Signs of low milk supply | Improved lactation

Too little milk? How to increase milk production

1 Pang WW, Hartmann PE. Initiation of human lactation: secretory differentiation and secretory activation. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 2007;12(4):211-221. — Pang W.U., Har. F Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 2007;12(4):211-221.

2 Vanky E et al. Breastfeeding in polycystic ovary syndrome. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2008;87(5):531-535. — Vanki I. et al., “Breastfeeding in the setting of polycystic ovary syndrome.” Akta Obstet Ginekol Scand. 2008;87(5):531-535.

3 Neifert MR et al. Lactation failure due to insufficient glandular development of the breast. Pediatrics. 1985;76(5):823-828. — Neifert M.R. and co-authors, “Inability to lactation due to deficiency of glandular breast tissue.” Pediatrix (Pediatrics). 1985;76(5):823-828.

4 Neifert M et al. The influence of breast surgery, breast appearance, and pregnancy-induced breast changes on lactation sufficiency as measured by infant weight gain. Birth. 1990;17(1):31-38. —Neifert M. et al., “The Effect of Breast Surgery, Breast Appearance, and Pregnancy-Induced Breast Changes on Milk Quantity Measured by Baby Weighing.” Bers. 1990;17(1):31-38.

5 C Tawia S, McGuire L. Early weight loss and weight gain in healthy, full-term, exclusively-breastfed infants. Breastfeed Rev. 2014;22(1):31-42. — S. Tavia S., McGuire L., “Newborn weight loss and gain in healthy full-term exclusively breastfed infants.” Brestfeed Rev (Breastfeeding Review). 2014;22(1):31-42.

6 Lawrence RA, Lawrence RM. Breastfeeding: A guide for the medical profession. 7th ed. Maryland Heights MO, USA: Elsevier Mosby; 2010. 1128 p. — Lawrence R.A., Lawrence R.M., Breastfeeding: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. Seventh edition. Maryland Heights Publishing, Missouri, USA: Elsevier Mosby; 2010. Pp. 1128.

7 World Health Organisation. [Internet]. Child growth standards; 2018 - World Health Organization. [Internet]. Child Growth Standards 2021 [cited February 2018].

8 Keith DR et al. The effect of music-based listening interventions on the volume, fat content, and caloric content of breast milk-produced by mothers of premature and critically ill infants. Adv Neonatal Care. 2012;12(2):112-119 - Keith D.R. and co-authors, “The effect of listening to music on the quantity, fat content, composition and caloric content of breast milk in mothers of premature and seriously ill infants.” Adv Neonetal Care. 2012;12(2):112-119

9 Meier PP et al. Breast pump suction patterns that mimic the human infant during breastfeeding: greater milk output in less time spent pumping for breast pump-dependent mothers with premature infants. J Perinatol. 2012;32(2):103-10. — Meyer P.P. et al., “Pumping regimens that mimic infant feeding behavior: More milk and less time investment for chronically pumping mothers of preterm infants.” J Perinatol (Journal of Perinatology). 2012;32(2):103-10.

10 Prime DK et al. Simultaneous breast expression in breastfeeding women is more effective than sequential breast expression.Breastfeed Med. 2012;7(6):442-447. — Prime D.K. et al. “During the breastfeeding period, expressing both breasts at the same time is more productive than sequentially.” Brestfeed Med (Breastfeeding Medicine). 2012;7(6):442-447.

11 Stanford University School of Medicine [Internet]. Stanford, CA, USA: Maximizing Milk Production with Hands-On Pumping; 2021. . — Stanford University School of Medicine [Internet]. Stanford, California, USA: "Increasing milk production with hand expression"; 2021. [Page visited 04/30/2018].

12 Morton J et al. Combining hand techniques with electric pumping increases milk production in mothers of preterm infants. J Perinatol. 2009;29(11):757-764. — Morton J. et al., “Hand Expression Combined with an Electric Breast Pump Increases Breast Milk Supply in Mothers of Preterm Infants.” J Perinatol (Journal of Perinatology). 2009;29(11):757.

What should you drink for milk lactation?

Let's take a closer look at what drinks you need to take to enhance lactation and increase the volume of breast milk produced.

Freshly squeezed carrot juice

The carrot root should be washed with a brush and grated on the finest grater, and the juice should be squeezed out of the mass through cheesecloth.

If you don't like the taste of carrot juice, you can improve it by adding a small amount of your choice:

Cream;
Natural milk;
Honey (if there is no allergy);
Fruit, other vegetable or berry juice.

The amount of additional ingredients should not exceed 1-2 tablespoons in relation to 1 glass of juice. Otherwise, its lactogenic properties will be reduced. You should take half a glass, 3 times a day.

