How to increase lactation while breastfeeding, Komarovsky on simple methods

Young mothers are not always well acquainted with the intricacies of breastfeeding, so they often encounter various difficulties that appear in the early or late stages of breastfeeding. Many women listen to the opinions of their mothers, grandmothers or girlfriends, but still, in order to get reliable information and really useful advice, many listen to the opinion of Dr. Komarovsky, who knows everything not only about children, but also about breastfeeding. In his releases, Komarovsky repeatedly raised the topic of breastfeeding, since this is actually an important topic, and almost every second mother encounters its problems.

Quite a lot is known about the benefits of breast milk, therefore, as Komarovsky assures, you need to breastfeed for as long as possible, and when problems with a deficiency of breast milk appear, you should not panic and switch the baby to formula, since in this way the woman risks losing milk altogether, and as we know, no mixture can replace its value. There are quite a few ways to increase or extend the lactation period, so the doctor advises not to give up, but to listen to the recommendations of specialists who will definitely tell you which method will help increase the amount of breast milk.

Mother's milk is very important in the first year of a child's life, since it is what allows the child to develop properly, protects the baby from many diseases, and is considered the basis of strong immunity. In addition, breastfeeding establishes a close bond between mother and baby. Dr. Komarovsky assures mothers in his broadcasts that the first feedings are considered the most important, during which the foundation for proper lactation is laid. If the baby is not applied correctly to the breast, there will be no proper stimulation of the nipples, so lactation will most likely be difficult in the future, and after a few weeks, completely impossible.

Dr. Komarovsky repeatedly gives useful advice to young mothers on breastfeeding, and even suggests effective methods for increasing lactation. Everyone's favorite doctor believes that in almost 80% of cases the problem of insufficient breast milk is a far-fetched problem for women themselves. Most women always feel like they don’t have enough milk and the baby remains hungry after feeding, so many start supplementing their babies with formula. Komarovsky believes that to stimulate breast milk, you need to put the baby to the breast as often as possible, even when, in the mother’s opinion, there is nothing there.

Experts in the field of pediatrics, like Dr. Komarovsky himself, do not recommend neglecting the lactation period and weaning the child from the breast at the first suspicion of insufficient milk supply. There are quite a few ways to increase lactation. Some of them are quite effective, time-tested and allow young mothers to establish lactation, thereby providing the baby with all the necessary substances for its healthy growth and development. Before considering ways to restore lactation, you need to know and determine the reasons that led to the lack of breast milk.

A natural product is better than a mixture

More and more mothers decide even before giving birth that they will definitely breastfeed their baby.
And this is the most valuable gift for a child, from birth to a year and a half. Breast milk is a unique product that simply has no equal in nature, and depriving a baby of all its nutritional value and benefits is somehow... unmaternal. There is no doubt that breast milk is the best nutrition for a baby. After all, it contains all the necessary components:

1. Essential amino acids, including the amino acid taurine. This substance is necessary for the maturation and normal development of the visual organs and nervous system. Albumin predominates in breast milk. These are proteins that are small in size and help digest larger proteins - casein.
2. Lymphocytes, phagocytes, lactoferin, lactoperoxidase, immunoglobulins, nucleotides, enzymes, and hormones.
3. Fatty polyunsaturated acids, including arachidonic, linolenic and linoleic. They ensure the stability of cell membranes. These components are necessary for the formation of mucous membranes and skin in newborn babies.
4. Vitamins D, K, E and A. These substances are necessary for the normal development and growth of the child’s body.
5. Phosphorus and calcium. They are necessary for the normal absorption of vitamin D, as well as for normal mineral metabolism. Thanks to these substances, the risk of developing rickets is reduced (more about rickets in infants{amp}gt;{amp}gt;{amp}gt;).
6. Beta-lactose. Promotes normal development of intestinal flora. This allows you to protect your baby from dysbacteriosis.

All of these substances are very important for a newborn baby. Infant formula does not allow you to fully saturate the baby’s body with useful components. If the amount of milk has sharply decreased, the problem should be solved immediately.

Only 2.8% of women are unable to feed a child with their own milk. And this is due to the physiological structure of their organs.

So how to increase lactation while breastfeeding?

What foods should you avoid?

In order for the lactation period to be complete and the food consumed to not harm the baby, a woman who is breastfeeding should avoid a number of foods, including:

1. Fatty meats.
2. Sausages and other smoked meats.
3. Canned food.
4. Eggs.
5. Chicken or meat broths.
6. Cow's milk.
7. Strong drinks (tea, coffee).
8. Alcohol.
9. Sweets: chocolate, cakes.

During breastfeeding, a woman should avoid fried and fatty foods, as well as drinking any alcohol, including low-alcohol drinks. Komarovsky informs young mothers that when breastfeeding they should avoid vegetables and fruits that have red skin or pulp. You need to be especially careful with fruits and berries: strawberries, raspberries, cranberries or citrus fruits. Such products have a lot of vitamin C and are strong allergens.

Despite all the prohibitions, Komarovsky believes that a woman during lactation can try almost all products in small quantities, but still says that it is better not to experiment until the baby is 6 months old!

