10 mistakes that nursing mothers make while breastfeeding

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Mature lactation is one of the stages of natural feeding. The longest period when the production of mother's milk occurs in consistently equal portions exactly in the volume that the child needs. Lactation begins on average 3 months after birth and lasts until the end of feeding.

Lactation period - what is it?

Lactation is a natural physiological process of producing a specific nutrient - mother's (breast) milk. The lactation period lasts from the end of labor and the first attachment of the baby to the breast until milk production stops. According to research data and recommendations from obstetrician-gynecologists, a baby should be put to the breast immediately after birth.

Despite this, the mammary gland does not immediately begin to secrete milk immediately after childbirth. However, the mother’s body synthesizes colostrum, which is beneficial for the child’s body, and plays a huge role in the development of children’s immunity.

Lactation, as a physiological process, begins approximately 2-3 days after the end of childbirth. At this time, a woman may begin to experience uncomfortable and even painful sensations: pressure in the chest, enlarged mammary glands, slight nagging pain. This is a physiological norm.

From the moment breast milk appears, the baby should be put to the breast as often as possible. This is the only way that lactation can become quite stable. Neither pumping nor other methods will help establish stable lactation. Otherwise, there is a risk that the milk will go to waste.

14 to 21 days after birth, the next phase of the lactation period begins, the so-called “mature lactation.” In some cases, it may occur later - after 1-1.5 months.

During this phase, there is no longer a need to feed the baby as often as possible. Lactation is stable, which means the baby can be placed at the breast as required. The intervals between each subsequent feeding should be about 2 hours (at least). In the future, as lactation comes to an end, breaks should be increased to 4 hours.

Only in this single case will the entire period of breastfeeding be as comfortable and beneficial as possible, both for the child and for the mother herself.

How to speed up development

The timing of lactation is individual for each organism. There are no recommendations for accelerating its formation, but there are general rules, adhering to which, it is easier to ensure that the process of establishing natural feeding is as comfortable as possible for both mother and child.

Firstly, feeding on demand is the key to providing the baby with a sufficient amount of milk and producing milk in proportion to the infant’s needs. You should avoid supplementary feeding and resort to pumping only if necessary. Secondly, it is necessary to maintain a normal drinking regime. Thirdly, the mother’s good psychological state and the absence of stress will ensure normal lactation and sufficient milk production.

A little about lactation as a physiological process

As mentioned, lactation is a natural process during which the synthesis, accumulation and further release of a specific nutrient - mother's milk - occurs. Lactation is an extremely complex process. It is caused by the production of a number of hormones. The main active substance affecting milk production is the pituitary hormone prolactin.

It directly affects the mammary glands, giving them a “command” to produce milk. The intensity of production directly depends on the concentration of the hormone in the blood. Milk accumulates in the glands themselves and in the so-called milk ducts, through which the milk comes out.

Another hormone important for lactation is oxytocin. This active substance is intensively produced during the process of suckling by the baby of the mother's breast. When muscles contract, milk leaves the body faster. The hormone does not directly affect the intensity of milk production, but it helps it to be evacuated faster, which means it prevents stagnation of milk and the development of such dangerous complications as lactostasis and mastitis. In addition, oxytocin helps to contract the muscles of the uterus, and therefore quickly stop postpartum bleeding.

The first two to three days after birth, mothers do not yet produce milk, but colostrum is released. In some cases, colostrum begins to be synthesized during gestation.

It is important to keep in mind: during stimulation of the mammary glands, the hormone oxytocin is released, so women who have colostrum late in pregnancy should not express it. Oxytocin promotes uterine contractions and the onset of premature labor.

Colostrum is replaced by mother's milk approximately 3-5 days after the baby is born.

In the first days of life, colostrum is enough for the baby. You should not supplement your baby with formula milk or anything else.

Popular questions related to lactation

Is it possible to get pregnant during lactation?

In order to get pregnant, a certain hormonal background is required. During lactation, a woman’s body synthesizes hormones that inhibit reproductive function. These hormones are almost 100% likely to prevent re-pregnancy immediately after childbirth. The concentration of specific hormones in the blood increases the more often a woman breastfeeds her baby. Therefore, frequent breastfeeding reduces the risk of pregnancy during lactation.

However, in some cases there are exceptions. Thus, due to physiological characteristics, in some women (about 10% of the total) reproductive function is fully preserved even during lactation.

Other young mothers need to follow two recommendations to exclude pregnancy:

• You should breastfeed your baby at least 8 times a day. The maximum interval between feedings should be 4-5 hours. It is optimal to adhere to the above scheme and put the baby to the breast as often as possible.
• Do not introduce complementary foods ahead of time or give your baby a pacifier.

If at least one of the two requirements presented is not met, the woman should take contraceptives, since there is a high risk of another pregnancy.

When do periods begin after lactation?

Menstruation is the completion of a natural cyclical process during which eggs mature in the ovary and are released into the fallopian tubes, where they await fertilization, and the uterine endometrium prepares the “soil” for the future embryo. If conception does not occur, the “soil” is rejected and bleeding occurs. Menstruation, like pregnancy and lactation, is stimulated by specific female hormones.

During lactation, the pituitary hormone prolactin is actively produced. It is prolactin that is responsible for stimulating the mammary gland. At the same time, prolactin suppresses ovarian function, and eggs do not mature. This is what causes the inability to get pregnant.

For the same reason, the time frame in which the menstrual cycle returns to its normal “course” depends mainly on how often the woman breastfeeds and what the concentration of prolactin in the blood is.

If breastfeeding continues throughout the entire lactation period, we can talk about several months. As soon as lactation stops, the eggs mature again.

Therefore, keep in mind that when taking specialized medications and herbal infusions aimed at suppressing lactation (for reference, their action is based on suppressing the production of prolactin), as well as when breastfeeding is stopped prematurely, the menstrual cycle is restored much faster.

