After giving birth, a woman sees herself as a new person, and offering her breast to her child seems to bring the best of feelings, but many doubts can arise during this breastfeeding phase, including how to increase breast milk. Some women find it easier to produce initial milk than others, but know that all, all women can indeed breastfeed and any difficulties that may appear can disappear with practice and, most valuable of all tips, the guidance of a professional in the field. Women often wonder if their milk is enough, if their milk is weak, if they will manage to breastfeed… So, let’s now move on to tips on how to increase breast milk for proper breastfeeding, both for mom and especially for baby.

One tip I give is to seek out a breastfeeding consultant: I suggest considering a pre-consultation with a breastfeeding specialist, to receive personalized guidance tailored to your needs and your baby’s. Click here to learn more!

First of all, we must know that there is no such thing as weak milk; every woman produces the right milk for her baby1. What happens is that, in the beginning, breast milk can seem more watery and this gives mothers the wrong impression. Milk has three stages initially:

  • Colostrum
  • Milk that quenches thirst
  • Milk rich in fats

Colostrum is the very first breast milk, produced right when the baby is born2. It is very rich in antibodies for the baby and is essential, as the newborn comes into the world with very low immunity. In addition to the vaccines that the mother took during pregnancy, the baby is basically born without any antibodies for diseases that are dreaded or common outside the mother’s belly. Breast milk actually provides both nourishment and protection for the baby.

After the colostrum, when the milk really comes in, comes the more watery milk called transitional milk. This first milk fills the mother’s breast and, in its initial stage, is the milk that quenches the baby’s thirst and is very rich in vitamins. At the back of the mammary glands is the fattiest milk. This is what actually helps the baby gain weight. It contains a vast array of vitamins and nutrients essential for the baby and should definitely be offered.

So, the correct way to offer the breast and also to help increase breast milk is to feed from one breast at a time. The baby nurses and completely empties one breast and, if still wanting more, the mother can offer the other breast. Completely emptying the breast can greatly help breast milk to be produced in greater quantity, as well as suit the amount the baby nurses each time. The same tip to empty the breast goes for women with a high milk supply. Pumping between feedings can help a lot, and the extra milk can be stored in sterilized glass containers for future feedings or even for donating human breast milk.

Breast shells can also help stimulate breast milk production. These can be worn all day, and any milk that is collected can be reused safely. Pumps are also great options for helping stimulate breast milk production,

To help increase breast milk, hydration is essential

Water, natural juices, coconut water… these provide the essential hydration for your body to have the raw materials to increase breast milk for feedings. Drinking liquids especially in the first days after childbirth is the best way to ensure that breast milk appears quickly3.

The ideal amount of hydration during breastfeeding is at least 2.5 liters of water daily, which can alternate between water, natural juice, and teas that are allowed during this phase (such as fennel, chamomile, anise, and lemon balm). Babies are born with the instinct to suck, so offer your breast and let your baby suck as much as they want—this also encourages milk to come in. Another precious breastfeeding tip is the nipple latch. The nipple and areola should be entirely inside the baby’s mouth. If the baby’s mouth covers most of the areola, the latch is correct. Don’t let the baby suck only the nipple; besides not getting the necessary breast milk, it will hurt the mother. The glands with the most milk are the lower ones, which is why latching onto the areola is so important.

In our grandmothers’ time, people used to say that chicken soup, hominy, and the like would work, but there is no scientific evidence that these methods are effective. For women who do not have an ideal milk supply, in addition to practicing all the tips on how to increase breast milk, you should seek your obstetrician because there are medications based on prolactin and also oxytocin, which can help increase milk production and facilitate milk letdown. However, these medications must be prescribed by a doctor so there can be control and guidance on how, when, and how to use them. A good tip you might receive in maternity is the use of Plasil (for nausea and dizziness), which can also help at the initial stage of milk production—again, always under medical prescription.

The woman must remember that the start of breastfeeding is a phase of adaptation, like every new stage in life. Being calm and patient, knowing that everything will work out, is very important so that one of the most important moments in a woman’s life is as pleasant and rewarding as possible. That’s why a calm environment also helps a lot with early breastfeeding, and it’s a good tip for how to increase breast milk. All women are able to produce milk; you just need to know how to stimulate it properly, and, in any case of doubt, the guidance of a professional can really help with breastfeeding.

“Breast milk is love, it is giving a part of yourself with each feeding, and there is no greater moment of closeness in this world than the gaze between mother and baby while nursing.”

 

See also: Breastfeeding – Initial Difficulties and Solutions

Photo: Flávio Correia Lima