Milk with finely grated carrots

Grate the carrots using a fine grater. Place 3-4 tablespoons of the resulting puree into a mug, glass or cup. Pour 200 ml of milk at a comfortable drinking temperature and stir. You can use cream instead of milk. Take a whole glass of the resulting mixture 2 to 3 times a day. In the evening portion, if there is no intolerance and if desired, add a little honey: one or two teaspoons. This will promote good relaxation and a good night's sleep.

Lettuce seed drink

20 grams of lettuce seeds should be crushed with a non-metallic pestle in a glass or porcelain bowl. Add 1 cup of fresh boiling water and leave to steep for 2-3 hours. You can improve the taste of the drink by adding one or two teaspoons of honey per 1 glass of liquid. Strain through cheesecloth. drink intake: three or twice a day, half a glass.

Cumin drink

This drink needs to be brewed. To prepare you should take:

Cumin seeds – 15 grams;
Granulated sugar – 100 grams;
1 medium lemon (or 2 grams of citric acid).

Mix everything, add 1 liter of water, put on fire. Bring to a boil while stirring, reduce heat and simmer for five to ten minutes. Strain after removing from heat and leave to cool. drink intake: three or twice a day, half a glass.

Caraway drink with heavy cream

Prepared in a ceramic pot. Pour and pour into the pot:

Cumin (crushed seeds) – 2 tablespoons;
Cream of ten to fifteen percent fat content - 2 full glasses.

Preheat the oven to just below medium heat. Let the pot simmer for 30-40 minutes, then cool to a comfortable temperature. Take half a glass of the drink during breakfast and dinner.

Caraway kvass

To prepare, take the following ingredients:

Black (rye) bread – 1 kg;
Cumin seeds – 40 grams;
Granulated sugar – 500 grams;
Yeast – 25 grams;
Water – 10 liters.

Cut the bread into cubes or strips, dry and lightly fry in a dry frying pan or on a baking sheet in the oven. Place the pieces of bread into a glass bottle, then add cool boiled water and leave to infuse for 3-4 hours at room temperature. Then take out the bottle, strain the infusion, and then add granulated sugar, caraway seeds and yeast. Place the bottle in a warm place and leave to ferment for 10-11-12 hours.

Dill seed infusion

Pour 1 tablespoon of dried dill seeds into 1 glass of fresh boiling water and leave to steep for 2 hours, then strain.

Take depending on individual reaction:

Half a glass of infusion twice a day.
1 full tablespoon of the product 6 times a day.

Correct technique: take small sips, holding each swallow in the mouth for a few seconds.

Anise seed infusion

Pour 2 teaspoons of anise seeds into 1 glass of fresh boiling water. Leave for 1 hour, strain, cool. Should be taken half an hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner (three or four times during the day) 2 tablespoons.

Herbal drink

Mix the plant materials:

Pounded anise fruit – 10 grams;
Fennel fruits – 10 grams;
Oregano herbs – 10 grams.

Take 1 teaspoon of the resulting mixture, pour in 1 glass of boiling water, leave to brew for 2 hours, then strain. You should take half a glass 2 or 3 times a day.

Honey and radish juice

Grate fresh radish on the finest grater and squeeze out the juice through double gauze.

Mix ingredients:

Radish juice – 100 grams;
Boiled, cooled and lightly salted water – 100 grams;
Natural honey – 1 tablespoon.

Take 1/3 – 1/2 cup 2-3 times during the day.

Milk in my head

Milk production is a hormone-dependent process. When a child takes a nipple into his mouth, a neuro-reflex impulse is sent to the hypothalamus of the mother's brain, which causes the production of the hormones prolactin and oxytocin. The main one, prolactin, stimulates the formation of milk in the alveoli. And oxytocin “compresses” the corresponding muscle cells of the alveoli, pushing milk into the excretory streams. In response to breastfeeding, the pituitary gland produces several times more prolactin. Thanks to this, a new supply of breast milk is prepared already during feeding, and 2 hours after it, about 70-75% of what the baby sucked is restored for the next meal. Therefore, the more often a baby snacks, the more milk is produced. However, nature will not allow the development of a “crisis of overproduction.” The volume of milk produced by each gland is strictly regulated by the intensity of its consumption. No need - no production.

Products that stimulate lactation

Only high-quality breast milk will benefit the child's body. In order for milk to be nutritious and healthy, mother must take care of her diet.

The protein content in breast milk does not depend on its content in the foods consumed by the woman. But the amount of fat, vitamins and mineral components in milk directly depends on what she eats.

During lactation, the female body needs more vitamins, minerals and other useful components. In terms of calorie content, a woman’s diet during this period should be approximately 600 kilocalories more than usual.

Many foods that stimulate lactation are common. These are meat and fish dishes, cereals and cereals, fermented milk and dairy products, bread, vegetable and butter, fresh vegetables and fruits, berries, nuts.

