Does Stress Dry Up Breast Milk?

A mother’s life is not easy at all, and anyone who thinks that motherhood is just a colorful dream is mistaken!! After the baby is born, in addition to all the worries about taking care of the baby, you need to face real life and with that come problems to solve, some quite stressful. But the big question is: does stress dry up breast milk? Myth or Truth? Since stress and the mother’s emotional state are completely connected, it can indeed reduce the amount of breast milk if you experience a lot of stress¹. But persisting with breastfeeding is a wonderful way to cope with low spirits and negative thoughts. In some cases of very high stress, breast milk may disappear.

If you are experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding, I have a suggestion: I recommend the possibility of scheduling a pre-consultation with a breastfeeding specialist, so you can receive personalized guidance suited to your needs and your baby. Click here to learn more!

After It Dries Up, Can Milk Come Back?

But the good news is that production does not dry up completely, preventing you from breastfeeding your baby. Persisting with breastfeeding will allow breast milk to return to normal. The production of breast milk depends entirely on the mother’s physical and emotional health. So, always try to drink plenty of liquids, rest whenever possible, eat properly², and breastfeed whenever your baby wants (on-demand feeding). Instead of giving up on breastfeeding, try to solve the situations that disturb your peace. If they are family problems, talk calmly to resolve them. If your stress is because of breastfeeding, take it easy, see your doctor or even a specialist who can give you advice to make this time easier. Some family members like moms, aunts, or grandmothers can also help relieve your discomforts and calm your fears. Don’t feel alone and always ask for help when you need it! No mother is born knowing how to do everything by herself.

Care During Breastfeeding

During breastfeeding, some precautions are important to help women have a healthier life and an enjoyable breastfeeding experience³. Here are some tips: Can you take birth control while breastfeeding? For women who are breastfeeding, the recommended pill is one suitable for this stage, which is progesterone-based. If you choose injectable contraceptives or other pill types, it is worth noting that they can be passed to the baby through breast milk. Can you go on a diet while breastfeeding? Yes, but don’t cut calories since your body needs a lot of nourishment for energy and to produce breast milk. You can start exercising and following a healthy breastfeeding diet after the 40-day postpartum recovery period. How long should a feeding session last? The length of time will vary for each baby. Usually, it’s 10 minutes on each breast. In the first months of life, it’s normal for sessions to take longer, but things will adjust as months go by. Breastfeeding offers incredible benefits for the baby. Breast milk is the most balanced and complete food, and best of all, it’s natural and free. It provides all the minerals and nutrients a baby needs.

How to Increase Breast Milk?

Breast milk depends entirely on the woman’s health and good nutrition, and it’s very common at some stage to think your milk is drying up or simply decreasing. In most cases, the reduction in production is closely linked to lack of stimulation, so here are a few tips to improve and increase your breast milk supply. Breast milk can be given in the baby’s first minutes of life, right after birth. In fact, this practice is recommended by some maternity hospitals to help stimulate breast milk production and to strengthen the mother-baby bond. The more the baby suckles, the more milk is produced. Proper Latch – A proper latch during breastfeeding makes all the difference. It’s important so the baby can feed properly, so the mother’s breast isn’t hurt, and so milk production is stimulated. Breastfeed on Demand – The more you breastfeed your baby, the more milk will be produced. For babies who go long intervals without feeding or whose mothers work outside the home, you can also express or stimulate milk production by hand or with a pump and store the milk. Rest Whenever Possible – To have healthy and enjoyable breastfeeding, women need to feel well too. Even though motherhood is a very tiring routine, it’s important to take breaks for rest, as this directly affects milk production. Empty One Breast Before Switching – During breastfeeding, let your baby fully empty one breast before offering the other side. This will ensure the breast produces just the right amount to feed your baby. Drink Water – Hydration plays a big role in breast milk production. The more hydrated you are, the more milk you can produce. Usually, women feel very thirsty during breastfeeding, so always keep a water bottle handy and drink plenty. Massages and Compresses – The female body is not a machine and may really need certain stimuli to get back on track. Some breast massages, as well as warm compresses, can help increase milk production by promoting vasodilation and the function of the mammary glands. Natural Remedies – Some tips work as natural remedies, such as teas. Mint tea is recommended to boost milk production, and so is canjica (a type of Brazilian corn pudding). How Can I Tell if I Have Enough Milk for My Baby? You’ll know you have enough milk when you see your baby satisfied after every feeding. Just because your breasts don’t leak milk like in the early days, when you needed breast pads, it doesn’t mean you don’t have enough to feed your baby. The female body, and breast milk production, adapts to meet the baby’s needs in just the right amount. So, the more the baby feeds, the more milk is produced. If the baby stops feeding or feeds less often, your milk production will decrease and may eventually dry up. During pediatric visits, your baby’s weight gain will show their development. If it’s found that your baby isn’t getting enough, the pediatrician will recommend ways to improve your diet and improve breastfeeding. Introducing formulas should be a last resort! Also read: Engorged Breasts – Now what? Photo: seeseehundhund