5 Effective Methods to Boost Breast Milk Supply Safely and Successfully

Many cases, especially with mothers who have undergone cesarean section, often experience low milk supply after giving birth. Now, mothers no longer need to worry about this issue with the following methods to boost milk supply after c-section that we're going to discuss right away.

Low Breast Milk Supply: Causes and Consequences for Mothers

For postpartum mothers, there are many reasons leading to low milk supply. Understanding the issue will help mothers quickly find the most effective solutions. Let's take a look at some reasons causing low milk supply after childbirth:

1. 1. Maternal Exhaustion: After enduring nine months of pregnancy along with the exhausting process of childbirth, mothers experience significant physical strain. Moreover, caring for a newborn continues to impose a lot of pressure, leading to conditions such as sleep deprivation and depression. This exhaustion can hinder the body from producing enough milk for the baby, and the milk ducts may gradually weaken, potentially leading to milk loss.

1. Improper Nutrition: This situation occurs in mothers who fear gaining weight after childbirth and may excessively restrict their diet or consume foods that can lead to reduced milk supply, such as bamboo shoots, salty eggplants, betel leaves, etc.
2. Stress and Depression Affect Milk Production Reflex: Postpartum stress and depression are common mental health issues among mothers. Prolonged depression weakens the mother's body, making it inadequate to produce milk. If produced, the quality of milk may also be insufficient. Additionally, inadequate milk supply can further exacerbate maternal stress, creating a vicious cycle.
3. Motherhood-related Breast Disorders and Endocrine Disorders: Breast-related conditions such as blocked milk ducts, breast engorgement, severe nipple cracks, or postpartum breast surgery can all contribute to low milk supply and gradual milk loss.

Some other reasons for low breast milk supply:

• Improper pumping or breastfeeding technique
• Infrequent breastfeeding: Regular breastfeeding stimulates the mammary glands to produce more milk with better quality.
• Insufficient feeding sessions
• Excessive use of antibiotics while breastfeeding
• Poor nipple hygiene leading to blocked milk ducts...

Prolonged low milk supply can lead to consequences such as:

• Permanent loss of breast milk production in mothers;
• Slow weight gain in babies;
• Frequent illnesses in babies due to nutrient deficiency and antibiotic use...

Most Effective Ways to Boost Breast Milk Supply in Mothers

Hand Expression Technique - Breast Massage

Breast massage is not only an effective way to boost mother's milk supply but also helps prevent breast cancer. It's also a method that mothers can use in cases of blocked milk ducts or breast engorgement due to prolonged milk accumulation.

Benefits of using the breast massage technique:

• Improved blood circulation in the breasts;
• Reduced postpartum pain for mothers;
• Enhanced milk flow, stimulating the mammary glands to produce milk more frequently and abundantly;
• Reduced stretch marks.

Steps to perform the breast massage technique correctly:

• Preparation: 1 basin of warm water, 1 soft towel;
• Soak the towel in water, apply it to the breasts and gently massage in a circular motion clockwise;
• Repeat this process twice a day for 10-15 minutes each time;
• The final step is for the mother to drink a glass of warm water or milk. You will quickly notice a change in the amount of milk produced for your baby.

Stimulating Milk Production by Direct Breastfeeding

The sooner the baby breastfeeds, the better for milk production in mothers. Each feeding session should be spaced about 2 hours apart. This helps ensure that the mother's mammary glands function smoothly. If the baby sleeps for more than 3 hours, the mother should wake the baby to breastfeed. During each breastfeeding session, the mother should have skin-to-skin contact, maintain a close distance between herself and the baby, and incorporate gentle gestures. This encourages the body to actively produce milk.

Direct breastfeeding is the top priority if mothers want abundant breast milk.

Using Medications to Stimulate Mother's Milk Production

Here, we refer to mother's milk stimulants as gentle herbal remedies that boost maternal health and stimulate the body to produce more milk for the baby.

• Use a dash of spices like ginger, garlic in daily meals;
• Carrots and sweet potatoes, not only are they digestive-friendly foods, but they also contain beta-carotene, phytoestrogens, two essential nutrients for the breastfeeding process;
• Beneficial breastfeeding grains such as roasted and finely ground beans with high protein content help the mother's body recover quickly and produce good quality milk for the baby;
• Some natural leaves such as ginseng leaves, mugwort, dandelion leaves can be used to make tea, increasing milk production in mothers.

Experience with Using Breast Pumps to Stimulate Milk Production

This is a product found abundantly in the market. However, mothers should only choose to purchase from reputable mother and baby stores. The price range of breast pumps varies from a few hundred to a few million dong per unit.

The mechanism of the pump is to apply pressure to the mammary glands, stimulating the body to produce milk. If there is excess milk after the baby is fed, mothers can store it in the refrigerator for later use. Very convenient, isn't it!

So, should mothers pump or breastfeed directly?   

Using a breast pump method has never been rated as good as proper direct breastfeeding. However, this is the best 'life-saving' method whenever a mother has low milk supply.

Folk remedies to help mothers produce more milk after childbirth

• Stimulate milk production with banana leaves: Heat banana leaves and wrap them around the breasts or soak them in salt water, then drink the water daily to ensure more concentrated milk production;
• Massage breasts with sticky rice: Cook sticky rice, wrap it in a thick cloth, and apply it around the breasts, you can enhance the effect with gentle massage movements;
• White wine yeast mixture: Mothers use yeast blocks for brewing mixed with white wine to create a viscous mixture. Apply this mixture to the breasts, avoiding the nipple area, gently massage until the breasts warm up. Then, remember to clean thoroughly to avoid nipple contamination.

There are many more methods to enhance mother's milk production, making it more concentrated and fragrant. Mothers can refer to the article: https://www.Mytour.vn/blog/10-meo-hay-lam-the-nao-an-gi-de-sua-me-dac-thom-va-mat-hon.html

Scientifically reasonable breastfeeding schedule for mothers

Every day, mothers should aim to pump milk at least 8 times, with intervals of 2-3 hours each time. Each pumping session should not exceed 30 minutes. Make sure not to skip any sessions.

If feeling tired during the day, mothers should feed the baby on schedule. Then, at night, mothers can stretch the intervals between feedings or let the baby sleep after feeding to have more rest time.  

In fact, this schedule is for the early postpartum period when breast milk production is still low. When the milk supply becomes stable, mothers can reduce pumping to 4-5 times a day with intervals of 4-5 hours each.

Tips for mothers when using breastfeeding techniques

1. Avoid using breastfeeding techniques immediately within 2-3 days after childbirth. This may cause adverse effects. It's best to wait until the baby breastfeeds regularly, and the milk ducts are clear before attempting to stimulate milk production. Mothers should breastfeed the baby within the first 30 minutes after birth if nothing unusual happens.
2. Mothers' diet and nutrition directly affect the quantity and quality of milk produced for the baby. Mother's daily diet should include all 5 essential nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
3. Soup and mineral water help mothers stay hydrated and increase milk production.

It is hoped that the insights shared here on stimulating lactation and tips to increase milk supply will be beneficial for mothers. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for infants and young children, so mothers should remember to enhance the quality of their milk with appropriate foods!

Recommended articles for mothers:

• Should mothers consume yogurt postpartum?
• Proper breastfeeding techniques and 5 special considerations for mothers to know
• Effective remedies for clogged milk ducts using ginseng leaves