How To Increase Lactation And Improve The Quality Of Breast Milk For A Nursing Mother? The Most Effective Ways To Increase Lactation

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

How to increase lactation and improve the quality of breast milk for a nursing mother?

The main task and concern of any young mother who has recently given birth to a baby is to provide her baby with a sufficient amount of breast milk. It is a pity that not all babies are breastfed. And it's not about the refusal or unwillingness of young mothers to breastfeed.

Very often, the production of breast milk in women is reduced, that is, hypogalactia is evident. Many consider this situation irreparable and transfer their children to artificial feeding.

You can understand young mothers and pregnant women who are worried about whether their children will be able to receive mother's milk, whether the baby will have enough milk and how much milk is “enough” to breastfeed the baby for as long as possible.

However, although the problem of hypogalactia is relevant, it can be corrected by applying a competent and responsible approach to it.

Content:

• Why does this happen?
• How do you know if your baby is short of milk?
• 5 food and drug groups to increase lactation
• What should you drink to lactate milk?
• Products that increase milk lactation
• What foods are prohibited?
• The 4 most effective folk remedies
• Helpful tips on how to increase lactation
• Mistakes of young mothers
• 13 ways to boost lactation (video)
• Dr. Komarovsky on ways to improve lactation (video)

Why does this happen?

Primary (so-called true) hypogalactia makes up no more than 5% of all cases and is caused by serious health problems, in particular, in the work of the endocrine system. In 95% of situations, the problem can be solved by eliminating the root cause.

The main factors affecting the development of hypogalactia:

• The young mother lacks such a positive psychological attitude aimed at ensuring that her child is breastfed (there is no dominant lactation).
• An irresponsible approach to nutrition during periods of both pregnancy and lactation - lack of a regimen, an unbalanced diet.
• Stressful situations in women related to work or family problems.
• Lack of frequent attachment to the breast of the baby.
• The introduction of supplementary feeding and complementary foods into the child's diet at the early stages of his growth and development, when this is not necessary.
• Breastfeeding the baby by the hour, not on demand.

Lactation crises

It happens that against the background of well-functioning natural feeding, a young mother sharply and for no apparent reason decreases the amount of her breast milk - a lactation crisis occurs.

Its reasons may be:

• An abrupt increase in appetite in a growing baby;
• Temporary hormonal imbalance in the mother's body;
• A combination of the above two reasons.

Most often, lactation crises occur in mothers at the age of the baby:

• From 3 to 6 weeks;
• At the 3rd month;
• At the 4th month;
• At the 7th month;
• At the 8th month.

The duration of lactation crises is approximately 3-4 days. They do not pose a threat to the health of the baby or mother. It is important for a young mother to know that such situations arise and are a variant of the norm. To cope with this temporary condition most safely, you should react calmly and attach the baby to the breast more often than usual. In this case, the volume of milk produced will gradually increase and the body will enter the normal mode of lactation functioning.

How do you know if your baby is short of milk?

The main hypothetical signs indicating that the child is not eating enough due to the lack of breast milk:

• The child is restless, naughty, often crying;
• The child is not gaining the rate of monthly weight gain;
• The daily volume of breast milk has decreased;
• The daily volume of urine excreted by the child has decreased, the so-called symptom or syndrome of "dry diapers" is observed - normally, the baby urinates 6-15 times a day, the urine is clear or pale yellow.

It is possible to reliably verify that hypogalactia has occurred by determining the daily volume of breast milk. During the day, a control weighing of the child is carried out - the weight of the baby is determined before and after each feeding. The resulting difference will be equal to the volume of breast milk. The measurement is carried out on a purposeful basis, precisely during the day, and not during one of the feedings. The baby can eat different amounts of breast milk in different latching to the breast, so the results add up over 24 hours. It is not necessary to weigh the baby every day - this can cause his anxiety and the anxiety of the mother about the likely contrived lack of breast milk.

The diagnosis of hypogalactia is confirmed only by a doctor. With one suspicion of this condition, in no case should supplementary feeding be introduced in the form of milk formulas. Even with official confirmation, a mother can increase the amount of breast milk by taking the necessary measures, which we will talk about in the article. Sometimes it is better for a young woman to consult with a psychologist to calm down and start judiciously taking steps to keep her baby breastfeeding.

