Breastfeeding is a special time in the life of mother and child and experts agree that breast milk is far superior to artificial feeding, which is associated with poorer general health and more infant deaths from diarrhea both in developing and developed countries.

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, gradually introducing solids around this age. Supplemented breastfeeding is recommended up to two years.

Studies show that, in addition to the bonding that mother and baby experience, breastfeeding is associated with increased intelligence in later life and significantly reduces the risk of many diseases, including:

• sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• middle ear infections, colds and flus
• childhood leukemia
• Child diabetes
• asthma and eczema
• dental problems
• obesity
• mental disorders

Breastfeeding is also beneficial to the mother in the following ways:

• Helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and position.
• Reduces postpartum bleeding
• Helps return to pre-pregnancy weight
• Reduces the risk of breast cancer in old age

Unfortunately, even when mothers choose to breastfeed, they often experience difficulties in the supply and production of breast milk. They may also unknowingly have a problem with low-quality breast milk that can cause the baby to not be completely satisfied with feedings.

Breast milk production and supply are not the same and each is influenced by different factors. A mother may have a problem with production (usually hormonal, obstructive, or due to improper feeding habits) or with supply (more often due to poor nutrition or a weak constitution) or both. Sometimes there may not be a problem with the supply or production of breast milk, but the quality of the breast milk may not be enough to satisfy the baby. Traditionally modern medicine only accepted problems of insufficient production, but now with technological advances that allow us to measure the quality of breast milk, it is now accepted that these three problems mentioned above are all real conditions that need to be properly addressed in the breastfeeding mother. .

To understand how to address the problems of low breast milk or insufficient lactation, we must understand how and when breast milk is produced and what factors are involved in the production, supply and quality of breast milk.

How and when breast milk is produced

Breast milk is produced under the influence of certain hormones that are released after birth, these include prolactin and oxytocin. The release of these hormones is directly related to the baby suckling on the breast, which in turn stimulates the nerve endings present in the areola of the breast and causes the release of these hormones from the pituitary gland. Prolactin causes the alveoli or glands within the breast to take nutrients from the blood supply and convert them into breast milk. Oxytocin, on the other hand, is responsible for the contraction of cells around the alveoli and the subsequent release of breast milk through the milk ducts and out through the 15 to 20 openings in each breast.

There are a number of factors that can affect production and therefore result in insufficient or no breast milk, these are categorized as follows:

1. Problems with the secretion of prolactin or oxytocin
2. Obstruction of the milk ducts
3. Fatigue and/or stress resulting in the inability of the muscles to contract and release breast milk

Problems with hormone secretion

It is rare that insufficient lactation can be caused by a problem with the pituitary gland, more often cases of lack of secretion are due to insufficient stimulation of nerve endings by the baby not latching on or sucking properly or, otherwise In fact, it doesn’t suck at all in cases where the baby may be unable to feed or the mother cannot. In these cases, it is recommended to adopt a suitable position and also use a breast pump between feedings to stimulate the production of breast milk.

Obstruction of the milk ducts

Blockage of the milk ducts is a fairly common occurrence and is usually associated with inflammation of the breast (mastitis), but it can be due to other causes, such as injury or previous surgery on the breast, etc. Fortunately, it’s easy to treat, a doctor might prescribe an anti-inflammatory, or you could use natural herbs like mu tong or fenugreek, which has been used traditionally to open the milk ducts, reduce swelling, and promote milk production and flow. Some of the natural supplements to increase breast milk contain these ingredients and they will be discussed later in this article.

Fatigue/Stress

Fatigue and stress can play a role in any disease and is common after childbirth. For some, this can be severe enough to be considered postpartum depression. Both stress and fatigue can affect the function of both prolactin and oxytocin, as energy is required for all bodily functions to occur, including contraction of the muscles responsible for promoting the flow of breast milk. Mothers should get enough sleep and also eat healthy to combat fatigue. Stress can be relieved by enlisting help in caring for the baby from friends and family. Some natural postpartum supplements can also help reduce fatigue and stress. These will be discussed in the supplements section.

