Why isn't breast milk enough?

Although living conditions in modern society are getting better and better, the nutritional supplements for mothers are more sufficient, and the situation of less milk supply is more common. However, there are still some mothers who do not have enough breast milk due to their own physical reasons. Babies should try their best to grow up with breast milk, which can effectively improve their own immunity. Moreover, why does the problem of insufficient milk still exist today when material life is so abundant?

Why is there insufficient milk supply?

There are several reasons why mothers may not have enough milk:

1. The mental and psychological burden on the mother may lead to insufficient milk supply.

Psychological factors such as excessive tension during childbirth, worries about the baby's health after childbirth, and lack of family care after childbirth will increase the mental burden on mothers and may cause insufficient milk. Factors such as poor sleep, mental anxiety or high stress in the mother may lead to insufficient milk supply.

2. Improper breastfeeding methods of the mother will lead to insufficient milk.

(1) Incorrect breastfeeding methods are more likely to cause insufficient milk supply, so mothers should learn to feed their babies in the correct way.

(2) Mothers should also note that the interval between feedings should be determined by the baby. If you feed on a scheduled basis, it will reduce the amount of breast milk the mother produces.

(3) If a mother adds formula milk to her baby too early, the baby’s sucking frequency will decrease, which in turn reduces the stimulation to the mother’s breasts, leading to insufficient milk.

3. The mother’s own physical factors can also lead to insufficient milk.

(1) The mother’s physical condition is poor, and symptoms such as anemia, insufficient qi and blood will lead to insufficient milk. At the same time, if the mother's breasts are underdeveloped and her nipples are painful, it can also lead to milk deficiency.

(2) High or low thyroid levels in the mother can also affect the amount of breast milk secreted.

(3) If the mother loses a lot of blood after giving birth, her milk secretion may be affected until her body recovers.

(4) Placental remnants remain in the mother's uterus before they are expelled or removed, which may lead to insufficient milk supply.

(5) If the mother uses medication improperly, such as taking contraceptive drugs by mistake, it may cause insufficient milk supply.

What to do if you don't have enough milk

1. Increasing the number of times the baby sucks can promote milk secretion.

After the child drinks milk, it stimulates the mother to secrete prolactin, which greatly increases the amount of milk.

2. To avoid insufficient milk, mothers should avoid taking medication during breastfeeding.

New mothers should be cautious when taking medicine and pay more attention to food. Anti-thyroid drugs and hawthorn, for example, can affect milk production. Therefore, if the mother feels unwell during breastfeeding, she should take medication according to the doctor's advice.

3. Insufficient milk may be due to malnutrition of the mother, so nutritional supplements are needed.

The nutrients in breast milk come from the mother's body, so in order to ensure that the mother has sufficient milk, the mother should eat more foods with high nutritional value and nutritious soups.

4. Keeping the mother in a good mood can also increase her milk secretion.

Mothers after giving birth are emotionally fragile and unstable, which will affect the secretion of breast milk. Maintaining a healthy spiritual and material life during breastfeeding period is beneficial to the mother's better milk secretion.

5. Mothers can increase milk secretion through diet therapy.

Foods such as pig's trotters and peanuts are good lactation foods and have a good promoting effect on the secretion of milk.

6. Breastfeeding mothers should replenish water in time.

If the mother's body water content is not high, it will lead to reduced milk production and the nutritional value will be lower than normal. Therefore, mothers should drink more fresh milk, boiled water, and fresh and nutritious soups.