What to Do If You Have Poor Lactation?

A newborn baby feeds more often than a mature baby. The child will consume milk 8-12 times a day until he is 1-2 months old. The baby’s diet increases and his feeding frequency reduces as he gets older.

Mothers often worry whether they can provide sufficient milk to soothe the child’s hunger or not. It’s a valid concern for some women, especially if they believe they can’t produce enough milk to feed the baby.

Such problems can cause stress during the early days of motherhood. You should learn more about the issue to properly deal with it. Continue reading to learn what to do if there is not enough breast milk!

What Does Cause the Low Milk Supply?

One of the following things can reduce the breast milk supply:

Low breastfeeding frequency

If you don’t breastfeed as often as the baby needs, it will cause a low supply of milk. Frequent breastfeeding is quite essential to increase milk production in mammary glands. Therefore, you should feed the child as often as possible!

Avoiding breastfeeding

Some mothers do not breastfeed the child because of the pain it causes. It can be painful in the starting, but that doesn’t mean you should stop breastfeeding the child. It will reduce milk production!

The child is not sucking enough milk

It won’t help you if you breastfeed 8-10 times but the child does not suck enough milk. Encourage him to fill his tummy. Maintain a comforting breastfeeding posture. Wake up the child if he falls asleep while breastfeeding.

Feeding complementary foods at the early age of the child

Your child won’t consume milk if you introduce a complementary meal too early. It will affect his health, reduce his appetite, and also affect milk production. You should only breastfeed a newborn child!

Incorrect breastfeeding posture

Poor breastfeeding posture can also cause a low milk supply. Choose a position that comforts you, the child, and stimulates lactation. It will improve the milk quantity and your baby will always get enough to fill his tummy.

Lack of enthusiasm for breastfeeding

Mothers should be psychologically prepared for breastfeeding. Learn everything you can about this thing so that it can be a pleasant experience for you. Keep the baby in the same room after the delivery. Feed him as soon as possible to establish that loving bond with the child.

Malnutrition and lack of rest

Poor rest and malnutrition can severely affect a mother’s ability to produce milk. You should only think about the child’s health. It depends totally on you until the child is 1-year old. Take a healthy diet, rest a lot, and thus you will produce an ample amount of milk to feed the child.

Oral motor disorder

Babies, who have the oral motor disorder, can find it quite difficult to use their mouth for consuming milk. It can occur due to facial defect and other health problems. It ultimately causes poor lactation and early treatment can cure this problem.

Mammary dysplasia

Mothers with breast surgery, mammary dysplasia, re-pregnancy, nipple depression, and hypothyroidism can have low milk secretion. Proper treatment is necessary to cure these health issues and increase milk production in mammary glands.

Medications

Medicines, such as antihistamines, birth control pills, decongestants, and fertility pills can reduce the milk secretion in breasts. You should consult with the doctor before taking such medicines!

What Are the Signs of Low Breast Milk Supply?

You have just learned what causes a low milk supply. How to know that you aren’t producing enough milk for breastfeeding? Look for the following signs!

Signs a Mother Can Observe

The baby is not making swallowing sound

Even though you feeling the discharge of milk, the baby is not making swallowing sound. It is an indication that the breast is not offering enough milk to swallow. You should meet the doctor if it continues to happen for several days!  

Breasts do not swell before feeding

Your breasts will not swell noticeably before breastfeeding if there is a low milk supply. It is not a concerning issue if it happens one or two times. Look for the frequent changes in the size of the breast. You are having a low milk supply if the breast size does not change too much!

Breasts are not discharging milk 5 days after delivery

Some new mothers have troubles in discharging breast milk due to nipple congestion and nipple pain. It requires the doctor’s attention immediately. The baby will rely on formula milk as long as the treatment continues.

Signs of a Lack of Milk Supply Given by the Child

Reduced urination frequency

A healthy newborn child should urinate at least 6 times a day. It indicates that the baby is getting a sufficient amount of milk. The child will not urinate up to 6 times a day if there is a low supply of milk. He may hardly urinate 3-4 times in such conditions!

You breastfeed less than 8 times a day

Newborn babies breastfeed 8-12 times a day. It continues for the first two months of the child’s life. There is a lack of milk supply or other health issues if the child doesn’t seek food within 2-3 hours. You should notice the child’s milk consuming frequency if you are a new mother!

The baby cries after breastfeeding

If the child looks upset or cries after breastfeeding, it may be a sign of a lack of milk supply. The child may also not leave the nipple to consume more milk. Such signs show that the child is not getting enough milk to soothe his hunger.

The baby does not sleep enough

Newborn babies only sleep and eat. If the child stays awake after feeding, he might be hungry. Some babies wake up after a few minutes because they need more milk. It is a sign that the child isn’t getting enough breast milk to feel full!

Low weight gain

The baby won’t gain more than 15-30g weight for the first five days if there is a low milk supply. Recognize the issue quickly to cure it as soon as possible. Low milk production can affect a child’s health. Therefore, you should look for the signs to treat the problem quickly.

What Should You Do to Increase Breast Milk Supply?

Breastfeed more often

Studies reveal that breastfeeding mothers have increased prolactin levels. It stimulates the production of milk in mammary glands. Consequently, your child gets more milk each time you breastfeed him.

No medicines

Avoid foods and medicines which reduce milk secretion. Consult with the doctor to choose better medications for you and the child’s health.

Take lactation promoting supplements

Consume milk production boosting supplements to produce more milk. A top-quality supplement will increase milk quantity and its nutritional values. Do not take over the counter supplements and nutrition. Take your doctor’s support to find the best supplements to increase milk production.

Maintain a happy mood

You should be happy about having a child. Do not worry about pain, health, and size. Everything will get fine as you start breastfeeding. Do not let that initial pain discard the best way of showing love for the child. Feel happy to feel healthy and promote milk secretion.

Have a well-balanced diet

There will be certain foods you cannot eat after delivery, but do not let them affect your health. Add foods to your diet that increase breast milk production. Thus, you can increase milk secretion and lactation!

Which Foods You Should Eat to Promote Lactation?

Add the following foods to your daily diet to increase the breast milk supply:

• You can consume stewed pork belly, pork leg, rice porridge, and peanuts to increase lactation. These foods are known for increasing breast milk production.

• Buy dried lily flowers from the market and boil them with chicken. Consume the chicken now to have sufficient nutrients to increase milk production.

• Tofu is a good dish to try. Have it with red wine to boost lactation. Pick a healthy tofu recipe and prepare it at home to add something new to your daily diet.

• You can also eat fish roe, which is quite delicious, to increase milk production. The recipe is quite simple and you can find it online to add delicious cuisine to your daily diet.

• Eat papaya daily because it promotes lactation and it is also good for your health!

These foods will help you in producing more milk to keep the child’s tummy full.

Conclusion

The low supply of breast milk can starve a newborn child. Focus on the causes and signs of poor milk supply. Meet the doctor immediately if your child continues to cry for food. Proper treatment will boost lactation and your child will again get ample milk to soothe his hunger.

Now, you know what to do if there is not enough breast milk. Try to avoid such a condition as much as possible. Focus on nourishing your child and have a good diet plan to produce more food for the child!  

---