All foods should be consumed in moderation. It is also important to remember that all dishes consumed by the mother “end up” in breast milk. Therefore, allergenic foods can cause colic or allergies in a baby.

What not to do

You can worry about preventing allergies in a newborn in advance and exclude the following foods from the young mother’s diet:

milk chocolate;
honey (other bee products - bee bread, propolis and royal jelly, on the contrary, have a beneficial effect on the lactation process);
spicy, pickled and spicy dishes;
canned food;
citrus;
sausages.

The following foods consumed by a nursing woman lead to colic and other digestive disorders in a newborn:

grape;
confectionery;
excess sugar;
plant-based sweet curd spreads and cheeses;
carbonated sweet drinks;
sweet cereals.

Food with a specific smell is not always to the liking of babies, so they often refuse to breastfeed. You should use “fragrant” foods with extreme caution:

garlic;
onions and green onions;
asparagus;
fresh cabbage.

Products that help reduce lactation:

smoked and highly salted dishes, as well as all foods that can retain fluid in the body;
tea with mint;
jasmine tea;
herbs - basil and parsley;
bird cherry berries;
cowberry.

Healthy foods

What foods are good for a young mother?

Sources of protein and calcium include lean red meats, turkey and chicken fillets, rabbit, and sea fish.
The source of fat is vegetable (corn or olive) oil, natural butter.
Fresh fruits (except citrus fruits).
Boiled, stewed or fresh vegetables.
Cereal soups.
Porridge.
Walnuts.
Broccoli.
Medium fat sour cream (15%).
Hard varieties of cheese.

Many women want sweets, but they limit themselves so as not to disrupt the lactation process and not spoil the quality of milk. But not all sweets are harmful. There are also those that, when used wisely, help a woman gain a boost of energy and improve her emotional state - marshmallows, marshmallows, halva, marmalade.

But it is better to avoid sweet and buttery cakes. Excessive vegetable fat content in breast milk can cause constipation in a newborn. From flour products, a nursing mother can eat shortbread cookies and biscuits.

You need to eat small meals throughout the day. Portions should be small, but you need to eat often - up to 6 times a day. It is recommended to eat healthy food half an hour before the planned feeding of the baby.

Herbal teas

Herbal teas will also help stimulate lactation. Extracts of the following herbs have a beneficial effect on the production of breast milk:

fennel;
anise;
caraway;
nettle;
Melissa.

If herbal extracts are purchased at a pharmacy, then it is necessary that the “BIO” icon be present on the packaging. This inscription guarantees that the plant materials were grown in ecologically clean areas, collected and prepared according to all necessary requirements.

It is not advisable to purchase herbal preparations with the presence of additional ingredients (flavors, dyes, etc.).

The stores have a large selection of herbal teas for nursing women. They contain herbal dry mixtures, fruit powders and sugar. The following received good reviews, “Kruger”.

Signs of feeding problems

When the baby sucks, you do not hear sips - this means that he is not sucking out milk;
You have cracked nipples;
The baby's jaundice is progressing;
The baby cries quietly and sluggishly;
The baby sleeps too much and sucks too little;
The baby falls asleep immediately after feeding begins;
You change him less than 5 - 6 wet diapers a day.

If your baby has a hard time latching or you have “flat” nipples, you can use special attachments until feeding is established.
Shields should only be used with the approval of a lactation consultant or pediatrician, as they can reduce your milk supply and lead to breastfeeding.

Remember that any problems at the start of feeding can be easily eliminated. Statistics are on your side: 98% of women can fully breastfeed their baby. Be attentive to yourself and your baby, and everything will definitely work out!

Rating of the best lactation products for 2021

The choice of lactation pills that will not have a negative impact on the health of the nursing mother and baby should be made by a doctor. The rating helps to narrow the search range, compare different offers, their advantages and disadvantages. Experts reviewed several dozen product items and selected the best ones for enhancing lactation, according to doctors and users.

Natural

Leptaven

A dietary supplement, produced in the form of tablets, which gives a noticeable, quick effect, and is intended to enhance or stabilize the production of breast milk. The composition contains two active components - the herbs Breinia and Leptadenia reticularis, which have high lactogonic properties. Breinia is able to fight any inflammation, and leptadenia increases the vitality of the body.

In terms of its composition, it is completely safe for the health of mother and child, enriches the composition of milk with calcium, proteins and fats, and does not allow it to burn out or stagnate if the milk has not been expressed for a long time. There are 50 capsules in a package. Taking the medicine gives a quick effect that lasts for some time after stopping taking it.

Leptaven is the most popular and purchased, having a huge number of positive reviews. There are no contraindications, except for individual intolerance. Take 2 capsules twice a day before meals with plenty of water. The course is designed for a month, since the dietary supplement has a cumulative effect.

Leptaven

Advantages:

completely natural composition;
hypoallergenic;
conveniently packaged;
quick effect;
easy to use;
low price.