5 food and drug groups to increase lactation

Official studies have confirmed that one of the main causes of hypogalactia is an unbalanced diet and an irrational diet. It is important to pay increased attention to a woman's nutrition during pregnancy and lactation. During this period, the female body requires a certain amount of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, proteins and other nutrients. Adequate intake of water, drinks and liquid food is also necessary. A woman should consume from one and a half to 2 liters of liquid per day. Sometimes a young mother is prescribed specifically to enhance lactation:

• Products;
• Beverages;
• Complex preparations of vitamins and minerals;
• Biologically active food additives (BAA);
• Medications;
• Physiotherapy.

Consider the foods listed in the table that have a beneficial effect on enhancing lactation for each of these groups.

Group I. Preparations for correction of the diet for proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, trace elements

The composition of the Femilak mixture includes milk protein, which is enriched with a complex that includes 15 vitamins, corn oil, and taurine, the most important component of breast milk. The use of Femilak is indicated during pregnancy and lactation. taking the formula has a beneficial effect on the health of the woman and the development of the baby (both before and after birth), increases the amount of milk and improves the chemical composition during lactation.

"Dumil Mama Plus" and "Enfa-Mama" are similar in composition to the mixture (excluding taurine content). Their properties are also similar, but somewhat inferior to "Femilak".

Developed for athletes, the soybean dry mix "Olympic" has proven itself to be used by nursing mothers to improve milk production.

Group II. Lactogenic Supplement Diet Correction Products

Milky Way milk formula specially created for nursing mothers contains dry cow's milk and soy protein, chicory, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and a particularly important component - galega herb extract. This substance has the strongest lactogenic properties. The mixture "Milky Way" is prescribed for young mothers from the first days of lactation. It is used by women from the so-called "hypogalactia risk group" - with a delay in the formation of breast milk, a short period of breastfeeding for older children.

Group III. Plant-based lactogenic products in the form of drinks

Some plant foods, as well as spicy-flavored products contribute to increased lactation:

• Carrots and radishes;
• Hazelnut (hazelnut);
• Anise;
• Caraway;
• Oregano;
• Rosehip.
• Leaf salad;
• Dill;
• Melissa;
• Fennel;
• Yarrow.

Decoctions, water infusions, juices and teas are prepared from the listed products. They need to be taken fresh, just brewed, infused or squeezed. This also includes tea collections enriched with lactogenic components.

Group IV. Supplements for lactation

Especially for women with hypogalactia, the Leovitnutrio company has developed dietary supplements, which include components of spicy-flavoring plants and bee waste products. Let's talk about the approbation of 2 main dietary supplements. The drugs were assigned to a group of women in labor. Apilactin was given to mothers with high risk factors for developing hypogalactia. Lactogon - women from the same group, included in the same group, but whose obstetric history was burdened.

• "Apilactin" is a preparation containing the already known Apilak (royal jelly of bees in combination with pollen). Of 100 women in labor who took Apilactin from the very first days of lactation, 80 successfully continued breastfeeding at home after discharge from the maternity ward.
• "Lactogon" is a preparation containing royal jelly and components of lactogenic spicy-flavoring crops used for medicinal purposes (oregano, nettle, ginger, carrot juice, dill). In 90 out of 100 mothers studied, active lactation continued after discharge from the maternity ward.

A contraindication to taking these drugs is only an individual intolerance to beekeeping products.

Group V. Complex vitamin and mineral preparations

With the ineffectiveness of all measures associated with taking drugs of groups I-IV, the doctor prescribes the treatment of hypogalactia with the use of medicines. In this case, one should find out the reason that caused this condition, and act, first of all, on it.

Medicines used to treat hypogalactia:

• Vitamin preparations;
• Preparations containing trace elements;
• Hormonal medicines;
• Calming (sedative) drugs.

Perhaps the doctor's appointment of homeopathic remedies and physiotherapy procedures.

