Title: How to Induce Lactation for New Mothers
Date: 2009-05-09 06:23:00
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The process of promoting milk production in the breasts through massage, diet, and herbal remedies is called lactation induction.
Due to the inhibition of the pituitary gland in humans, milk secretion can be reduced. Breast engorgement can lead to mastitis, which in turn reduces milk production. Additionally, with the increase of working mothers who have long hours away from home, the frequency of breastfeeding is insufficient, resulting in inadequate milk production. Some mothers may have small or inverted nipples, which can cause nipple injuries and reduce the number of times the baby can suckle, leading to decreased milk supply.
Let's take a look at how these new mothers induced lactation:
Mother #1: Hua Xiangxuan
Don't let "lack of confidence" bring you down. To be honest, I didn't have much hope for successfully inducing lactation. My mother had 6 children, none of whom were breastfed. My two sisters also had children but had no milk. So, I was very worried before giving birth about whether I would be able to produce milk and breastfeed my own baby. Thanks to my mother-in-law's patient encouragement and guidance, I took three measures. Sure enough, less than 24 hours after giving birth, I started lactating, and it kept increasing, promoting a healthy milk production cycle.
First, maintain a positive mood before giving birth. My mother-in-law patiently explained the principles of lactation to me, reinforcing my awareness that it is normal to produce milk after giving birth and that not producing milk is abnormal. This helped dispel my previous doubts and strengthened my confidence.
Second, let the baby suckle the nipples within 12 hours after giving birth. Starting from 3 weeks before giving birth, I cleaned my breasts, especially the nipples, with warm soapy water every day. I also asked my husband to massage my breasts daily. This actually stimulated the breasts and nipples, and it also helped toughen the nipple skin to prevent future damage from breastfeeding.
Third, consume a lot of unsalted river carp soup, including the soup; pig trotter and soybean soup, cooked until soft and consumed with the soup. Also, increase the intake of soups. I followed this routine throughout the entire postpartum period.
Judge's comment: Don't underestimate the power of emotions. Postpartum breastfeeding is a family affair, and caring, support, and encouragement from the family can promote increased milk production. The practices of this mother named Hua Xiangxuan and her mother-in-law are excellent. First, having sufficient confidence and persistence in breastfeeding. This mother made some preparations before giving birth, such as cleaning the nipples and massaging the breasts (note: excessive stimulation of the nipples at this time can cause premature birth). In addition, the baby should be breastfed as soon as possible after giving birth. Also, this mother would empty her breasts if the baby couldn't finish feeding, which helps stimulate faster milk production and prevents breast engorgement.
Life guidance: Some mothers may think it's a waste to discard breast milk that hasn't been consumed in one feeding and save it for the next feeding. However, this is counterproductive. If there is residual milk in the breasts, it can lead to a decrease in milk production. Congestion of milk can cause lumps, breast engorgement, and even mastitis, resulting in breastfeeding failure.
Breast milk can be considered the best gift a mother can give to her baby. Breastfeeding not only enhances the baby's immune system but also strengthens the bond between mother and child. However, without awareness of breast care and proper lactation induction knowledge, new mothers may struggle to produce precious breast milk for their babies. To help more new mothers overcome difficulties in lactation induction, such as insufficient milk, breast engorgement, breast pain, and blocked milk ducts, we have collected and compiled some scientifically based and innovative lactation induction tips. These tips are derived from the valuable life experiences and insights of many mothers.
Mother #2: Mingming Ma
Rooming-in and demand feeding for mother and baby
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After giving birth, use a warm towel to apply heat and massage the breasts several times a day.
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To speed up ventilation and allow the mother to drink soup earlier, after giving birth, drink boiled water with white radish or orange peel. This helps the mother breathe easily.
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Let the baby have early contact with the nipples, even if there is no milk. Before the baby sucks, massage the breasts and clean the nipples.
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When the milk ducts are not fully open, avoid drinking strong nourishing soups such as chicken soup and fish soup to prevent mastitis. Instead, start with rice soup, millet porridge, or noodles. The milk will naturally increase over time.
Early suckling stimulates milk production.
To promote breastfeeding, most maternity hospitals now arrange for mother and baby to stay in the same room after delivery and encourage the baby to suckle as much as possible. Therefore, when the baby cries or the mother feels it is time to breastfeed, she can pick up the baby and breastfeed, which is also known as "demand feeding." In the first few days, the baby's feeding may be irregular, and they may need to feed frequently. It is important to meet the baby's needs. By early and frequent suckling, milk production will be fully stimulated, and it can also prevent breast engorgement.
Judge's comment: Easy to learn and use, persistence is key. The lactation induction methods and breastfeeding awareness used by this young mother named "Mingming Ma" are highly commendable. "Early suckling and frequent suckling" is the key to lactation induction. After giving birth, due to hormonal changes in the body, milk production is inevitable.
Life guidance: Adequate nutrition supply during breastfeeding is crucial. In the first few days after delivery, avoid eating greasy foods as the digestive function has not fully recovered. After a few days, gradually transition to a diet suitable for breastfeeding, ensuring high-calorie and high-protein foods. Adequate vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water intake are also essential. A balanced diet should include meat, vegetables, fruits, rice, milk, and water. Otherwise, it can affect milk production and quality.
Key point 1: Infant suckling
Suckling stimulation helps milk production
After childbirth, the hormone levels in the mother's body change, which stimulates milk production in the breasts. Once the newborn baby suckles the nipples, it stimulates the nerve endings in the nipples, transmitting signals to the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, triggering the milk ejection reflex. Therefore, milk production can only be achieved through the baby's suckling stimulation.
Therefore, it is recommended to have the baby suckle the mother's nipples shortly after delivery (within half an hour). This plays a significant role in the success of breastfeeding. Additionally, demand feeding is also crucial. The more frequent and regular the baby sucks, the earlier milk production will occur. This is the key to promoting milk production.
Warm reminder: Early contact with the nipples is beneficial for lactation induction, even if there is no milk. Therefore, to ensure the baby's health, the mother should massage the breasts and clean the nipples before the baby sucks. This is crucial and can have a positive effect on milk production.
Furthermore, during breastfeeding, the mother should maintain a happy mood, get enough sleep, have a balanced diet, and have confidence in breastfeeding. The baby should sleep in the same room as the mother so that the baby's cries can stimulate milk production.
Key point 2: Creative diet therapy
Diet therapy for lactation induction: Time is essential
There are many foods in folk tradition that promote milk production, such as carp, pig trotters, wine-steamed eggs, soybeans, and red dates. Nutrition during breastfeeding is crucial, and it should include high-calorie, high-protein foods, sufficient vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water.
It is particularly important to set a time limit for lactation induction through diet therapy. In the first few days after delivery, due to fatigue during childbirth, the digestive function has not fully recovered, so it is advisable to avoid greasy foods. It is recommended to transition to a high-nutrient diet after 3 days, including daily intake of milk, rice, meat, vegetables, and fruits.
Important knowledge: If breast engorgement is experienced during breastfeeding, the first method to try is to let the baby suckle more. If the baby cannot finish feeding, it is necessary to use a breast pump to empty the breasts; otherwise, it can lead to mastitis and decreased milk production. Additionally, some Chinese herbs such as Tongcao, Mutong, Wangbuliu, and Chuanshanjia are also very effective. Other methods such as hot compress and massage can also be helpful. In this regard, the readers who participated in this essay submission activity have shown their creativity and shared some quick and convenient measures that are both effective and easy to implement.