Pregnancy is a period when many doubts and concerns arise, especially for first-time mothers. Many women try to research and gather as much information as possible about their health and their baby’s health, and often also try to understand what are the best methods to make their child’s first moments of life as healthy as possible. One of the main concerns for pregnant women is undoubtedly about milk production. Most doubts revolve around the question of natural production and also what is the best diet for milk production. With that in mind, it’s good to take advantage of some natural tips on how to increase breast milk production in a healthy way.

Myths and Miracle Recipes

Although there are many myths and miracle recipes you can find on the internet, increasing breast milk production is not impossible, nor is it very difficult to achieve. Of course, it will depend on some factors such as the mother’s diet and habits, and it also requires some effort on her part. But if this is the woman’s goal, these methods are definitely worth it.

Questions About Breast Milk Production

To better understand how it is possible to increase breast milk production, we need to clarify some questions such as, for example:

  • Why Does Low Milk Production Happen?
  • Is the Baby Harmed by Low Milk Supply?
  • What Is the Best Way to Increase Breast Milk Production?

By clarifying these issues, we can better understand how breastfeeding works, the negative effects that a lack of it can bring, and how we can prevent these effects from happening to us. To do this, we will look at these issues one by one and understand how boosting breast milk production naturally can be the best option.

Why Does Low Milk Supply Happen?

First, we need to understand that low milk supply does not have just one cause and can happen for several reasons. Each one has a different influence on a woman’s body and can affect milk production in different ways. Some of the main factors are:

  • Previous Health Problems
  • Breast Surgery
  • Stress

Previous Health Problems

Certain problems such as thyroid issues, obesity, or diabetes can contribute to a woman producing less breast milk. This can often happen due to a delay in the body, which prevents the woman from producing a good amount of milk at the time the baby needs to be fed. The good news is that with the right treatment for these illnesses, breast milk production can increase, so the woman won’t need any other method to feed her baby.

Breast Surgery

Certain surgical procedures can directly affect a mother’s ability to produce milk. The main example of this is breast reduction surgery, which can remove part of the woman’s breast tissue, making her body lose the ability to produce more milk. This case is more delicate, as you can’t force the woman’s body to do more. What you can do is test how much milk is being produced and see if there’s a possibility to naturally increase production.

Stress

Stress is a great enemy for pregnant women, and it’s no different when it comes to breastfeeding. Although it’s proven that breastfeeding helps reduce stress, it can also cause milk production to decrease. The key to prevent this is to never stop breastfeeding and to maintain a good relationship with the baby’s feeding. This way, stress is naturally relieved and never becomes a major villain for breastfeeding.

Is the Baby Harmed by Low Milk Supply?

The obvious answer to this question is yes. But we also need to think about how the baby is affected and what to do to prevent it. Lack of milk can affect a child’s development, as they will have difficulty growing and gaining weight, which can hinder both physical and mental development. In addition, not drinking the necessary amount of milk can also result in dehydration, which is why it’s so important to know if the amount of milk being produced is enough for the baby to grow up healthy.

What Is the Best Way to Increase Milk Production?

Without a doubt, the best ways to increase breast milk production are natural, as they help the mother’s body without any external intervention, which also means there are no side effects. The main tips to make this happen are:

  • Good Relationship with the Baby
  • Healthy Diet
  • Stay Hydrated
  • Regularly Switch Sides While Breastfeeding
  • Rest

Good Relationship with the Baby

The connection between mother and baby occurs from the first touch, when, at birth, the baby looks for the mother’s milk. Offering the breast to the baby at that moment also acts as a signal for the body to start ramping up milk production. But maintaining this relationship is important. So a good tip is to always offer the breast whenever your baby wants and not to hesitate or delay breastfeeding. This way, your body will naturally produce the amount of milk your baby needs.

Healthy Diet

Diet directly affects milk production. So it’s clear that a balanced and proper diet will help women produce more, and with better quality. Avoiding fatty or heavy foods during this period is helpful so as not to put too much demand on the body. Certain types of foods, especially those high in water content, also help the body produce more milk. Which leads directly into the next topic.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking water more often than the normally recommended amount helps women produce more milk. Of course, this alone won’t solve low production, but it’s certainly a very influential factor that can really help.

Regularly Switch Sides While Breastfeeding

Another habit women should develop to avoid breastfeeding problems is to alternate breastfeeding sides. It’s important to switch sides three or more times during each feeding, primarily because this helps with suction, which is a natural way to signal the body to produce more milk. Additionally, switching sides also helps keep the baby focused so they feed properly.

Rest

Finally, it’s important to understand that, for a woman to produce quality milk, she needs to be well-rested. While we sleep, the body can function peacefully and, since most milk production takes place during this time, a tired woman will naturally produce less milk. Despite the large number of doubts about the breastfeeding process and low breast milk production, this is often a problem that can be overcome. Even so, since this is a crucial stage in a child’s development, we need to be constantly alert, even when the problem seems to have been solved. After all, you can never be too careful, especially when it comes to newborns. Also see: Breast Milk — From Collection to Pasteurization Photo: badarsk