Signs of low milk supply

Lactation is a complex process that requires some control. There are a number of factors that can affect the amount of milk produced by the mammary glands. How to determine its lack?

Here are some main signs:

1. Child's weight. If your child does not gain weight or gains less weight than normal, then you should think about it. The baby should regain its original weight two weeks after birth.
2. Number of urinations. You can tell by wet diapers or panties. If a child over 10 days old urinates less than 10 times in 24 hours, this is an alarming sign. Ideal if the number of urinations during the day is 12 or more.
3. Very rare stool in a baby can also be considered an indirect sign of a lack of breast milk.

When baby is hungry

1) The baby loses weight or gains it very little. It is no secret that in the first day after birth, the baby loses its original weight by about 200-300 grams. And two weeks later, on mother’s milk, he should make up for it. If not, you should think about it and be wary;

2) 12 wet diapers. The baby is approximately 10 days old and must pee 12 times a day or more. If the number of urinations is much less, he may not have enough breast milk;

3) Another indicator is rare stool. It also indicates that the child is not getting enough to eat.

In the first days of a baby’s life, there are usually no problems with lactation and feeding. Of course: after all, next to the young mother there is medical staff, answering all questions at any moment!

Nurses will help a woman pump out the breast, teach her how to put her baby to the breast correctly, and doctors will monitor how the mother’s milk comes in and explain how to prolong breastfeeding for a long time.

But upon returning home, the young mother will need to independently learn to guess the baby’s wishes, determine whether he is full, and for what reason he is crying.

You can determine whether your baby is hungry or not by the nature of his stool. If the baby receives enough milk, his stool becomes dark yellow in color, has a faint odor and a slightly watery consistency.

You can tell if your baby is hungry by looking at the stool!

The number of bowel movements in a well-fed child in the first months of life is up to 8 times a day. This is completely normal and confirms that your baby is getting enough breast milk.

If the frequency of stools has changed and the color has changed to brown, the baby needs more food. Just don’t rush to introduce baby formula for complementary feeding: usually, adjusting the mother’s diet leads to an increase in her milk supply.

The second surest indicator of your baby's satiety is the amount of his urine and its color. If the baby’s diaper is full every 3-4 hours and is heavy, and the absorbed discharge is light in color, the baby is most likely not experiencing malnutrition.

This sign is typical for a baby older than five days of age; before this time, the urine may have a dark color - this is normal, do not worry.

You can find out if your baby is getting enough milk by weighing him before and after each feeding. To do this, purchase special scales for newborns (you can rent them or buy them in a store).

Massage to improve lactation:

• Get on all fours, tilt your head down. Move around the room in this position until you get tired.
• Stand up straight. Spread your arms out to the sides, then cross them in front of you like scissors and spread them out again. Repeat the exercise up to 10 times, raising your arms higher with each swing, finally crossing them above your head.
• Sit cross-legged. Bend your elbows at chest level, placing your palms together and pointing your fingers up. Counting to 3, press your palms tightly together; on the count of 4, relax them without lowering your arms. Repeat 10 times.

Weigh your baby before and after each breastfeeding and note the difference. For 3-5 days, record the milk your child eats. A child aged one week should eat 30-50 ml of milk per feeding. By a month this norm reaches 100 ml.

Of course, each baby is individual: one may eat more milk, another – less. A weakened child will drink less milk than his strong counterpart who was born with a higher weight. Show your schedule to your pediatrician: he will determine whether your baby’s feeding rate needs adjustment and whether you are putting him to the breast correctly.

Whether the baby has enough milk can also be determined by how correctly he grasps the breast when feeding: the baby should wrap his lips around not only the nipple, but also the areola. With his mouth wide open, the child grabs the mammary gland and begins sucking movements, then there is a pause, during which the baby takes a sip of milk and closes his mouth. The longer the pause, the more milk the baby got.

How do you know if your breast milk is low?

Almost all nursing mothers have thought more than once about whether their baby has enough breast milk, whether the baby is full and how fatty it is. There are several ways to determine the quality and quantity of breast milk.

Doctors believe that if the baby does not have enough mother's milk, he will gain weight poorly and become restless and capricious. You can also notice the baby’s displeasure if he screams and gets angry during the feeding period, leaves the breast, and then takes it again. Komarovsky believes that this behavior of the baby may be a sign of colic, and not a deficiency of breast milk, so it is very important to determine the cause of the child’s displeasure. In order to find out whether a baby has enough mother's milk, you can monitor his behavior and also pay attention to the following situations.

1. You need to count the number of wet diapers. A baby who gets the right amount of milk per day will urinate 6 to 10 times a day. This experiment is best done on gauze diapers.
2. Monitor your baby's stool. In newborns, yellow stools are considered normal, and minor lumps of uninterrupted food may be present. The baby should have stool 1-3 times a day. Breast milk is a kind of laxative, so the frequency of stools can occasionally exceed 3 times.
3. Breast assessment before feeding. Before putting your baby to your breast, you need to feel how it is soft or hard. If there is enough milk, then the breasts will be tight, and after feeding they will be soft.
4. How does the baby behave during feeding? If the baby does not have enough milk, and he lets go of the breast, then “greedily” takes it again, it means there is not enough milk. When a baby spits up a cheesy mass after feeding, it means he has eaten heavily. If you regularly regurgitate, you should contact a neurologist or pediatrician.
5. Determine the fat content of milk. Mom can express a small amount of milk and leave it for 5 - 7 hours. After this time, the fat will come to the top. If breast milk is good, then fat should be at least 4% of the total milk.

With adequate nutrition, the child will gain weight well. So in the first 2 months of life, the baby should gain 150 - 200 g per week. By 6 months, the child should gain from 500 g to 1 kg per month. Komarovsky considers these indicators to be average, since everything depends on the individual characteristics of the baby.

If a woman is sure that her baby remains hungry after feeding or there is too little milk, she should definitely consult a pediatrician who will tell you how to increase lactation.

Basic principles of breastfeeding

To prevent lactation from decreasing, several basic principles of feeding should be followed:

• Within an hour after birth, the baby should be attached to the breast. This stimulates the production of colostrum and then milk.
• The baby should latch onto the breast correctly.

It is very important to teach him this. In one of the video lessons of the “Breastfeeding Secrets” course, you will learn how to properly breastfeed your baby and learn comfortable feeding positions.

If breast latch is not corrected, this will lead to poor breast stimulation, abrasions and cracks.

As a result, feeding will be painful. How to deal with cracks, read the article: Cracks in the nipples during feeding.

For a small child, a regimen is not needed. Put the clock in the far corner of the room, and apply the baby at his request. Frequent breastfeeding in the correct position helps increase milk production.

• The baby knows perfectly well how much milk he needs and when he is full. Therefore, do not limit feeding to a time frame.
• You should not refuse to put your baby to your breast at night. This allows you to increase lactation. Try to feed at least 3-4 times at night.
• It is not recommended to bottle feed your baby. The baby may refuse to breastfeed altogether. After all, sucking milk from it is more difficult than from a bottle.

These are the most important principles from which to start increasing breast milk production.

Remember how a house is built: first we lay a strong, solid, reliable foundation, and then build a beautiful house on it.

So it is here: you can increase the amount of breast milk by following the above breastfeeding rules. In addition, study the video course “Secrets of Breastfeeding” so that your milk comes in and your baby has enough of it.

What to do if a nursing mother loses milk?

Milk cannot disappear in one day, so if you have not had problems with feeding before, the baby is cheerful and cheerful, and is gaining weight - there is no need to be upset.

The milk supply may have decreased for psychological reasons or due to fatigue.

The attitude is important here: if you are confident in yourself, agree to go through all the difficulties just to continue breastfeeding your baby, you will be able to return lactation to normal.

If your baby constantly cries and makes quick movements while sucking, most likely he really doesn’t have enough milk! Do not panic! And don't stop feeding, especially at night. Try to feed the baby from both breasts: after he eats from one, offer the other.

Carry the child in your arms more often, focus only on the child. Entrust the care of the house to your loved ones. Don’t rush to bottle-feed your baby: once he recognizes the nipple, he is unlikely to latch on to the breast next time.

If your breast milk disappears, your doctor may advise you to take medications: for example, Apilak, which perfectly increases lactation. Also, with small amounts of breast milk, many mothers take the drug Leptaden.

To increase lactation, it would be useful for the mother to use dry milk formulas: “Femilak”, “Enfa-mama”, “Olympic” - they are designed specifically for nursing mothers, do not cause harm, and are gentle.

The Milky Way mixture has proven itself well. In addition to essential vitamins and soy protein, it contains galega herb extract, which will affect not only lactation, but also the baby’s intestines and relieve colic.

If the amount of milk in your breasts begins to decrease, try drinking teas for nursing mothers: for example, Hipp tea is designed to maintain normal lactation, alternating it with fruit juices and drinks (both fresh and store-bought), you won’t know. What is a "lactation crisis"? You can also add dietary supplements “Apilactin” or “Lactogon” to your regular diet.

Before I tell you how to increase lactation, let me remind you of the basic principles of breastfeeding that will help not reduce it.

• The first breastfeeding is in the first hour after birth. This “acquaintance” of the baby with the mother contributes to the appearance of the first delicious milk.
• Feeding on demand. Now most pediatricians are confident that feeding should not be done every two hours, but as soon as the baby asks for the breast. In addition, this will eliminate bottle feeding, which can completely “wean” the baby from the breast.
• No time restrictions. The baby himself knows when he has eaten, and therefore, even if he likes to “hang” on his chest for half an hour or even an hour, do not take the treat away from him.
• Be sure to feed at night. 3-4 night feedings will significantly increase lactation
• Don't forget about proper application! The baby’s hearty “meal” depends on it. The nipple should be grasped along with the areola. Then the baby will easily empty your breast, reaching the most delicious “hind” milk. By the way, this will protect you from mastitis and various seals.

To provide a newborn with a sufficient amount of mother's milk, a nursing woman must adhere to basic nutritional conditions at home.1. Eliminate the following foods from your diet:

• alcoholic and carbonated drinks;
• coffee and strong tea;
• chocolate products;
• any canned food;
• meat or fish without special heat treatment - sushi, ram, dried meat, kebabs;
• seafood - shrimp, mussels, crabs;
• unpasteurized milk, hard cheese, sour cream;
• smoked meats;
• mayonnaise and sauces with seasonings;
• hard-boiled eggs.