The use of funds from various product groups that increase lactation

Let's emphasize the features of the listed products and medicines from various groups:

• Products of groups I and IV are indicated for women at risk of developing hypogalactia; are prescribed in the second half of pregnancy or from the very first days after the birth of the child and, accordingly, lactation.
• Group II products have particularly pronounced lactogenic properties. They are prescribed for women in labor with a low level of lactation in maternity wards, as well as for mothers during lactation crises.
• Group III products are designed to correct the diet during periods of lactation crises.
• Products of the V group are prescribed exclusively by the attending obstetrician-gynecologist at a personal medical appointment, individually, taking into account complaints and anamnesis.

What should you drink to lactate milk?

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

Freshly squeezed carrot juice

The carrot root crop should be washed with a brush and grated on the finest grater, squeeze the juice 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 (in the absence of allergies);
• Fruit, other vegetable or berry juice.

The number of additional components should not exceed 1-2 tablespoons in relation to 1 glass of juice. Otherwise, its lactogenic properties will be reduced. Should be taken in half a glass, 3 times a day.

Milk with finely grated carrots

Grate the carrots with the smallest cloth. Put the resulting puree in the amount of 3-4 tablespoons in a mug, glass or cup. Pour 200 ml of milk at a comfortable drinking temperature, 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, in the absence of 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 china dish. Add 1 glass of fresh boiling water and leave to infuse for 2-3 hours. You can improve the taste of the drink by adding one or two teaspoons of honey to 1 glass of liquid. Strain through cheesecloth. taking a drink: three times or twice a day, half a glass.

Cumin drink

This drink needs to be brewed. For cooking, you should take:

• Caraway seeds - 15 grams;
• Granulated sugar - 100 grams;
• 1 medium lemon (or 2 grams of citric acid).

Mix everything, pour 1 liter of water, put on fire. Boil with stirring, reduce heat and cook for five to ten minutes. Strain after removing from heat and leave to cool. taking a drink: three times or twice a day, half a glass.

Cumin drink with heavy cream

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

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

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

Caraway kvass

For cooking, take products:

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

Cut the bread into cubes or strips, dry and fry a little in a dry frying pan or on a baking sheet in the oven. Pour pieces of bread into a glass bottle, then pour in cool boiled water, remove for infusion for 3-4 hours at room temperature. Then take out the bottle, strain the infusion, and then add granulated sugar, caraway seeds and yeast. Remove 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 with 1 cup of fresh boiling water and leave to infuse 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 sip in the mouth for a few seconds.

Aniseed infusion

Pour 2 teaspoons of anise seeds with 1 cup of fresh boiling water. We insist for 1 hour, filter, cool. It should be taken half an hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner (three or four times a day), 2 tablespoons.

Herbal drink

Let's mix vegetable raw materials:

• Pounded anise fruits - 10 grams;
• Fennel fruit - 10 grams;
• Oregano herbs - 10 grams.

Take 1 teaspoon of the resulting collection, pour 1 glass of boiling water, let it brew for 2 hours, then strain. Should be taken half a glass 2 or 3 times a day.

Honey and radish juice

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

Mix ingredients:

• Radish juice - 100 grams;
• Boiled, chilled and slightly salted water - 100 grams;
• Natural honey - 1 tablespoon.

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

Products that increase milk lactation

For a sufficient level of breast milk production, a young mother needs to eat well. You should observe the required daily calorie intake of food, take a lot of fluids (up to 2 liters per day), consume the right amount of protein. Stimulating lactation is facilitated by a normal home-cooked diet.

The diet of a nursing mother should include soups, broths, cereal dairy and crumbly cereals, meat products, fresh fruits and vegetables, dishes from vegetables and cereals, dairy products. Food should be tasty and varied. It is recommended to drink milk, kefir, weak tea, including milk, natural juices, herbal and fruit decoctions, infusions, teas, compotes and jelly.

If a nursing mother follows all the principles of nutrition during breastfeeding, but milk is not produced enough, you should pay attention to individual products.

To increase you need to include in the diet:

• Soups based on meat and vegetable broths;
• Dairy products;
• Buckwheat, rice, oatmeal dishes;
• Greens, especially lettuce
• Fresh vegetables - carrots, pumpkin, radish, onion;
• Fresh fruits and dried fruits;
• Unrefined rice dishes;
• Black currant berries;
• Hazelnut;
• Fennel;
• Watermelons.

It is good to add seeds of anise, cumin, dill to soups and side dishes.