Flaws:

course admission is required;
there are fakes.

A nicotinic acid

Water-soluble vitamin PP has a positive effect on blood vessels, improves blood flow, has a sedative effect, and improves hormonal levels. All this helps to increase the amount of breast milk produced by the mammary glands during lactation. Available in tablets.

Nicotinic acid is prescribed to nursing women quite rarely; this is usually done in cases where it is not possible to take other drugs, or in case of individual intolerance. The prescribing physician must constantly monitor the condition of the nursing mother and monitor the progress of therapy. The doctor selects the duration of the course and dosage regimen individually for each patient. The usual dosage regimen is 1-3 tablets during the day, course duration is 2 weeks.

A nicotinic acid

Advantages:

has a positive effect on blood vessels;
improves blood flow;
has a sedative effect;
helps in the production of sex hormones.

Flaws:

not found.

Homeopathic remedies

Apilak

The homeopathic remedy contains only natural ingredients that have a restorative effect on the body. The medicine is based on royal jelly, famous for its properties as a natural immunomodulator. This substance has many healing qualities due to the rich content of various minerals, amino acids, fats, proteins, vitamins and hormones. Royal jelly accelerates metabolism and other metabolic processes in the body, which has been confirmed by clinical trials. Fatty acids and enzymes have a lactogenic effect. The source of energy in the product is glucose. The drug is prescribed to women to increase lactation during stress, lack of milk, and arterial hypotension.

It is recommended to drink 3-4 tablets per day daily for 10-15 days. A contraindication to the use of the medicine is individual intolerance to bee products or other components contained in Apilak. Not recommended for insufficient functioning of the adrenal cortex. May cause side effects such as an allergic reaction or sleep disturbance.

Apilak

Advantages:

immunomodulator of natural origin;
general strengthening effect on the body;
natural composition;
low cost;
has a good effect on the body of babies;
a large list of therapeutic properties.

Flaws:

may cause an allergic reaction.

Mlekoin

The homeopathic remedy consists only of natural ingredients, and there are several active substances - agnus cactus, meadow lumbago and stinging nettle. Available in the form of small granules. Meadow lumbago has a diuretic, analgesic and sedative effect, and it also helps stabilize a person’s psychological state. Nettle promotes hematopoiesis and improves the functioning of the reproductive system, and agnus cactus normalizes hormonal levels.

The drug helps stimulate lactation and contraction of the uterus, which has been proven in clinical trials. Indications for use of the drug are lack of milk, prevention of mastitis, prolongation of breastfeeding.

Granules can be taken throughout the entire period of lactation, dissolving them 1-6 pieces per day. It is not recommended to take the product for women with individual intolerance to the substances contained in Mlekoin, as this can cause an allergic reaction.

Mlekoin

Advantages:

milk production increases by 50%;
natural ingredients;
wide range of therapeutic effects;
prevention of mastitis;
low cost;
granules are easy to use.

Flaws:

components may cause allergies;
The packaging is not convenient to use the drug.

Combined dietary supplements

Laktogon

It belongs to the category of dietary supplements and contains only natural substances. The product can be purchased in the form of tablets or tea. Carrot extract has lactogenic properties, which increases the secretion of the mammary glands. In addition, this substance has a beneficial effect on the condition of nails, hair and teeth. The composition includes royal jelly, which perfectly calms in stressful situations. Ginger and nettle are natural immunomodulators, strengthening the entire body, oregano relieves pain, and dill eliminates colic in a child.

Contains vitamin C and potassium iodide, due to which its therapeutic properties significantly expand their spectrum. Recommended for use in case of lack of milk, prolongation of lactation period or to strengthen the immunity of a young mother.

The tablets are taken for a month 3 times a day with meals. It is not recommended to take during pregnancy, in the presence of diabetes mellitus, individual intolerance to the substances contained in the drug, as well as in cases of dysfunction of the thyroid gland. If the instructions for use are not followed, allergic reactions and disease complications may occur.

Laktogon

Advantages:

general strengthening effect on the body;
consists of natural ingredients;
quick impact;
pleasant taste;
useful supplements.

Flaws:

high cost and rapid consumption;
side effects and contraindications.

Femilak

The drug is very convenient to use, as it comes in powder form, which must be dissolved in food or drink before use. The rich composition of the product saturates the young mother’s body with all the necessary substances. It contains 13 vitamins, 12 minerals, dry dairy products and vegetable oils. It is recommended for use not only after childbirth, but also during pregnancy, as it contains substances important for fetal development such as calcium, folic acid and iron.

To prepare the drink, dissolve 1 tablespoon of powder in a glass of water and drink immediately. It is recommended to take 1 time per day. A contraindication to the use of Femilak is the presence of individual intolerance to the substances contained in the drug, as this threatens the development of allergies.

Femilak

Advantages: