Can I still breastfeed at four months?

Women will produce milk within three or four days after giving birth, but some women think that their physical condition is not good and milk may not be nutritious enough for their children, so they choose to feed their children milk powder. After eating milk powder for a period of time, women regret it and want to continue to feed their children with breast milk. At this time, they need to boost milk production. So, can they still boost milk production after four months?

Can I still breastfeed at four months?

Yes, you can. To increase milk production, you need to suck more. Only when the baby sucks frequently and effectively can more breast milk be secreted. When the baby sucks the nipple, the mother's pituitary gland is stimulated to secrete oxytocin and prolactin, which allows milk to be secreted. Therefore, mothers need to breastfeed and feed frequently to effectively increase milk production. In order for the baby to suck frequently and effectively, the baby must feel a little hungry, which means you cannot fill the baby's stomach with milk powder. The increase in milk powder needs to be gradual. You can start by extending the interval between two milk powder meals and gradually reducing the number of times you add milk powder throughout the day.

Misunderstandings about breastfeeding

Many mothers think that if their breasts are not swollen, it means they have no milk, so they don’t feed their babies when their breasts are not swollen. In fact, this is due to differences in physical constitution. Many mothers never have breast engorgement. Milk is produced while you eat, and it is not a criterion for whether you have milk or not. Moreover, no breast engorgement indicates a balance between supply and demand, which is the norm; engorgement means supply exceeds demand, which is the abnormal norm. The reason why a baby eats and sleeps but cannot sleep well is not because of insufficient milk or hunger. Eating and sleeping is the normal state of the baby. Poor sleep usually comes from problems with the parenting habits and environment. Some babies simply like the feeling of being half awake and half asleep with the nipple in their mouths.

The breastfeeding stage is very important for children. It is also a very special and important stage for mothers. Mothers cannot just focus on providing a good environment for their babies and ignore their own health. Correct breastfeeding should benefit both the child and the mother. It is recommended to increase milk production under the guidance of a professional doctor and not do it blindly.