2. Eat dishes that enrich milk with vitamins and microelements that stimulate its production. These include:

• buckwheat or oatmeal with fruit;
• raw and boiled vegetables - onions, radishes, carrots, pumpkin;
• nuts – pine, walnuts and almonds; some experts recommend eating only a few kernels per day of one type of nut;
• waste products of bees - honey, royal jelly;
• black currant;
• nut milk – 2 tbsp. l. walnuts pour boiling milk in a thermos, take 1 tbsp. l. several times a day and monitor the baby’s reaction.

3. Stick to your drinking regime. You need to drink at least one and a half liters of liquid per day. However, milk soups or drinks are considered food and not drink. Lactation is enhanced by certain herbal decoctions or juices:

• green tea;
• fresh juices;
• dried fruit compote, or fresh fruit compote;
• fruit drinks from black currants, blueberries;
• herbal teas - from anise, cumin, oregano, dill, fennel, thyme, nettle;
• Dill water.

It is recommended to drink the drink warm about half an hour before feeding the baby. If it is difficult to drink such an amount of liquid, then you need to drink just one cup more than usual. This will be enough to increase lactation. If some foods were not previously familiar to you, introduce them into your diet one at a time to avoid your reaction or your baby’s possible allergies.

Products that increase lactation

Dr. Komarovsky recommends that young mothers pay attention to their diet before taking pills or folk remedies to improve lactation. The doctor believes that the mother’s correct diet and regular breastfeeding are one of the most effective ways to increase lactation.

The doctor advises women to adhere to a balanced diet, and also to ensure that their daily diet contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals. A woman should eat at least 4 times a day.

For normal lactation, a woman should drink a lot of liquid, but in the first months of a child’s life it is better to avoid cow’s milk and drink weak, sweet tea.

All food products must be steamed, baked, stewed or boiled. This way you can preserve the maximum amount of vitamins.

When choosing cereals, it is better to opt for whole grain porridges: buckwheat, oats, pearl barley, etc. The diet should also include cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, and kefir. In order to eliminate the deficiency of iodine, iron and calcium, it is worth including fish, seafood, and spinach in the diet.

Fiber is considered to be a fairly important element to stimulate breast milk, as well as folic acid: bananas, oranges, legumes, Brussels sprouts. As for sweets, you can choose marshmallows or halva.

Dr. Komarovsky believes that a woman’s menu during lactation should be varied, tasty and healthy. This will help not only satisfy the needs of the female body, but also increase the production of breast milk. Dr. Komarovsky has compiled an approximate menu for a woman who wants to increase lactation:

1. various soups and broths;
2. lean meats: beef, veal, poultry, rabbit, liver, fish;
3. dairy products: 1 glass of milk per day, also kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese, hard cheese, butter;
4. various cereals in soups and cereals;
5. vegetables: onions, carrots, pumpkin, radish, greens;
6. berries, fruits, dried fruits fresh or in the preparation of compotes, jelly;
7. teas: green and black with milk or with milk, teas from rose hips, sea buckthorn, dill, nettle.

All of the above food products will help not only increase lactation, but also provide the mother and baby with all the necessary components for healthy growth and development.

Apply even to “empty” breasts

If you initially organized feedings correctly, then everything will go like clockwork, and additional methods of increasing lactation may not be needed. Well, what to do if there is clearly not enough milk? Dr. Komarovsky advises continuing to put the baby to the breast, even if, in the mother’s opinion, it is “empty.”

But we are not enemies to our children, right? And we won't give up so easily. We will fight for delicious milk and do everything to keep it coming.

When considering means to increase lactation, it is necessary to say a few words about proper breastfeeding. After all, following a technique in which the feeding process is convenient for mother and baby does not lead to various troubles, for example, the appearance of cracks in the nipples, lactostasis and mastitis.

Often on the Internet, on resources dedicated to breastfeeding, you can find information that at the beginning of feeding the baby receives only “fore milk”, which is poorer in composition and fat content compared to “hind milk”. The authors of the articles indicate that in order for the baby to reach the “hind milk”, he must suckle at the breast for at least 20 minutes.

The manual on natural feeding of children, published by the Union of Pediatricians of the Russian Federation, states that “correct attachment to the breast and its grasp will ensure effective sucking and the free flow of not only “foremilk”, but also “late” milk into the child’s oral cavity.”

How to hold your baby correctly when breastfeeding? The manual on breastfeeding children (Union of Pediatricians of Russia) gives the following recommendations:

• You should sit or lie down comfortably and relax. It is advisable to sit in a low chair or place a bench under your feet.
• The baby's whole body is turned towards you, the baby's face is close to the chest, the nose is focused on the nipple.
• Support the child by the head and shoulders with one hand and the buttocks with the other.
• The baby's head should be level with his body (i.e., ears, shoulders and lower back form a straight line) and facing the chest.

