mothers have watermelon, cucumbers, and berries to stay hydrated all day.

6. Get proper rest and sleep:

The body has already gone through a lot of pain and turmoil through labour pain and childbirth, so the body now needs proper rest and sleep to allow better synthesis of breast milk. So doctors always advise new mothers to take a nap whenever possible, which may be before or after feeding the baby. When you get enough sleep and rest, it helps the body to recover from pregnancy and produce better breast milk for the baby. Post-partum phase, for most mothers, can also affect their sleep cycles negatively due to a lot of hormonal changes in the body, so it is always advisable for you to prioritize your sleep first to make more breast milk and to stay healthy.

7. Reduce your stress levels:

Hormones change like a roller coaster in the body of the new mother after she has given birth to her baby. So, it is always advisable for the mother to take good care of her mental health, because high levels of stress can also affect the production of breast milk negatively. If necessary, talk to your partner for better stress management and for healthily reducing stress. You may also seek professional help that can help you improve your mental health. For reducing stress, you may practise yoga, do activities you love, listen to soothing music, and so on.

8. Limit your caffeine intake:

New mothers are always advised to avoid or limit their total caffeine intake in a day, especially when they are facing problems like low production of breast milk during the lactating phase. Having too much caffeine can make the body dehydrated, which can lead to a lack of breast milk for feeding the baby.

Conclusion:

Many new mothers face the challenge of low or even no breast milk right after giving birth, and there can be plenty of reasons for such occurrences. But there is nothing to worry about because this occurrence is not abnormal. Throughout pregnancy and childbirth, the mother’s body goes through excruciating pain, which can result in such conditions. You can easily reverse this low production of breast milk after your child's birth at home by using natural processes. Having a healthy diet and living a healthy lifestyle is crucial. If you wish to use herbal components or supplements in your diet for better production of breast milk, you must always consult your health care professional first to avoid side effects.