“Breastfeeding is a mother’s gift to herself, her baby, and the earth.”
– Pamela K. Wiggins
Breast milk is considered one of the healthiest substances in existence. It’s the primary source of nutrients for an infant during the first months of life. It contains all vitamins, enzymes, and antibodies that nourish and protect the child and prepare him for the life ahead.
Each mom has a unique path in the journey to motherhood. The same can also be reflected in each mom’s breastfeeding experience, where we have our own story to tell. While some feel empowered, others feel frustrated. As some can provide an adequate supply of milk, others experience a shortage. The amount of breast milk a woman produces depends on various factors. Some are not within our control, but some can be regulated through extra planning and help from our support group.
”The natural power of breastfeeding is one of the greatest wonders of the world.
It is about real love.
It is about caring and celebrating the wondrous joy of nurturing a new life.
It is about enjoying being a woman.”
– Anwar Fazal
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If you’re worried that you’re not producing the adequate amount of milk your precious one needs, know that you’re not alone. Around the world, many moms, at some point in their breast-pumping and feeding journey, had also been in search of ways to increase their milk supply.
In this section, we’ll delve into the different methods you can take to increase breast milk production.
1.) Snuggle & Cuddle
Cuddling, snuggling, and hugging have various benefits for both the baby and the mother, as they stimulate the release of prolactin and oxytocin which are two important hormones in making breastmilk. It is important to keep your baby close to you and hold them skin-to-skin.
2.) Nurse often
Always feed on demand. This means that every time your baby is hungry, you feed them. Feeding your new baby 8 to 12 times a day helps establish and maintain milk production.
3.) Stay well-hydrated & Eat a balanced diet
Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day and choose nutritious food that will provide you energy. This includes protein and fat-rich foods like oatmeal (with coconut oil), yogurt, eggs, and veggies. Look for foods that are rich in Vitamins B and C (like salmon, leafy vegetables, and berries), all of this can aid in increasing your milk supply.
4.) Get enough rest and sleep
An exhausted, underfed mom will have a hard time supplying efficient milk to her baby
5.) Pump between feedings
This aids in increasing milk production. Warming breasts before pumping can help you feel more comfortable and pump easier. You should always make sure that your baby empties your breast on one side before going to the other. If not, make sure to manually pump milk after nursing the baby to make sure the breast gets empty. That’s how your body can produce more breastmilk. Try pumping whenever:
- There’s leftover milk after feeding.
- Your baby missed a feeding
6.) Manage emotional factors such as anxiety and stress, and potentially dangerous factors such as cigarettes and alcohol
Strive to create a safe and relaxing environment that can make your breastfeeding experience worthwhile and enjoyable and thus, help increase breast milk production.
7.) Consult your physician
This is probably the most important tip. This is advisable for you to know the main cause of inadequate milk production and receive expert opinions on how to go about it.
Breast milk is like a well that never stops giving.
– Titilayo Medunoye
While we often hear about moms struggling with an inadequate supply of milk, it’s also very usual for other moms to have excessive production. So, if you’re pumping milk and you suddenly realize that you’re producing more than what your baby needs, or if you find yourself at the end of your breastfeeding journey but you still have a fridge full of milk, consider these ideas and put your invaluable liquid gold to use.
1. Donate your excess milk
Donating breast milk is an awesome way to help infants and moms who need it most. You can actually save lives by donating your breast milk, especially for premature infants and newborns with illnesses such as gastrointestinal problems.
2. Make soap from breastmilk
Know why the present production of breast milk soap has been growing in popularity!
Click here to Check Out This Easy & Practical Guide In Making Breast Milk Soap
3. Mix breast milk with solid food
Mixing breast milk with your baby’s first solid foods is a clever way to introduce unfamiliar elements. With breast milk being the base, your baby will feel comfortable as the texture and taste will be familiar to them.
4. Make breast milk ice pops
These are particularly beneficial for teething babies and can also be a summer treat for toddlers.
5. Use breastmilk as fertilizer
The proteins from breast milk aids in making the soil nitrogen-rich. This will make the soil healthier and plants grow better.
TAKEAWAY:
Breastmilk is truly one of the most valuable gifts to humans! It offers immense health benefits to both the mother and child. It’s available on-demand and is free of charge. Its benefits are so incredible that every drop really counts and should never be wasted.
“When you hold a child to your breast to nurse,
the curve of the little head echoes exactly the curve of the breast it suckles,
as though this new person truly mirrors the flesh from which it sprang.”
– Diana Gabaldon