Is pig's trotter soup a "milk-inducing soup" or a "milk-blocking soup"?

This is the 2698th article of Da Yi Xiao Hu

As the saying goes, "Gold and silver are not as good as mother's milk", which is enough to show that the nutritional value of breast milk is very high. We all know that there are many advantages of breastfeeding:

For babies, breast milk contains more milk protein, which is easy to absorb. The ratio of the three major nutrients of protein, fat and sugar is also very appropriate. It is rich in various nutrients to promote the development of babies. It can also effectively enhance the baby's resistance and reduce the incidence of infection and allergic diseases. Therefore, breast milk is the best gift that mothers can give to their babies.

For mothers, breastfeeding can also effectively help them regain weight, promote uterine contraction and accelerate uterine involution; modern research shows that it can also reduce the risk of diseases such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and postpartum depression; of course, it is also a very good way to enhance emotional communication between mother and child.

However, this world is not necessarily fair. At least breast milk is not fair for newborn babies. Some mothers are born with abundant milk, which not only fully meets the needs of their babies, but also allows them to make various handmade soaps to give to friends after filling up the refrigerator. However, some mothers' milk is like spring water in the desert, which is completely in short supply and faces exhaustion at any time. What should we do in the face of this cruel reality? I'm sure many people's first reaction is pig's trotter soup! But can they really get what they want? In fact, many mothers have not increased their milk supply after three meals of "milk-inducing soup" pig's trotter soup a day, but their weight has soared and they have frequent milk blockages! What is going on?

The use of medicinal food for lactation has long been recorded in ancient Chinese medical books. In "Shengji Zonglu·Food Treatment of Postpartum Diseases", "Fish and Abalone Soup Recipe" and "Beef Soup Recipe" are used to treat postpartum milk retention. "Prescriptions for Emergency Thousand Gold" lists 21 milk-reducing recipes, including pig's trotters and crucian carp. Chinese medicine believes that qi and blood "are milk on the top and menstrual blood on the bottom". The mother's qi and blood are deficient or the spleen and stomach are weak, and the qi and blood have no source of production, so the milk is reduced. Most mothers in this situation have a dull complexion, often feel tired and weak, and the milk is relatively thin, and the breasts are soft and not swollen. Although the milk is insufficient, it is sometimes accompanied by milk leakage. In this case, we consider qi and blood weakness, and can use Chinese medicines such as Codonopsis, Astragalus, and Angelica to replenish qi, nourish blood, and promote lactation. At this time, pig's trotter soup can be boldly served, and it can also be made into medicinal food with the above Chinese medicines, but it should also be noted that it should not be too greasy.

In addition, the liver meridian passes through the breasts, and the liver is responsible for dredging. Therefore, liver depression and qi stagnation, milk network obstruction, and poor milk flow can also lead to insufficient milk. In clinical practice, it is often encountered that parturients come to the doctor because their milk suddenly decreases significantly after a quarrel with their husbands. This is a typical case of liver depression and qi stagnation. Although mothers in this situation have insufficient milk, they will also be accompanied by breast hardening and pain, and the milk is also relatively thick. At the same time, there will be chest and flank distension, bad mood, loss of appetite, etc. In this case, we can use Chinese medicines such as Bupleurum, White Peony, and Green Peel to soothe the liver and regulate qi, and cooperate with Chinese medicines such as Loulu, Tongcao, Luffa, Vaccaria, and Scutellaria to promote milk circulation. At this time, if the pig's trotter soup has been stewed, please leave it for your husband to drink, because if you try hard to supplement it in the case of liver depression and qi stagnation, it will hinder the qi mechanism, which is counterproductive. The more you supplement, the more blocked it will be.

The third situation is that the mother is overweight, has heavy phlegm and dampness, and the postpartum diet is too greasy, which affects the spleen's transportation and transformation function, gathers dampness and produces phlegm, and phlegm and qi block the milk veins and collaterals. Zhang Jingyue once wrote in "Jingyue Complete Book": "Obese women have phlegm and qi, and milk stagnation." In this case, the mother may still have relatively large breasts, but they are not swollen, and the milk is not thick. Usually, she feels chest tightness and phlegm, has a poor appetite, and the stool is not easily formed and sticky. In this case, we can use Atractylodes, Cyperus, Fuling, Tangerine Peel and other spleen-strengthening and dampness-removing Chinese medicines such as Lophatherum and Trichosanthes. Don't think about pig's trotter soup at this time, because greasy pig's trotter soup will hinder the spleen and stomach function and aggravate phlegm and dampness, so the more you replenish milk, the less milk you have, and even block the milk and cause mastitis.

In addition to oral Chinese medicine and medicated diet, targeted acupoint massage can also help increase milk supply.

Tanzhong Point

——On the anterior midline, at the level of the 4th intercostal space, the midpoint of the line connecting the two nipples: it belongs to the Ren meridian, and is the place where the pericardium meridian qi gathers. It has the effects of relieving chest tightness, regulating qi, unblocking meridians and promoting lactation.

Massage method: Use the spiral surface of the thumb or middle finger of one hand to apply force on the Tanzhong point, and use the other four fingers to make an empty fist or lightly place them on the body surface, and make small circular movements or gently swing the wrist joints, so that the applied part can drive the subcutaneous tissue in that area to do repeated, rhythmic, gentle and slow circular kneading.

Rugen Point

——It belongs to the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming, directly below the nipple, in the 5th intercostal space: it has the functions of dredging meridians and activating collaterals, promoting qi circulation and relieving depression, unblocking local qi and blood, and promoting milk secretion.

Massage method: Place your palm on the breast, with the thumb on the breast and the other four fingers under the breast. Use the pads of your middle and ring fingers to press and rub this acupoint with a little force.

Zusanli acupoint

——On the outer side of the calf, 3 inches below the outer kneecap, and 1 finger width away from the front edge of the tibia: it has the function of strengthening the spleen and stomach, and promoting the production and secretion of milk.

Massage method: Use the index finger and middle finger to focus on the Zusanli acupoint, press down, and rub it to produce a feeling of soreness, numbness, and swelling.

Gently massage each acupoint in a clockwise direction for 1 minute. Each massage should last for 15 minutes. The intensity should be such that the skin becomes slightly red.

In addition, we should form good feeding habits, advocate early breastfeeding, regular breastfeeding, and promote milk secretion. Breastfeed frequently and try to ensure breastfeeding every 2-3 hours. Let the baby decide the duration of breastfeeding and advocate "breastfeeding on demand". Every sucking of the baby is directly telling the brain to produce milk! Produce milk! Produce milk!

At the same time, you should also pay attention to breast cleanliness to avoid infection. Mothers should also pay attention to diet, avoid sour and cold foods to avoid stagnation of Qi. Avoid spicy and irritating foods to prevent loss of Qi and blood. Finally, you must stay optimistic and in a good mood. Too much tension and anxiety will also affect the secretion of milk.

Of course, there are individual differences in insufficient milk supply, and some new mothers still have little milk supply after trying various methods. At this time, don't blame yourself too much or be too stressed, just let nature take its course.

Author: Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Health Care Hospital

Wu Shengnan Attending Physician