The meal should be supplemented with drinks that enhance lactation, for example:

• Herbal teas;
• Decoctions and infusions of lemon balm, oregano, rose hips;
• Ginger tea;
• Sea buckthorn tea.

What foods are prohibited?

In addition to the already mentioned allergenic products, during breastfeeding, one should refrain from those that inhibit milk production. Basically, these are herbs and leaves of medicinal plants.

In order for the lactation process to go smoothly, you need to give up the following herbs:

• Parsley, lingonberry, bearberry
• Sage
• All parts of peppermint and peppermint;
• Horsetail;
• White bloodroot;
• Jasmine leaf.

The 4 most effective folk remedies

Proven folk recipes that have been used by women for more than one generation will help to enhance lactation. We offer 4 effective products with a powerful lactogenic effect.

Black seed oil to increase lactation

Cumin, as mentioned above, is one of the potent lactogenic herbal remedies. Regular consumption of black seed oil promotes the formation of breast milk and its accumulation in the mammary glands.

Black cumin seeds can be used to make drinks that enhance lactation:

• Caraway tea: take 1 tablespoon of caraway seeds (crushed seeds), pour half a liter of boiling water. We insist for 10 minutes, filter and drink immediately, you can add milk, honey.
• Caraway infusion: put 1 tablespoon of caraway seeds (crushed seeds) in a thermos and pour 1 glass of fresh boiling water. Close the thermos, leave to infuse for 10-11-12 hours. Then we filter and take 2-3 tablespoons 5-6 times during the day.
• Caraway drink: take 1 tablespoon of caraway seeds (crushed seeds), pour into an enamel bowl and pour 1 liter of chilled boiled water. Add peeled and chopped lemon (can be replaced with 2 grams of citric acid), 100 grams of sugar. We put on low heat and cook with stirring for 10 minutes. We filter, cool and take half a glass 2 to 3 times a day.
• Cream with caraway seeds: pour 2 cups of cream into a ceramic bowl, add, stirring, 2 tablespoons of caraway seeds (crushed seeds), cover and put in the oven on low heat - for half an hour. We filter, cool. We take 1 glass - in the morning and in the evening.
• Caraway kvass: cut rye bread into pieces, dry and fry it a little, then pour 10 liters of boiled water. We insist for 3-4 hours, add 25 grams of baker's yeast, 1/2 kg of sugar and 2 tablespoons of caraway seeds to the liquid part. We put it in a warm place for 10-11-12 hours. Drink half a glass of ready-made caraway kvass twice a day.

Find out more: Benefits and Uses of Black Seed Oil

Nettle to increase lactation

Nettle decoction helps to increase the amount of breast milk. Cooking recipe: 1 tablespoon of chopped nettle leaves is poured with 100 ml of boiling water. Take 1 tablespoon three times a day.

Fennel for lactation

The active ingredients of fennel have a stimulating effect on the production of estrogens - female sex hormones. Estrogens, in turn, promote the production of the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for the production of breast milk by the mammary glands. In addition, fennel has a calming effect, which helps a woman to be in psychological balance. And thanks to the vasodilating property of fennel, blood rushes to the mammary glands. As a result, there is a free flow of milk. All factors together have a beneficial effect on increasing the lactation of a young mother.

Scientists have conducted research on goats and mice as test subjects. The results showed an effective increase in lactation from taking fennel preparations.

The International Association of Lactation Consultants studied the effect of fennel on lactation in a group of five lactating women. For 10 days, nursing mothers were given fennel infusion and then canceled. As a result, it turned out that while taking the infusion, the volume of milk produced in all five women increased, and after cancellation, it decreased after 3-5 days.

A similar study was carried out at the Moscow Center for Family Planning and Reproduction, but on 2 groups of women. The nursing mothers of the 1st group were given a natural preparation - tea with fennel from the HIPP company, the 2nd group was not given any supplements. In mothers from group 1, the frequency of feeding increased by 3.5 times, in group 2 - it did not change.