How to ensure proper latch while breastfeeding? In order to ensure a full act of sucking and protect the nipple from damage and cracks, it is necessary that the baby grasps the breast correctly. The Union of Pediatricians of the Russian Federation gives the following recommendations on this matter:

• It is necessary that the child can grasp the nipple along with the areola (the nipple circle - the brown area around the nipple). With proper latching on the breast, the baby should form a “breast nipple” from the nipple and areola. The nipple will be only part (one third) of such a “nipple”
• To make latching easier, touch your nipple to your baby's upper lip.
• The baby's lower lip should be turned outwards and placed under the areola, not under the nipple, the chin should be pressed to the chest, the tongue should be pushed forward, taking a cupped shape
• With the correct grip, the baby's tongue will make pressing movements on the lacteal sinus (the place where milk accumulates) and irritate oxytocin receptors.

When it comes to how to increase lactation while breastfeeding at home, it is important to understand that ensuring proper attachment to the breast is of paramount importance to stimulate lactation and maintain natural feeding.

The comfort of a breastfeeding woman is of great importance to maintain long-term breastfeeding. Today, there are various devices that can make the life of a mother feeding a baby much easier.

A baby feeding pillow is a popular device that allows you to properly secure the baby at the breast and removes some of the load from the back of the nursing mother.

Nipple shields for breastfeeding are products in the shape of a nipple and nipple circle, made of silicone or latex. Their task is to facilitate feeding the baby when certain problems arise. For example, at the beginning of feeding, if the mother has very sensitive nipples, and the baby has not yet learned to latch onto the breast and constantly damages them.

It is important to remember that silicone feeding pads should not be considered as a means to enhance lactation. On the contrary, their frequent use can lead to a decrease in the amount of milk produced, since sucking does not fully stimulate the nipple and the area around it, which means the receptors that stimulate milk production are not irritated. In addition, when using pads, the breasts are not completely emptied, which can also lead to a decrease in lactation.

Nursing bra pads are a very useful accessory for breastfeeding women. They allow you to absorb the milk that flows from the breast in between feedings. In addition to helping protect your underwear and clothing from stains, the inserts also help keep your nipples dry. They help prevent the development of irritation and cracks in the nipples, through which infection can enter, and, therefore, help prevent mastitis.

Suitable clothing for feeding (gown, nightgown, shirt). The right choice of clothing is of great importance for a woman who is breastfeeding. It is very important that clothes are comfortable and do not restrict movement. It is necessary to pay attention to the material from which it is made - natural “breathable” fabrics (cotton, linen) are best suited.

Are there foods that increase lactation? In order for a woman to produce a sufficient amount of milk, the diet of a nursing mother must be structured in such a way that there is enough energy and nutrients both to meet the needs of her own body and to produce milk.

According to information provided by E.O. Komarovsky in the book “Handbook of Sensible Parents”, when breastfeeding until the child reaches 6 months of feeding, it is necessary to consume an additional 500 kcal, and after six months - 450 kcal per day. Also, proper nutrition during breastfeeding in the first 6 months of lactation requires an additional daily consumption of 40 g by the woman.

Thus, food for milk lactation is the consumption of foods that will give a woman energy and the necessary components for lactation. In addition, Dr. Komarovsky recommends avoiding foods that can spoil the taste of milk (salty, spicy, sour), as well as the smell of milk (spices, garlic) - the child may begin to refuse to latch on to the breast, which will negatively affect lactation.

In order to maintain milk production, especially if its formation is insufficient, Dr. Komarovsky recommends drinking tea to increase lactation (best regular green tea with milk) or dried fruit compote after each feeding. It is important that the volume of the drink is at least 300-500 ml.

Breast massage is often considered as a means to increase lactation. Its use, especially in combination with a warm shower, increases blood flow to the mammary gland, which activates metabolic processes, improves cell nutrition, which has a beneficial effect on the formation and separation of milk.

It is important to remember that the best means for lactation is stimulation of the mother’s nipples through the baby’s breastfeeding, combined with the right psychological attitude. Breast massage should be considered only as an additional remedy.

Conclusion

Various drinks

There are other ways to increase lactation. They cannot be classified as basic, but nevertheless they can provide temporary assistance to the body.

Start monitoring your drinking regime, drink at least two liters of liquid during the day. In this case, you should not take into account dairy soups and drinks. It is best to drink water or tea. So, how to increase lactation for a nursing mother with the help of drinks? Start drinking more drinks such as:

• green tea;
• compote made from fresh or dried fruits;
• tea made from herbs that increase lactation (anise, cumin, oregano, dill, and so on);
• fresh juices;
• carrot infusion;
• oatmeal broth;
• nut milk;
• blueberry or black currant juice.

Dill water is considered no less useful. This drink helps stimulate lactation and helps relieve constipation in the baby. All drinks must be warm, but not very hot.

Drink more clean water without gases.

How to make nut milk for lactation

Some girls try drinking nut milk during breastfeeding. This is called “milk” conventionally: the drink is made from nuts and water. This cocktail saturates the body, gives strength, and at the same time it is quite tasty. The drink is made like this:

1. You need to take your favorite nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts are good) in a ratio of 1:4, where one part is nuts and 4 parts are water. For example, half a glass of nuts and two glasses of water.
2. Blend the water and nuts in a blender at maximum power. The water will turn white and look like milk.
3. To remove solid particles from the “milk”, it can be passed through a sieve.

