Crucian carp soup and pig's trotter soup are the most effective? There is still a lot that mothers should know about "milk production"

Author: Tang Qin, Deputy Secretary-General and Researcher of the Science Popularization Expert Committee of the Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Zuo Xiaoxia, Chief Physician, Nutrition Department, Eighth Medical Center, PLA General Hospital

In order to produce milk earlier, mothers force themselves to drink thick crucian carp soup and pig's trotter soup every day, because the older generation said that this is the most effective.

But is this really the case? What else do mothers need to know about "milk production"?

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How is breast milk formed?

The formation of breast milk involves two processes: lactation and milk ejection. These two processes have already begun during pregnancy.

When women are pregnant, their breasts become larger because during pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the placenta promotes the growth and development of the corpus luteum of the ovary and increases estrogen. Under the influence of estrogen and progesterone, the alveoli and glandular ducts of the breast develop again, all of which are in preparation for postpartum milk secretion.

After giving birth, the hormone level in the mother's body begins to gradually decrease. At this time, the brain will issue a command, "instructing" the pituitary gland to secrete prolactin, so that the glandular ducts of the mother's breasts can secrete milk. At this time, the mother's breasts begin to swell, and if they are not discharged in time, they will feel swollen and painful.

How to better "milk"

For most women, postpartum lactation is a natural physiological process and does not require any special methods. For women with insufficient milk secretion, some measures can be taken to promote milk secretion.

The simplest and most effective method is to let the baby suck the mother's nipple. The baby can suck within half an hour after birth. The earlier the baby sucks, the easier it is to "produce milk". When the baby sucks the nipple, the mother's prolactin increases, which makes the milk secreted earlier and more abundantly.

You can also use physical massage methods. Before massage, you can apply a hot towel to the breast, then hold the breast with one hand, and gently massage and pull the breast from the root of the breast to the nipple with the other hand. Breast massage can be performed during pregnancy, which can promote blood circulation in the breast, help dredge the mammary ducts, and increase the success rate of breastfeeding.

If the mother is worried that she can't do it well, she can ask a professional lactation consultant for help. If it still doesn't work after many attempts, she can use some drugs to promote lactation under the guidance of a doctor.

Finally, pay attention to adjusting your diet, making reasonable combinations, balanced nutrition, and increasing the intake of protein, vitamins and other nutrients.

In fact, all foods have a certain "milk-inducing" effect, because they are an important source of raw materials for the secretion of breast milk by mothers. In particular, soups are more conducive to lactation, especially those broths, chicken soups and fish soups that are rich in protein, fat and water.

However, it should be noted that although crucian carp soup and pig's trotter soup can help to increase milk production, you should not drink too much of them. This is because these milky soups have a high fat content. Drinking too much will increase the fat content in the breast milk. This can easily cause milk blockage and induce mastitis. At the same time, breast milk containing high fat is not easily absorbed by the baby.

Therefore, you don’t have to drink crucian carp soup and pig’s trotter soup every day. It is enough to drink them 1 to 2 times a week. You can rotate them with other soups, so you won’t get tired of them easily.

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What should you pay attention to when "milking"

Pay attention to the breastfeeding posture. The correct breastfeeding posture is very important. It can not only avoid nipple injury, but also help the mother secrete milk. When breastfeeding, be sure to let the baby put the entire nipple and areola into the mouth to help the baby suck hard to get more milk. As the baby eats more, the more milk will be secreted.

Many new mothers suffer nipple injuries and inflammation due to incorrect breastfeeding posture, and are even forced to stop breastfeeding. For new mothers or mothers whose babies are in the teething stage, nipple covers can be used to relieve the pain caused by the baby's sucking.

Pay attention to the number of breastfeeding. Generally speaking, the more times the baby suckles, the more milk the mother will secrete. For mothers with insufficient milk secretion, it is recommended to increase the number of breastfeeding, allowing the baby to suck once every 1 to 2 hours, and each sucking for about half an hour.

Pay attention to a reasonable diet. The quality of a mother's food will directly affect the quality of her breast milk. The food she eats every day should be diversified so that she can take in a variety of nutrients. In addition to increasing the staple food, she should also eat more vegetables and fruits to supplement a variety of vitamins and minerals. She also needs to drink more soy products and milk to ensure calcium intake. In addition, she should drink more soup to ensure the secretion of breast milk.

Postpartum women should adhere to the following dietary principles: eat small meals frequently, combine dry and liquid foods, combine meat and vegetables, and choose the right amount of salty or light foods.

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How to prevent milk regurgitation

Weaning generally refers to the phenomenon of reduced milk secretion in lactating women after the child is weaned. However, if the milk is not weaned before the baby is weaned, it will give the mother a headache.

So, how to prevent milk regurgitation?

The most effective way to prevent milk regurgitation is to let the baby suck more, so as to promote milk secretion. If the baby is not around, or it is inconvenient to breastfeed for other reasons, you can use a breast pump to suck out the milk. Never let your breasts swell, because over time, milk secretion will gradually decrease, and it is easy to form lumps, block the mammary glands, and cause mastitis.

Mothers should pay attention to diet during breastfeeding. Do not eat raw, cold, spicy, irritating, or overly salty foods, as well as foods that inhibit milk secretion, such as hawthorn, malt, ginseng, and leeks.

Mood and sleep are equally important for mothers. Bad mood and lack of sleep will affect appetite, leading to reduced intake of nutrients, reduced raw materials for milk, and affected milk secretion.

Every new mother hopes that her baby will grow up healthily, and breast milk is the best source of nutrition for the baby. Therefore, the normal secretion of breast milk is particularly important. As long as you master the correct method, ensure sufficient intake of milk, and keep a good mood, the secretion of breast milk will be smoother.

References

[1] Yang Xiulian. Evaluation of the effect of breast massage during pregnancy on breastfeeding. Big Health, 2021(10): 13.