Breast milk is the greatest gift we can give our baby. So, what should be done to increase breast milk? What to eat to increase breast milk or which foods increase breast milk? These summarize the concerns that new mothers often experience from the moment their baby is born. We have researched ways to increase breast milk for you and we have some tips to increase breast milk.
How Does Breast Milk Increase?
First of all, one thing must be underlined: Every mother’s milk is enough for her baby or babies. It is most important for the mother to believe this first and foremost. So worrying about “is my milk enough for my baby” or “how do I know if my milk is enough for my baby” is a bit unfounded. However, breast milk may decrease over time. There are different reasons why breast milk may decrease. Let’s explain why breast milk decreases:
Why does breast milk decrease?
Research shows that breast milk may decrease due to reasons such as the mother being under intense stress, incorrect breastfeeding position and malnutrition. Details are as follows:
- Stress Reduces Breast Milk!
The substance prolactin, which makes milk in our bodies, is released as we breastfeed. But for the milk to reach the baby through the ducts, a hormone called oxytocin comes into play. This hormone is a very timid hormone that is affected by stress. As the mother tenses up and the stress level increases, its release slows down and the milk does not reach the baby.
- Breastfeeding in the Wrong Position Reduces Breast Milk!
The second most important thing is to breastfeed the baby in the right position. Mothers should definitely pay attention to this. If your baby does not suckle in the right position, your milk cannot reach your baby fully and it starts to decrease day by day. In addition, you will get sores on your nipples and it will always be a problem for you. Learn how to breastfeed in the correct position from the baby nurse before you leave the hospital. It should also be noted that using breastfeeding pillows tobreastfeed the baby in the right position, that is, in a way that he or she is comfortable , can offer great comfort.
- Avoiding Breastfeeding is One of the Causes of Decreased Breast Milk!
Increasing breast milk is also very effective, as is breastfeeding the baby whenever and as much as the baby wants. The more demand there is for breast milk, the more there will be. Therefore, when you want to increase your milk, breastfeed as much as you can. Especially during the first ten days, breastfeed as much as you want, regardless of the time of day or which breast you are breastfeeding from.
Recommendations to Increase Breast Milk
Many new mothers are researching “how to increase breast milk”. Recommendations to increase breast milk can be summarized as follows:
1.Lots of Breastfeeding!
at the end of the 10th-12th day, your breast milk has completed the maturation process, so you should try to breastfeed in sessions lasting 15-12 minutes on average and to suck the fatty part of the breast milk.
2.Make Milking with a Milking Machine!
If you think that your breast milk is not increasing even though you are breastfeeding a lot, then make sure to express 15 minutes after each feeding with your pump. These expressions should always be after breastfeeding. Please do not worry about the amount of milk produced. The amount may be small. For example, when expressing with an electric breast pump or other milk expressing devices, just like breastfeeding (it is not exactly the same, but it is very similar), your milk is increased by sending plenty of messages to your breasts.
3.Drink Lots of Water!
Apart from these, the amount of water you drink and the mother’s diet are also very effective in increasing breast milk. It is very important to drink an average of 2-2.5 liters of water a day. In addition to water, 3-4 cups of fennel tea and ready-made teas sold for nursing mothers should be drunk.
4.Take Foods That Increase Breast Milk!
A breastfeeding mother should have a balanced diet and take almost every food, but it is known that some foods increase the amount of breast milk or increase the fat in breast milk. The foods that increase breast milk can be summarized as follows:
- Almonds and Walnuts
Drinking a large glass of water after each breastfeeding and eating 3-4 walnuts and almonds with it are among the ways to increase the amount of breast milk. This will also increase the fat content of your breast milk.
- Meat/ Fish
A breastfeeding mother should definitely focus on animal protein, especially if she is in the milk-boosting period.
- Legumes
Legumes should also be used in this process. But if legumes cause gas to a nursing mother, it is useful to stay away.
- Green Leafy
Apart from these, dill, berries, grapes, brewer’s yeast, all dark green leafy vegetables make milk.
See also our article titled Foods That Increase Breast Milk!
5.Pay Attention to Frequent Feeding!
a mother who eats 3 main meals and 3 snacks will have more milk. It is important to eat frequently and prefer foods with high nutritional value instead of taking a lot of calories in one meal.
In short, when a mother starts the breastfeeding process by believing in herself and her baby, breastfeeding plenty, drinking enough water, pumping if necessary and eating healthy, her milk increases. Healthy, happy and abundant milk days:))