You can pre-soak the nuts overnight in water to help them grind better.

Diet, dietary supplements and grandmother's cumin

First, pay attention to what you eat. You are aware that your child eats all this too? Then why aren't you still on a diet? Now your diet should not include sausage, fried meat and chocolates, but healthy cereals, fruits, white fish, raw and boiled vegetables, nuts, honey, etc.

Drinking regime is no less important now, because milk is, first of all, a liquid. Be sure to drink not only fruit drinks, compotes and juices, but also plain water. Dill water should also be held in high esteem by you. It will enhance lactation and relieve the baby from colic and constipation.

In pharmacy chains for nursing there are many products that promote lactation. I personally really loved “Babushkino Lukoshko” tea. Teas and “Lactavit” are also praised. Although the “persecution” of dietary supplements has now begun, I will say a few words in support of them. Some of the supplements actually work and help increase your milk supply.

If you have already purchased one of the drugs, be sure to tell your gynecologist about it. He will tell you exactly whether it will be effective and whether it will not harm in your case.

And finally, about my grandmother’s recipes, or folk remedies. They came to us through decades, which means they should help and increase milk production.

· Take 2 tbsp. anise, dill and oregano. Pour a glass of boiling water over this herbal mixture and leave for 30 minutes. Then we will drink the cooled and strained infusion 1 tbsp. three times a day

· Grind a pinch of cumin (fruit) and mix with a glass of sour cream. We will boil this mixture for 3 minutes over low heat. We take it the same way, a tablespoon three times a day.

Pharmacy drugs

The pharmaceutical market offers a wide range of drugs that promise to increase lactation in a short time. Basically, such preparations contain natural components of plant or animal origin. Such products are produced in the form of tablets for internal use or herbal tea. The following means are considered the most common:

1. "Laktovit" - tea for lactation. Contains fennel, fennel, cumin, anise and nettle leaves. These tea components help improve blood circulation, stimulate digestion and the formation of breast milk. For proper use, you need to take 200 mil of boiling water, pour in 1 tea bag, leave for 10 minutes, add sugar or honey. The cost of tea per package is no more than 300 rubles.
2. Tablets "Mlekoin". Can be used for early or late hypolactia. The instructions for the drug recommend taking 5 tablets per dose 30 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 1 – 2 weeks.
3. Apilak is a dietary supplement that contains royal jelly. The use of the drug allows you to increase the amount of breast milk. It is recommended to take 1 tablet 3 times a day for 2 weeks.

1. Vitamin complexes for nursing mothers.

There are other medications that can increase lactation, but Dr. Komarovsky believes that before resorting to them, you need to try other methods: proper nutrition, massage or folk remedies.

Maybe go to the pharmacy?

How and with what to increase breast milk lactation using folk remedies? For many mothers, carrot juice helps increase the amount of breast milk.

Grate small carrots on a fine grater, squeeze through cheesecloth and take half a glass several times a day, after diluting the resulting juice with milk.

You can also add a few tablespoons of grated carrots to milk, add honey and consume 100 grams of this mixture 3 times a day.

Carrot juice increases lactation!

You can also make a healthy drink from anise seeds to increase lactation: pour a glass of boiling water over the seeds, wrap them in a towel and let it brew for several hours. Half an hour before meals, take the resulting decoction one tablespoon 3 times a day. You can prepare caraway infusion in the same way.

In late spring, juice from dandelion leaves improves lactation. Pass the young leaves of the plant through a meat grinder, squeeze through cheesecloth, salt the juice and let it brew for about an hour. Drink the resulting infusion 2 times a day, half a glass. To soften the bitterness, add a little sugar or a spoonful of honey to the drink.

An infusion of dill seeds also helps to increase lactation: brew them with a glass of boiling water, let it brew for 2 hours and use a tablespoon 6-8 times a day.

For a new mother, the main thing is to establish the process of natural feeding in the right way. We can say with confidence that your baby is eating properly and has enough milk if:

• The baby's diaper is full every 3-4 hours, the urine is light and odorless
• The baby defecates after every feeding. The color of his stool is dark yellow and the consistency is slightly watery.
• When feeding, the baby grasps the nipple along with the areola, makes confident sucking movements: mouth open - pause - mouth closed.

General recommendations for good lactation:

1. Sleep should be at least 10 hours a day - night and day.
2. Walks in the fresh air for at least 2 hours.
3. Frequent latching of the baby to the breast from birth (at least 10 times a day), with mandatory night feedings.
4. Good nutrition and increasing the volume of fluid consumed to 1.5-2 liters per day (this includes tea, soups, decoctions, milk, sour-milk products).
5. Shower-chest massage.
6. Drink hot green tea 30 minutes before feeding.
7. Take vitamins for nursing mothers.

To ensure that you always have a lot of breast milk, rest often and focus only on the baby. Entrust household chores to loved ones. Take your baby to your bed and be sure to feed him at night: this will perfectly stimulate milk production.

Eat right and drink enough fluids. If you start losing milk, don’t panic: be sure to consult your doctor.

Modern medicines, biological supplements, and folk methods of increasing lactation will definitely help you continue breastfeeding. Stay calm and confidently move towards your goal: feeding your baby only breast milk!