Fennel based recipes:

• Tea "Classic". Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1 tablespoon of fennel fruits, leave for 2-3 hours, filter. Cool and take 2 tablespoons before meals 3-4 times a day.
• Fennel in sour cream. Mix 1 tablespoon of fennel seeds with 1 glass of sour cream, put in a fireproof dish in the oven for an hour. Accepted warm, preferably at night.
• Milk fennel. Pour 2 tablespoons of chopped fennel seeds in warm milk. To improve the taste, the addition of a pinch of nutmeg or table salt is acceptable. We insist, filter. We accept it 10 minutes before breakfast. Instead of milk, you can use kefir or natural white yogurt.

Dill seeds to increase lactation

Dill has long been used as a means to enhance lactation.

• Preparation of dill infusion: take 1 tablespoon of chopped dill seeds, pour 1 glass of fresh boiling water. We insist for 2 hours, filter and accept. Or half a glass in the morning, half a glass in the evening; or so: 1 tablespoon each, but distribute into 6 receptions throughout the day.
• Infusion of seeds and herbs: take 1 tablespoon each: dill seeds and chopped dill greens. Pour the mixture with 2 cups of boiled water at room temperature and put in a water bath. Heat, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Then we cool, after which we filter. We take half a glass 3-4 times during the day.

Other recipes

• Grated carrots with milk and honey. Rub the medium carrots on a fine grater, pour a glass of fresh cow's milk or cream. We take 1 glass in the morning and in the evening. In the evening, add 2 teaspoons of honey to the drink.
• Herbal infusion. We take 1 teaspoon of chopped plant materials: fennel, anise seeds, oregano herb. Pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 2 hours, filter and take half a glass twice or three times a day.

Helpful tips on how to increase lactation

The establishment of lactation occurs by 3-4 months from the date of birth of the child. During the first time, the state of the mammary glands can change: they enlarge or seem “empty, change in size during the day. With the establishment of regular lactation, breast milk is produced by the mammary glands only during the period of breastfeeding.

It is important to know that the amount of breast milk produced by a nursing mother is directly related to the level of prolactin in her body. It is necessary to influence the volume of milk produced in the first months of feeding, when lactation has not yet been established. Here are some helpful tips for increasing lactation.

You need to feed the child at his request

In the old days, it was believed that a baby was needed strictly on schedule. Now this opinion has long been refuted. You need to feed your baby when he requires it. It happens that the baby wants to eat within 30 minutes after feeding, but it happens that he is calm and full for 6 hours.

You need to attach the baby to the breast often, you can feed it for a long time

When a baby sucks on the breast, the woman's body produces the hormones oxytocin and prolactin, which is responsible for milk production. Therefore, the longer the baby breastfeeds, the higher the mother's prolactin level. Consequently, the more milk the mammary glands will produce.

You can understand some mothers who complain about many hours of breastfeeding by the baby. It is not that the child is hungry, but often that he needs contact with the mother. Therefore, you can not forcibly tear the baby off the breast, no matter how long he would not want to suck it. Even if the baby is worried about something, he may feel the need to suckle at the breast. So the baby feels protected and calms down somewhat. Sometimes the baby can demand the mother's breast for 6-7 hours, then starting to suck, then just being near the breast. There is no need to worry about this, because such a child's behavior is the norm.

Be sure to feed your baby at night

Previously, it was considered normal for a child to observe the six-hour night break between feedings. Moms, of course, are calmer when the child sleeps all night. Sometimes moms try to "teach" the child not to eat at night. You shouldn't do that. Modern pediatricians and neonatologists advise feeding the child at night, if he asks. Some babies continue to wake up at night to feed for up to a year.

It is especially important to provide the child with night feeds, if he requires them, in the first months of his life. At this time, the mother's lactation process has not yet been established, and the production of prolactin is more active precisely at night. Consequently, night feeds stimulate the production of more milk.

Homeopathic remedies

There is no consensus on the benefits of homeopathic remedies. Evidence-based medicine has not been involved in the study of these drugs, so they are unpopular with doctors. However, taking it according to the instructions does not harm the body. Many mothers note a positive effect on lactation after using homeopathic medicines. This may be due to the placebo effect or the natural end of the lactation crisis. However, the fact of an increase in prolactin levels under the influence of these funds is not excluded.

Harm of cow's milk during lactation

Modern research confirms that there are no foods that affect prolactin levels. In particular, there is an opinion about the benefits of a large amount of cow's milk to increase lactation.

