How to stimulate lactation?

This beautiful moment has come when, after many weeks of preparation, none other than your little miracle has appeared in the world. This is a great event in the world of my mother, whose body has been preparing for this important role for months. However, the euphoria caused by the arrival of the baby can be disturbed by problems that occur at this stage, which the expectant mother had not thought about before. 

One of them may be a breastfeeding problem. How to support and stimulate lactation? In the article below, we will try to provide you with the most important information about proven ways to support lactation.

What is lactation?  

In order to properly present the topic of stimulating lactation, let's start with the basics, i.e. explaining what lactation is all about. This is probably not the first time you have come across this concept, and if you are pregnant, you may have already encountered this phenomenon.

Lactation is a process related to the production and secretion of food by a woman's body. The first food, the so-called Colostrum is produced during pregnancy and can appear even around week 16, although it usually occurs closer to week 20 of pregnancy. However, it is not seen in all women, so if you have not noticed colostrum you have nothing to worry about.

Prolactin and oxytocin and stimulation of lactation

The lactation process is regulated by hormones, especially during this period: oxytocin and prolactin.

Prolactyna

First of them - prolactin, is responsible for the milk production process. This hormone is produced by the pituitary gland when it receives a message from stimulated sensory nerves that are present in the nipple and areola. Therefore, it is important to put your baby to the breast as often as possible. The suckling reflex of the baby next to the breast is a stimulus to the brain that indicates the need for food. And this is something that definitely supports lactation. As a result, properly stimulated breasts produce an adequate amount of milk.

Oxytocin

Presence oxytocinon the other hand, it affects the contraction of the cells surrounding the milk alveoli, and thus the outflow of milk from the breast. It is directly related to the mother's well-being, whether she is relaxed and refreshed. Remember that stress and fatigue will not be your allies on the way to the proper support of lactation.

Can there be too little food?

For a "new mom" who has decided to breastfeed, it is very important to feel that her baby is fed. Sometimes, however, when a toddler is restless, often cries, or does not fall asleep after feeding, a woman may have the impression that there is not enough milk in her breasts and may start to consider what and how to support lactation. In most cases, however, this is not true. It rarely happens that the female body is unable to produce the amount of food that is appropriate for the baby's needs. And it has nothing to do with the size of the breasts.

Some things change during the lactation process:

• After lactation is stabilized at an appropriate level (about 4 weeks), the breasts may become soft. And that does not mean that they immediately became empty. They just don't fill up with food as intensely as they did in the early days after birth.
• The woman does not lose food suddenly. If you have the impression that your baby is not eating, before you start using home methods for lactation, think about whether it is related to the blockage of the oxytocin reflex (i.e. the flow of milk from the breast).
• Remember that breast milk is digested faster than artificial milk, so a breastfed baby may need to feed more often.
• A toddler who is developing properly may periodically require an increased amount of feedings due to the so-called developmental leaps associated with his greater appetite. Mom's body may take a few days to adapt to the new needs of the little one, but this is not a reason to worry. Everything will be settled in a moment. You should be patient during this time and, above all, stay calm.

In order not to worry that your baby is not eating, you can check your baby's weight gain after a week or so. If we are observing an increase within the normal range, you should not wonder how to support lactation.

What if food is really lacking?

Inadequate emptying of the breast can result from the baby's ineffective suckling of the breast, insufficient frequency and length of feedings, and also from an inappropriate feeding technique. It is important to check in the child whether the ineffective suckling is not caused by the shortened sublingual frenulum.

Too little food you produce can have many causes. They may also include: fatigue, stress, taking certain medications, hormonal disorders, and smoking.

Proper initiation of lactation: what supports lactation

In order for your baby to be breastfed, it is important to initiate lactation correctly. A young mother should take care of several important aspects that will undoubtedly contribute to ensuring the proper feeding process:

• After delivery, mother and newborn babies should be allowed skin-to-skin contact. It should happen as soon as possible. After caesarean section, if it is possible, the baby should appear with mum in the recovery room, or right after the mother is transported to the recovery room.
• During skin-to-skin contact, it is important to attach your baby to the breast as soon as possible. And it should be done in the shortest possible time after giving birth.
• The frequency of feeding, after the end of the first day, should be 8-12 times a day, also at night, even if it requires awakening the baby from sleep, at the beginning of lactation, feedings may be much more frequent.
• During one feed, try to do it long enough and evenly. Then put it on both breasts.
• To ensure the comfort of both mother and baby, you should ensure a suitable feeding position. Please note that there are as many feeding positions as there are for mums and babies. The most important thing is that both baby and mum are comfortable and that feeding is effective. Depending on the type of delivery, a new position may be comfortable for a new mum and a multiparous one. After a caesarean section, a lying position is best, then a natural one. Remember that, as after any other operation, also this time - the wound should be protected - in this case the wound after caesarean section.

Home remedies for lactation, or how to stimulate lactation? 

In fact, there are no magic or home remedies for lactation. As we mentioned earlier, the hormones that are produced in connection with the presence of a baby next to your breast are primarily responsible for lactation. The best, and at the same time completely homemade, way to lactate is following a few basic guidelines:

• Frequent latching of the baby to the breast - maintaining regular feedings during the day (approximately every 2-3 hours) and at night (every 3 hours); Let us not forget about feeding at the child's request;
• Correct feeding techniques are preserved;
• During one feeding feed your baby first one breast, then the other. We start the next feeding from the other breast;
• Proven preparations are also recommended, increasing the level of prolactin;
• Also take care of rest, peace, adequate hydration and valuable meals;
• If necessary - do not be afraid to take advantage of support of a lactation advisor or psychologist.

Caesarean section and lactation: how to support lactation?

There are situations in which natural delivery is not possible. In the case of contraindications to natural childbirth, a cesarean section is performed, i.e. an operation. It can be planned, when the decision about the necessity to perform the procedure is made during pregnancy, or urgently - when the indications appear after the beginning of labor.

The fact is that women who have undergone cesarean delivery may experience difficulties initially initiating lactation. However, with proper help and support from the hospital staff, young mothers can safely count on a successful lactation. The type of delivery will in no way affect the length of breastfeeding later.

Problems with lactation after cesarean section

Due to the increasing percentage of pregnancies resolved by caesarean section, it is worth mentioning the most common problems with lactation faced by women:

• Fear of using painkillers while breastfeeding. However, there seems to be no need to endure pain as there are many medications that young mothers can take without fear;
• Disorders of the flow of milk from the breast, which may be related to the stressful situations in which the woman is;
• Delay in the onset of food intake, which may last more than four days;
• In some situations, it is recommended to stimulate lactation in a mechanical way, e.g. with a breast pump. The expressed milk can of course be given to your baby;

One should not forget about the existence of lactation clinics and in case of any problems or doubts, it is worth going there for a consultation.

Source:
https://cnol.kobiety.med.pl