The quantity and quality of breast milk largely depends on the state of health and nutrition of the mother. Studies have shown that nutritional status affects the quality rather than the quantity of breast milk, so often a mother will produce enough milk, but the quality and nutritional value of that milk may not be enough to provide optimal growth. for the baby Often the body will be able to provide sufficient protein and fat content for inclusion in breast milk by taking this from the mother’s blood supply and, if necessary, by breaking down the mother’s own protein and fat stores. However, the inclusion of vitamins, minerals and other essential substances will be directly affected by the intake of these substances by mothers. In addition to a healthy and varied diet, dietary supplementation is also recommended to increase the production and supply of quality breast milk, especially when the mother experiences insufficient breast milk to begin with. In the next section, I discuss some of the postpartum herbs and supplements available to increase breast milk production and supply, and which ones are best to use.

Herbs and dietary supplements to increase breast milk production and supply

Fenugreek

Perhaps the most widely used herb to increase breast milk is fenugreek, however it is not the best and certainly not the safest to use. Fenugreek is known in herbal medicine as an herb that is pungent in nature, influences the liver and stimulates smooth muscle contraction, hence its use in conditions of low breast milk where it stimulates contraction of the mammary ducts and , therefore, the release of breast milk. However, you will notice that this is not the only reason why breast milk leaks, and therefore, despite its high use, it is not very effective in most cases and has a number of side effects that should be be taken into account:

• May cause nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
• Fenugreek can also cause a maple syrup odor in urine and sweat.
• Fenugreek can interfere with iron absorption, so people with anemia should avoid it.
• It can upset the balances of various forms of thyroid hormones.
• Fenugreek can aggravate asthma, allergies and diabetes
• Pregnant women should avoid fenugreek, as it is known to stimulate uterine contractions in animal studies and therefore can cause miscarriage.

Fenugreek is useful when stress may be a significant factor in low breast milk production; however, we do not recommend that it be used alone due to its other effects described above. In fact, traditionally, herbs were more often combined with others to limit their toxicities and harmful effects and preserve the beneficial ones. For this reason, we recommend one of the two synergistic formulas below for low breast milk, and in fact, the second supplement can also be used as a general postpartum supplement.

mothers milk tea

This tea is something you can make at home and is a combination of fenugreek, fennel, coriander, blessed thistle, and anise. Although it is better than using fenugreek alone, the tea still retains the ability to stimulate smooth muscle contraction as its main function. However, it contains aniseed and blessed thistle which have the ability to improve digestion and therefore also indirectly improve the quality of breast milk. For more information on mothers milk tea, see: http://www.breastfeeding-problems.com/mothers-milk-tea.html

lactoboost

Lactaboost is a relatively new supplement for postpartum mothers, but it is based on ancient Chinese wisdom as well as recent scientific evidence supporting the use of this formula for lactating mothers. Not only is it good for increasing the quality and quantity of breast milk, as well as treating production problems, but it also has other benefits for mother and baby, including:

• Helps with postpartum depression, weakness and fatigue.
• Improves digestion of babies and eliminates colic
• Helps with weight loss and the return of the uterus to normal after birth.

Traditional Chinese medicine places great emphasis on proper postnatal care and, over a period of hundreds of years, developed and refined herbal formulas for that purpose. Lactaboost is based on several of these formulas and is backed by clinical research confirming the benefits of enhancing and increasing breast milk.

It contains several different herbs, including some that can:

• Relieve mastitis and open mammary ducts (Caulis Akebia, Platycodon root)
• Improve the quality and quantity of breast milk (Angelica Sinensis, Ophiopogonis Radix)
• Strengthen the digestive system (Astragalus, Glycyrrhizae Radix)
• Help with sleep (Caulis Akebia)
• Relieve cramps and colic (Vladimiriae Radix)

However, this supplement, while safe to use while lactating, should not be used during pregnancy, and caution should be exercised in cases of high blood pressure.

More information here: Lactoboost

other therapies

Sometimes the above approaches may not work and it is then helpful to consult with a lactation consultant or other natural therapist who can work with you on an individual basis to prescribe a regimen, remedy, diet plan, etc. to address your specific condition. .

As an example, a Chinese Medicine practitioner will take a history, look at your tongue, and feel your pulse to determine what the root of the problem is. In cases of low breast milk, this may be due to liver qi stagnation, blood deficiency, liver fire causing mastitis, or kidney and digestive weakness. After making a diagnosis, the doctor will compose an individualized formula to treat the root condition and may also add known ingredients to treat the branch or manifestation of the root problem.