There are situations when proper and balanced nutrition does not allow increasing lactation. As a result, breastfeeding becomes much more difficult. In this case, you can add pharmaceuticals as a temporary measure. The most effective are:

1. Tea to increase lactation: “Babushkino Lukoshko”, “Hipp”, “Lactavit”.
2. Dietary supplements "Lactogon", "Apilak". They are made from milk-bearing herbs and royal jelly of bees. Many also recommend Femilak, which is a source of protein.
3. Vitamin complexes that are developed specifically for nursing mothers.
4. Homeopathic remedies that can not only increase, but also maintain lactation during constant stress and nervous tension. Such drugs include Pulsatill and Mlekoin.

Before taking any drug, you should seek advice from specialists. Do not forget that many drugs have a number of contraindications and can cause side effects.

If neither nutrition nor other stimulating actions lead to an increase in milk production, you can try to start this process with the help of certain pharmaceutical drugs.

1. Tea that increases lactation. If you read the ingredients, you will find only those herbs that are already familiar to you. You can later make teas for your baby from these herbs, but their content will be slightly lower.
2. Dietary supplements based on herbs that stimulate lactation and royal jelly of bees.
3. Vitamins for nursing mothers.
4. Homeopathic remedies. Their main purpose is to reduce stress levels, which interfere with the production of prolactin.

Any drug can cause side effects. Therefore, first consult with your pediatrician to see if your baby is gaining enough weight, and you will understand whether you need additional stimulation.

Traditional medicine advises preparing the following compositions from familiar components that have already been previously mentioned for the diet:

• Cumin with sour cream – 1 tsp. Crush the cumin fruits, pour into a glass of sour cream, and boil for three minutes. Use the product three times a day, one tablespoon at a time.
• Herbal infusion - 2 tbsp. l. Pour the fruits of dill, oregano, anise into a bowl, add 200 ml of boiling water. Leave for 30 minutes. It is worth taking the product 2-3 times a day, one tablespoon at a time.

You can overcome all difficulties. The desire to give the child maternal warmth and care will help to establish breastfeeding. Do not rush to switch to formula, because the baby’s digestive system is now developing and needs mother’s milk. If you can’t figure it out on your own, contact a lactation consultant. We wish your baby to grow up healthy!

AnyutaA79: I have a serious problem with lactation! My baby is only 3.5 months old, but I have started to let him down... For the last week there has been very little milk - 80-120 ml. In search of a solution to this problem, I first turned to the Internet and looked for products to increase lactation! And I came across one of our domestic products, “Milky Way,” which, as they say, is intended just for this!

Young lady Anyuta: Lactavit and calming my nerves by reading manuals on breastfeeding, including those on Sibmama, helped me.

Nusha: When I went back to work and the anxiety increased, I took homeopathy - I think it was called Mlekovit.

Belena: I drank Mlekoin - it still helps me a lot, and also Lactavit tea.

Marita: Maybe it will help someone - I drank Apilak (it contains royal jelly). I also found “Babushkino Lukoshko” tea, it says that it is for increasing lactation. It contains a bunch of different useful herbs, it seems to help!

Zum-zum: Nursing mothers have so-called milk crises in the first and third months, when there is not enough milk. The most important thing is not to rush to switch your baby to formula. I was in such a situation, the doctor advised me to take Apilak tablets, they increase lactation. I didn’t believe it at first, but I tried it. Effective. Now there is no such problem.

Okio: For me, as probably for everyone, lactation crises happen with a certain frequency. When this happens, I use a whole recovery complex:

1. I take Apilak tablets
2. Tea Laktovit or Vitamin-lactation tea No. 8
3. I drink large quantities of hot tea with milk (more than 15 mugs, for sure)
4. I include butter, cheese, and most importantly, walnuts in my diet.
5. I put the baby to the breast more often
6. I take a hot shower.

I don’t know which of this list is more effective, but everything together helps well.

Svetych: I liked Humana, but BL is also praised. I also massaged my breasts in the shower with warm water every evening. The child was constantly attached. And I also tried to go for walks in the evenings. For some reason this helped me. So try everything. It should definitely work.

TrueLady: I ​​came here specifically to share a product that helped me. We are now almost 6 months old, we have been supplementing with formula since a month. At the very beginning, night feedings and teas improved the situation a little (I tried Lukoshko and Hipp). Beer has an effect, it’s true, but it’s not the best option. For the last month I have been drinking Apilak on the advice of a friend, there is really a lot of milk, no additional feeding is required, if we add well, I will give up formula, although my other friend was not particularly delighted.

Sky_belka: I drank tea more to calm down. Probably the only positive effect is that the herbs in such teas are sedative, relieve tension, which means the milk will flow better. But it is unrealistic to increase milk production with tea.

Estelle: I also drank lactogonic teas, and Hipp, and Laktogon, and some others, I don’t remember anymore, in short, everything that I saw in pharmacies, but there was no effect from them. I actually sat and listened to myself: well? Well, when? When will it start working? But I persistently drank them, it is important to me that I am taking some steps to increase lactation, and not just suffer because there is not enough milk. The tea, I think, only played a sedative role.

