How to quickly start breastfeeding after childbirth

1. Start breast massage before giving birth

Pregnant mothers must not think that milk secretion is something that happens after giving birth. In fact, some preparations can be made before delivery. Massaging the breasts before delivery can make it easier for the newborn baby to suck breast milk.

2. Chest massage in 2 steps

Chest massage: Use a hot and damp towel to warm the entire breast, overlap your hands and push the breasts towards the center of the chest, and then push and massage diagonally upwards.

Hot massage: Dip a clean towel in warm water, rub in a circular motion from the center of the nipple to the nipple, and apply heat on both sides in turn, for 5 minutes on each side.

3. Postpartum milk: Let the baby suck breast milk

Mothers who choose to give birth naturally should let their babies drink colostrum within 30 minutes after birth! The sooner the baby can suck milk, the more complete the milk flow. It is the first step to exclusive breastfeeding. Babies born by caesarean section usually need to be observed in an isolation room for 6 hours before they can be brought to their mother's side. 30 minutes after giving birth, the mother should use a manual breast pump to replace the baby to complete the milk delivery work.

4. Chinese herbal medicine or diet therapy to promote lactation

Compared with the difficult and arduous traditional Chinese medicine for lactation, I believe that more new mothers want to use diet therapy to promote lactation. After giving birth, you should pay attention to replenishing water, drink more soy milk, fruit juice, original vegetable soup, etc. It is best to maintain the good habit of drinking milk every day. Of course, if it is really necessary, you can also ask the doctor to prescribe some Chinese medicine to increase milk production.

5. Folk mothers’ golden ideas for lactation

(1) Let your husband suck your breasts: Don’t be shy. Many mothers let their husbands help suck their breasts. You can give it a try.

(2) Pinch the nipple to see if there is already a nipple opening and milk is coming out; to determine whether the mammary glands are unobstructed, you can also use a manual breast pump to see how many milk lines there are. Under normal circumstances, new mothers usually have 2-3 on each side.

(3) If it is really not good, you can hire a lactation consultant. Generally, one hour of massage will have actual results. The lactation consultant will also teach some feeding methods.