Being a mother can be the best experience that any woman can ever have. After spending 9 months carrying this bundle of joy, now it is here in your hands. You look at your baby and s/he looks right back at you. Full of adoration. How exciting can that be? Wait a minute. They say babies don’t come with manuals, don’t they? There are plenty of challenges that come with babies. Breastfeeding is just one of those things that can present challenges for all mothers. Sometimes there is not sufficient milk production in mothers due to which they are unable to adequately nourish their baby. Breast milk is essential for the newborn baby as it comprises all the adequate nutrients for the growth and development of the baby. It is very significant for the improvement of the brain in a child. When this happens there is a need to consider alternative ways of ensuring that the baby continues to receive adequate nourishment.
In this article, I am going to highlight some of the causes of reduced breast milk supply as well as review some supplements that can help increase mum’s breast milk production.
Why Breast Milk May Drop?
All mothers start making colostrum during pregnancy. Colostrum is the impeccable food in the perfect quantity for newborns. Newborn babies eat small quantities frequently, 8 to 12 times per day, about a teaspoon to a tablespoon per feeding. So, as long as baby’s receiving that amount in the first few days, we know baby’s getting adequate nutrients. There are many causes for low breast milk supply; some of them are avoidable.
Milk demand-and-supply system
A mother’s milk supply works on a demand-and-supply system. So, there is a need for the demand for your body to make that milk supply. Feeding your newborn baby with Feeding formula in the first few days can create missed feedings, and those missed feedings tell your body not to make more milk.
Avoid Using a pacifier too early
I recommend waiting at least three weeks to use a pacifier because they create missed feedings and may contribute to low breast milk supply. Some mothers use pacifiers to train the baby to sleep through the night. I am of the view that encouraging baby to sleep through the night, or not waking them up during the night to feed, will cause you to miss feedings and effectively impact the breast milk supply and demand system.
Not latching deeply so that baby doesn’t transfer milk well may also create low milk supply because you’re not emptying your breasts, so your breasts are not making more milk to replace it.
Cold and allergy medicine that has pseudoephedrine has been shown to decrease milk supply. So, if you need a cold medicine or allergy medicine in your early days of breastfeeding, just look for a type that does not have pseudoephedrine.
So, at your six-week postpartum visit with your doctor, you’ll likely be talking about birth control. Your obstetrician must know that you are breastfeeding so that you can choose a birth control method that is low in estrogen and higher in progesterone. the mini-pill, the Depo-Provera, the Mirena IUD, are all excellent choices available because research has shown that they have minimal effects on your breast milk production.
Newborn babies who are tongue-tied may have problems with transferring milk well and latching deeply. If you’re concerned about slow weight gain, please talk to your pediatrician about having that assessed and seeing if they can release the tongue so that it can latch deeper.
Insufficient glandular tissue (IGT) is a very rare condition that can be caused by a few genetic or medical conditions. Most moms see a cup size or so in an increase during their pregnancy. If you don’t notice any breast changes, this may be the cause for you. IGT is known to cause low or no breast milk production. The best way to know how much breast milk is going into your baby is how much comes out of your baby. So, six to eight wet diapers per day and two to three poops are what you should expect for your baby in the first few days.
Ways to Increase Your Breast Milk Supply
Logically, the best way to increase your milk supply is to breastfeed consistently, exclusively on demand. Increase breastfeeding, and you can increase pumping after each breastfeeding to add more demand to make more supply.
Another way is with foods and lactation supplements that can increase milk supply and has been known to work effectively for about 50% of women.
Safety of Lactation Supplements
There is a common public error of trusting that so-called “natural” elements cannot be detrimental. In actual fact, natural supplements and other herbal products can activate contrary reactions in certain people. Moreover, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) place such products and supplements in the class of dietary supplements; thus they are not as firmly structured as medications. That’s an additional cause why users must exercise caution and often encouraged to seek medical guidance before use.
How to choose the best breastfeeding supplements
The primary thing you require to do before formerly adding any lactation supplements to your breastfeeding routine is to show your consultant the supplement you plan to take so they can discuss if they are safe for breastfeeding. They’ll be capable of analyzing the item list and your medical history to see if the supplement may contain an item you should exclude. For example, people who are sensitive to peanuts should avoid fenugreek.
