Breastfeeding: What to do to really increase milk production

One of the biggest insecurities of every new breastfeeding mother is the amount of milk produced. “Is it enough for the baby?”, “What if it’s not enough and he/she is not well nourished?” are some of the questions that most revolve in the minds of nursing mothers. And, even if the baby’s weight and length curves are within the range expected by pediatricians, at some point the desire to increase milk production will come.

That’s when a big problem can arise: influenced by suggestions from mothers, friends or even strangers, many end up resorting to methods that are not recommended, such as drinking alcoholic beverages (the old story that dark beer increases milk production is a myth and can harm the baby’s body). baby, as he will ingest alcohol through the milk) or medications that have other purposes – such as antidepressants – without a prescription (adverse reactions can range from an allergy to problems in the neurological system).

Know that, in addition to being dangerous, this is unnecessary. Breastfeeding is a natural act and the secret to having enough milk is in the body itself; just adjust the technique and take care of the feed and the head to ensure enough. Experts give below seven tips to really increase your milk production without risking your health or that of your baby.

Sleep well

We know that most babies wake up during the night to be fed or because of discomfort such as a full diaper and colic. We also understand that this can interrupt your sleep. But the peak of action of prolactin, the hormone that stimulates the mammary glands to produce milk, is during the early hours of the morning AND with the body in a state of rest.

So, ask for help from bae or mozona, your mother, sister, aunt, best friend to take care of the baby when the subject is not related to breastfeeding and sleep as much as you can at night. You will have much more milk the next day.

make the correct grip

A common mistake at the beginning of breastfeeding is for the baby to suckle only through the nipples and not to suck all the milk. The organism understands that there is surplus and adjusts milk production downwards, to avoid waste and even engorgement of the woman’s breasts.

For the baby to breastfeed everything, it is necessary that the attachment is correct: mouth wide open, with the lips turned outwards, biting nipples and areolas, chin resting on the breast. The body should be in a position with the belly and torso facing the mother. He will drink all the milk and the body will produce more.

If you have difficulty, seek help from a Milk Bank. The service is free and the professionals are great!

Breastfeeding on demand

Without this scheduled time for feedings; when the baby feels hungry, put it on the chest. It’s breastfeeding on demand. Thus, the body will understand that it needs to keep milk production high, as the baby may want to breastfeed at any time.

Empty the breasts at the end of each feeding

Maybe the baby has suckled everything, and then it’s excellent. But there may be a little left over, and we don’t want the body to understand that it can produce less, remember? So, whenever you finish a feeding, empty your breasts with your hands or with an inhaler. Milk production will be stimulated, as your body knows that a baby depends on you and your breasts cannot be empty.

You can freeze this milk to use later or donate it to the nearest Milk Bank.

Hydrate all day

The more fluids you drink, the more “raw material” for milk production you will have. It can be water, tea, milk and even a cup of coffee a day (more than that can make the baby stressed and unbalance the little one’s sleep). Just avoid alcoholic beverages.

If you need to, install a hydration reminder app on your phone. Anything goes to not get dehydrated!

Eat Salmon and Tuna

This won’t directly increase milk production – the effect is more subtle.

Because these are fish rich in omega 3, a good polyunsaturated fatty acid that replaces the fat that leaves the mother’s body through milk, keeping the woman’s energy up to date. And, with energy up to date, it’s easier to handle everything a baby requires and avoid stress. Which brings us to the next item.

Avoid getting stressed

The increase in cortisol levels, a hormone stimulated by stress, inhibits the production of prolactin, somewhat nullifying the effect of a good night’s sleep that we talked about at the beginning. It also impairs the action of oxytocin, a hormone that helps in the contraction of breast muscles for milk to reach the nipples. Being stressed all the time, therefore, can harm breastfeeding.

Again: we know these first few months can be tough, but try not to pay too much attention to external issues and ask your support network for help.

Sources consulted: Ana Heloísa Gama (pediatrician and founder of the SOS Mamãe e Cia. project), Maria Elisa Noriler (gynecologist and obstetrician), Natasha Slhessarenko (pediatrician at Laboratório Exame/DASA), Nicolle Ferraz Ferreira (nurse and breastfeeding consultant) and Sérgio Makabe (gynecologist, obstetrician and member of the National Breastfeeding Commission of FEBRASGO – Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations).