Breast milk is known as the most natural food for newborn babies since it contains the best and most complete nutrition. It has loads of nutrients and in fact, experts have not identified all of them yet. It is highly recommended by doctors for mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first six months and continue for a year or two. According to research, this can increase the child’s resistance to sickness and disease. Nevertheless, whatever quantity of breast milk you can give your child is still somehow beneficial.
For the most part, mothers find breastfeeding as a rewarding and nurturing moment with baby that will be cherished forever. However, not all moms have the same experience especially those who faced disappointment and feelings of failure because of shortage of milk supply or total inability to breastfeed. The first few days of breastfeeding are generally exhausting and needs a lot of time getting used to. Unfortunately, tiredness and stress also causes the body to produce less milk. It usually takes a month before a first-time mom could feel at ease when breastfeeding her baby.
A mother’s ability to produce milk or better known as lactation, is affected by a number of hormones generated by the body.
During pregnancy, the body produces increased levels of progesterone and estrogen that prevents the production of milk. Once the baby comes out, the amount of estrogen and progesterone decline and the hormone prolactin increases. Prolactin stimulates the breast to produce milk. The suckling of the baby on the mother’s breast encourages the release of oxytocin. It is needed by the mother’s body to make milk and serves as fuel for the breasts to eject milk.
For a successful breastfeeding experience, try the following:
1. Start as soon as you give birth.
At this time, the milk you produce is teeming with nutrients and antioxidants that make your baby healthier and less prone to sickness and disease. Nurse every time your baby shows that he or she is hungry. This could go for up to twelve times or more within 24 hours.
2. Seek help from a professional.
Nurses and midwives have the proper training on how to breastfeed and new mothers like you can ask them for help just to get you on the right track. They can also give you advice on natural health care during breastfeeding.
3. Create your own breastfeeding comfort zone and get enough rest.
Find the best position for you to nurse your baby wherein you won’t need to exert too much effort or end up straining your back and cramping your legs. A comfortable chair, footstool, pillow and a bottle of water within your reach is a big help. Lastly, find the time to recharge whenever your baby goes to sleep.
4. Use natural herbs to increase breast milk production and soothe other minor discomfort caused by breastfeeding.
Herbs have long been used by mothers to encourage the body to produce a good supply of breast milk. A lot of these herbs are not safe to take during pregnancy because some are known to cause the uterine to contract and result to miscarriage. After birth, herbs can now be included in a mother’s diet. As soon as you are done with the breastfeeding phase, these herbs can also help your system lessen the milk supply and finally purge it. The following are the most common herbal remedies to ease breastfeeding problems:
• Fennel – helps increase the flow of milk and ease troubles in digestion post-partum. You can mix the seeds into your food, take them in capsule form (400-500 milligram per day), or use them to brew a cup of tea every day (2 to 3 tsps of crushed seeds boiled for 10-15 minutes in ¼ liter hot water).
• Aniseed – its anethole component promotes secretion of prolactin. It’s also good for digestion. Drink it as tea by boiling 2-3 teaspoons of crushed aniseeds in ¼ liter of hot water for about fifteen minutes.
• Aloe Vera – Its gel is an effective moisturizer that prevents skin dryness and cracking. Make sure that you air dry your nipples after nursing then you can apply some aloe vera gel on them.
5. Eat and drink well and be cautious in taking medicine.
Keeping a healthy diet and drinking lots of liquids can help increase breast milk production. It will also help you recover the strength lost during childbirth. Be careful in taking any medicine because anything you consume while breastfeeding can be passed on to your baby.
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