Let's name the reasons that reveal its fallacy:

• Taking cow's milk does not increase prolactin levels.
• There is no way cow's milk can be “processed” into human breast milk.
• The use of cow's milk in food can lead to an allergic reaction in the child.
• When the mother uses fatty cow's milk, fermented milk products, and especially in large quantities, the child may experience intestinal colic and persistent constipation.

Find out more: Cow and goat milk for children - why is it harmful and dangerous?

Mistakes of young mothers

There are 2 basic rules for a breastfeeding mother to remember:

• Do not set a feeding schedule;
• Do not give infant formula as a supplement.

Some mothers independently conclude that the child is hungry and "feed" him with milk formula. However, this is not only unnecessary, but also expedient. Moreover, it harms both the health of the baby and breastfeeding. Infant formula can cause severe painful colic and constipation in an infant with immature intestines. Formula milk tastes sweeter than breast milk, and formula is much easier to suck from a bottle than breast milk. Therefore, there is a great risk of losing lactation completely.

But besides these two mistakes, young mothers make a number of other mistakes:

1. Do not give water before complementary foods. If the child is breastfed, he does not need to give additional water until the first complementary foods are introduced. Many people mistakenly consider milk to be food for an infant, and he needs to be given some water as a drink. In fact, breast milk provides both nutritional and fluid needs. 80-90% of breast milk is water, therefore, you should not "drink" your baby even in the heat or when the surrounding air is dry. It will be much better if you attach the baby to the breast and thereby further stimulate lactation.
2. If a child is crying, this does not mean that he is hungry. Often, the crying of an infant is perceived solely as a signal of the need for food. However, a child may be worried about a lot of other reasons: wet diapers, various pains, cutting teeth. The kid can get scared, get bored, just wish to be with his mother. When a child cries in the evenings and at night, it is possible that he has increased intracranial pressure. There are many more reasons for crying in children, so one should not make an unambiguous conclusion “crying means hungry”.
3. Soft breasts are not a sign of a lack of milk. As we have already mentioned, milk production occurs directly at the time of feeding the baby. If the breast is not swollen by the time of the next feeding, it remains soft, this does not mean that it is "empty". On the contrary, this is a good sign, meaning that there is no milk stagnation in the milk ducts. This may also mean that lactation has been established.
4. About pumping. Expression is necessary only in case of milk stagnation - lactostasis. In other cases, this action is considered inappropriate. After the end of feeding, a portion of "rear" milk remains in the mammary glands, which has a high nutritional value. Expressing milk, mothers lose a useful part of the baby's diet. The best option would be to attach the baby to the breast additionally a little after feeding.
5. The old norms of weight gain have lost their relevance. Modern medical advances should not be written off. It is impractical to use old tables of weight gain and height by age. The "norms" used in them were applicable to children-"artificial", not to mention the fact that they were composed several decades ago, relying on the level of knowledge that is outdated today.
6. Say no to the pacifier. The pacifier is contrary to nature itself, which is designed to suck only the mother's breast. A dummy is used when the child is worried and crying, and the parents do not know what to do in this situation. It is necessary to find out the reason for crying, if necessary, consult a pediatrician. But the baby's sucking reflex needs to be satisfied only by latching on to the mother's breast. Needless to say, further weaning from the pacifier will cause a serious stressful situation in the child.
7. Do not rely on checkweighings. There is a method for determining the amount of milk eaten by a child - control weighing. The baby is put on the scales before feeding, then after. However, it should be borne in mind that not for every feeding the baby eats the same amount of milk. The daily allowance can be eaten mainly in the morning. Then the child can eat little and often. But if the mother sees that the child has eaten 10 grams two or three times in a row, this can cause serious panic, which is completely unfounded.
8. Do not introduce complementary foods early. You should not give your baby complementary foods until they are 6 months old. New food can only harm, because up to this age, enzymes are produced in the child's body that can only digest breast milk.

13 ways to boost lactation

Dr. Komarovsky on ways to improve lactation

The author of the article: Lapikova Valentina Vladimirovna | Gynecologist, reproductologist

Education: Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology received at the Russian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Healthcare and Social Development (2010). In 2013 completed postgraduate studies at N. N. N. I. Pirogova.