Two hormones are responsible for lactation: prolactin (it regulates milk production) and oxytocin (it is responsible for its separation; if there is a deficiency, there is milk, but the ducts of the mammary gland and the outflow of milk are difficult). There are no pharmaceuticals that can accurately regulate the amount of these hormones, but a number of drugs (for example, some antiemetics) have a side effect that is precisely an increase in the amount of prolactin.

Reviews

Svetlana Kireeva, 26 years old, Crimea

My child is now 1 year and 10 months old. I am still breastfeeding, although initially there were minor problems. Around 8 months, my dad died and, probably, due to the stress I suffered, my milk practically disappeared. I was very worried because I understand how beneficial it is for the baby. I contacted my local pediatrician and also tried to find a good way on the Internet. The doctor prescribed me to take Apilak tablets for 10 days, 1 tablet at a time, also recommended lactogenic teas, bought Hipp Natal, drank a lot of liquids. Initially there was no effect, but after 5 days I noticeably felt milk build-up. I started latching on to the baby almost every 2 hours, or even more often. In general, within 10 days I was able to completely restore lactation. I’m very pleased that I was able to return to breastfeeding, but now the problem is different - I want to wean off the breast little by little, but I don’t know how!

Katerina Serova, 23 years old, Moscow

When my daughter was 6 months old, my breast milk supply noticeably decreased. My daughter was constantly nervous about this, had trouble falling asleep, and woke up often. My mother advised me not to panic and try to put my daughter to the breast as often as possible, and also forced me to drink more than 2 liters of fluid a day. After 2 days, milk began to appear, my daughter was happy and full. Then I read somewhere on one forum that at 3 and 6 months a crisis can occur when the amount of milk decreases by half and you need to do everything possible and impossible not to miss the moment!

Kristina Zvereva, 30 years old. Sverdlovsk

I am a mother of 3 children and, to my great happiness, I breastfed all of them for more than a year. I encountered problems with breastfeeding more than once, but I fed my children not by the hour, but by their demand. I can say with confidence that the more you put your baby to the breast, the more milk there will be. An important point is to express milk after feeding. I repeatedly increased lactation with Apilak tablets, but did not notice any significant changes after taking them. I recently watched an episode of Komarovsky, where he said that if a woman wants to continue breastfeeding as much as possible, she needs to breastfeed more often. I'm very glad that I did everything right!

Olga Mikhailova, 28 years old, Kyiv

When my daughter was 4 months old, I caught a cold and stopped breastfeeding for the period of treatment. Initially, I expressed milk, but then I noticed that it often became much less. I fed the baby formula for about 2 weeks, but after treatment I wanted to restore lactation. I suffered terribly, tried everything possible and impossible, and when the first milk appeared, my daughter flatly refused to breastfeed. She breastfed a little only at night, and in the morning she ate formula, so we made it to 7 months. Then I no longer insisted, I started introducing complementary foods and spoon-feeding her. It’s a shame that I didn’t have enough food, but my mother says that the most important are 6 months!

Maria Mironova, 23 years old, Sevastopol

I encountered a shortage of breast milk too little, just two weeks after the birth of my son. I was very scared because I thought that I could feed the little one for as long as possible. I ran to the doctor, they prescribed me to drink Lactogon, they also advised me to put the baby to the breast more often, drink a lot of milk and tea, eat halva and porridge. I followed all the recommendations and after 4 days more and more milk began to appear. Now there is so much ego that we have to express it and freeze it! I am very pleased that I was able to regulate lactation. My son is now 5 months old, gaining weight well, a strong and healthy baby!

Margarita Kotova, 25 years old, Krasnodar

I decided that I would breastfeed the child long before his birth, but it turned out that not everything was so simple. My daughter was born prematurely, the doctor said that she only needed breastfeeding. For the first 3 months everything went well, but then I noticed that the baby got angry and screamed when she ate. I went to the doctor, he prescribed me to take Apilak and drink a lot, and also put my daughter to my chest every hour. Following all his advice and recommendations, I got a lot more milk! Now my baby is 2 years old, and I still breastfeed her before bed! Mom says that’s enough, but I think if it’s there and my daughter wants it, then why not!

Laziness ruins lactation

Well, I’m sure my advice helped you, and even the mothers who had already despaired of getting breastfeeding perked up a little. Do not forget the words of Komarovsky, remember that lactation must be constantly stimulated. The best stimulant is your baby. Put it to your chest more often, don’t be lazy, and your little one will always be full, happy and healthy.

Have more delicious milk! Don't forget to check out our cozy forum, perhaps you can give inexperienced mothers some good advice and support them. Well, I have to say goodbye to you for a while, I promise to return soon with a new topic.

Advice from Dr. Komarovsky

The famous Ukrainian pediatrician Evgeniy Komarovsky often makes reference to WHO recommendations, and holds a similar opinion regarding the nutrition of nursing mothers. Nutrition should be varied, nutritious and healthy. According to Komarovsky, you should not adhere to a strict diet, but it makes sense to limit too fatty foods and hot spices such as garlic, onions, because. they can degrade the taste of the milk.

Doctor Komarovsky about breastfeeding - video