Look at the other properties of the elements you’re in view of taking. If you need somewhat to upsurge milk supply, find out a supplement with fenugreek and fennel. If you’re suffering from anemia, think through nettle for its excessive amount of iron. You also need to make sure that you’re receiving a quality product at an affordable price.
Some mothers desire to take their lactation supplements in capsule form because there’s no need for taste-enhancing ingredients. Lactation supplements that are intended to be consumed or drunk as tea often comprise constituents that are just for the taste or to cover the taste of some of the unpleasant herbs.
There are several lactation supplements for increasing lactation, which is modest to use and are pretty harmless to be tried. Some of the best lactation supplements for increase lactation which have been commonly used for a very long time and have substantiated to be pretty effective in many cases are listed below:
This munificent herbal supplement is developed for lactation to support the mother with milk supply. The supplement is made with potent plant-based constituents like fenugreek seed powder, milk thistle extract, blessed thistle powder, fennel seed powder, goats rue powder and anise seed powder. Pink Stork helps mothers with milk production; this herbal combination can help increase milk supply.
Think through trying Pink Stork lactation supplement, if your baby doesn’t appear to love the flavour of your milk. The herbs combination comprises some that can make sweeter the flavour of your breast milk, which may charm to some babies.
New Chapter Vitamin will benefit you as you care for your new baby. It offers a 3-in-1 formula — multivitamin, multimineral and multiherbal probiotic-fermented formula. The supplement is prepared particularly to give busy mothers reliable nutritional sustenance, as well as lactation support for nursing mothers.
You’ll get numerous herbs, like chamomile, lemon balm, cardamom, lavender, and multiple minerals. It’s useful in fighting the upset stomachs because of fermented probiotics added to the combination.
Mommy Knows Best Lactation Supplement is a veggie pill comprising beneficial herbs, meant to increase your milk supply rapidly. The supplement can be attractive to mothers who don’t want to use too many active constituents to startup their milk supply. The mixture is prepared with thistle herb blessed, fenugreek seed, fennel seeds plus DHA for well brain growth.
The pills are vegetarian pleasant, which is always countless for those who value meanness free options. This item for consumption does not contain wheat, gluten milk, egg, tree nuts, and peanuts.
UpSpring Milkflow Drinkable Lactation Supplement helps encourage well breast milk supply. This supplement comprises beetroot, fenugreek, anise, blessed thistle, and carrot seed. Its berry-flavoured make the entire combination more pleasant. It also helps to breastfeed mothers to remain hydrated, because you have to add water. You can mix it with juice instead to give a better taste. This supplement is natural, gluten-free, and appropriate for vegans.
Lactation counsellors suggest the UpSpring Milkflow. You only need to consume 1 pack per day, which may be an immense assistance to women who don’t want to recall to take supplements numerous times per day. On the other hand, if you don’t see an adequate enhancement with 1 pack, you can consume more after a while, though you shouldn’t take more than 3 per day.
Boost Milk Enhancer helps mothers in milk production by stimulating the development of new cells in the glands of human milk, similar to growth when breasts are generated for the 1st time. Boost Milk Enhancer may help maintain the appropriate levels of the hormones that regulate milk secretion. The supplement states that with the accurate dosage, the breast size of women rises to 3 cups.
It contains natural and safe ingredients like basil extract, Silybum marianum extract, artichoke extract, fenugreek seeds extract and gelatin. This mixture makes easy production of milk within three days. The Boost Milk Enhancer tablets are easy to swallow.
The number one piece of guidance is to believe your body. Not all mothers are similar, and not all experiences are alike. Some may get engorged in the first few weeks, and some may not. Some may have an excess supply in the first few weeks; some may not. Some may have a feeling of letdown, and some may not.
We know that almost all newborns have valuable time. We understand that all babies go through growth spurts and appear to do nothing but eat. This is not a sign that you don’t have a decent milk supply.
I hope you find this article helpful. If you have information that you wish to find on Australian Lactation Consultants Directory please let us know here.
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Disclaimer: Please note this article is for general information purposes only. What we suggest should not be taken as a prescription or medical advice. Please consult a medical professional before using any of these products.