What to do if your nipple hurts during lactation?

When a baby is applied correctly to the breast, pain is extremely rare.

There may be several causes of pain and discomfort:

• A woman places her baby incorrectly to her breast. Most often, this problem occurs in inexperienced mothers. There can be many variations in this situation: incorrect posture, accustoming the child to the pacifier, as a result of which the child begins to suck incorrectly. The solution to the problem is very simple - seek help from a specialist. The best option would be a consultation directly in the maternity hospital, or with a specialized doctor. Relying on illustrated diagrams and pictures is not entirely reasonable, since it is impossible to track the process over time, and new errors may arise;
• Improper nipple care. Such a delicate anatomical structure as the nipple requires delicate and careful care. However, women often wash their breasts with aggressive substances (soap), treat them with alcohol solutions, etc. This is a big mistake. You need to select special care products and apply special creams to your nipples to prevent cracks and soften the skin;
• Cracked nipples. If the baby is not latched on correctly or there is insufficient hygiene, the nipples may crack. Cracks can also form for natural physiological reasons. (Cracks in the nipples during feeding - what to do, how to treat? Ointments, creams);
• Diseases and pathologies. The cause of pain in the nipples may be hidden in the presence of diseases. Lactostasis, mastitis, nerve damage, etc. In this case, the way to deal with discomfort is to get rid of the underlying disease.

What are the consequences of smoking during lactation?

Many women have such a harmful habit as addiction to nicotine. Even during pregnancy and lactation, a woman cannot give up cigarettes. It has been unequivocally proven that the quality of milk decreases, and, consequently, the effect on the child’s body if the mother smokes is incredibly harmful. To reduce the risk of developing pathologies during gestation, as well as to guarantee the normal development of the child, you can only completely give up smoking in advance. Reducing the number of cigarettes per day will not help here.

A child's consumption of milk from a smoking mother leads to the following consequences:

• Destruction of the nervous system. After the birth of a child, his nervous system still continues to actively form. Nicotine “hits” the nervous system, causing it to become overstimulated. The child becomes anxious, constantly fussing and crying. In the future, the development of severe neurological diseases is possible;
• Respiratory and immune system. Children who eat milk containing nicotine are more susceptible to developing allergic reactions, as well as diseases of the lungs and bronchi: asthma, bronchitis, etc. The reason for this is not only the consumption of poisoned milk, but also inhalation of cigarette smoke. The child becomes a passive smoker from the very first days of life;
• Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. In almost one hundred percent of cases, when drinking milk containing nicotine, problems with the gastrointestinal tract develop, in the first stages they manifest themselves as colic. More severe pathologies are possible in the future;
• Immunity disorders. The immunity of children of smokers is significantly weakened, since the body spends all its strength fighting such an aggressive substance as nicotine;
• Disorders of the cardiovascular system. When consuming milk poisoned by nicotine, a child may develop hypertension, heart defects, arrhythmias, and a host of other dangerous pathologies.

The process of lactation in a woman is not a simple matter. Preparation for it begins during pregnancy, goes through several stages, requires the participation of many hormones and depends on many factors. Let's try to figure out how lactation and breastfeeding happen step by step.

Already during pregnancy, a woman’s body begins to undergo changes that will ensure milk production after the birth of the child. Right now, thanks to hormonal changes, the formation of milk ducts and special alveoli cells that produce milk occurs in the mammary gland. Due to the changes that occur, the breast may increase in size, and the area around the nipple - the areola - may become darker. The nipple itself becomes more elastic, and sometimes its sensitivity to touch or pressure from clothing increases. Beginning in the second half of pregnancy, some women may experience fluid discharge from the breasts. This is normal and should not worry you. Only in some cases, if the discharge is very heavy, breast pads may be required to protect the underwear. What should a woman do to prepare for breastfeeding? You don’t need anything special, now nature itself does everything for you. Even if you have a flat nipple, you should know that the baby will suck on the areola area, and in this case it is only important to pay special attention to the correct attachment to the breast. With the exception of very rare cases, when there are physiological characteristics of the breast that may complicate the process of breastfeeding, special measures for hardening or training the breast are not required. Moreover, in late pregnancy, nipple irritation can cause uterine contractions and lead to premature birth. It is much more useful for an expectant mother to learn more about breastfeeding itself, perhaps talk to nursing mothers, read, or listen to special lectures.

Immediately after the birth of a child, the body experiences a strong hormonal “explosion”, which is a signal to start the process of milk formation. In the first days, this special milk is colostrum, a thicker liquid, yellowish or even orange in color. Colostrum, although it is released in small quantities, is very beneficial for a newborn baby. Its composition is characterized by a high protein content and a low fat level. Colostrum also contains a significantly higher content of the entire complex of natural antioxidants - vitamins A, E, beta-carotene, zinc, selenium, and many growth factors that stimulate development. The purpose of such nutrition is to help the baby adapt to new living conditions, to give him good immune protection, in particular, the immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, etc. contained in colostrum. At the same time, it contains little liquid so as not to overload the newborn’s kidneys. Colostrum also reduces the manifestation of physiological jaundice and has laxative properties, helping the child get rid of meconium - the original stool. What is important during the period of colostrum feeding, which lasts about 3 days? The main thing is to understand how valuable these first drops of colostrum are for a newborn. It is advisable that the baby be put to the breast 15-60 minutes after birth. It is important not to limit the duration of sucking, since it is breast stimulation that promotes the production of hormones responsible for the sufficiency of lactation. A newborn baby can suck chaotically, without a clear routine, and take pauses in sucking to rest. Do not be alarmed that your child does not have enough food - the nutritional value of colostrum is very high and he himself is not yet able to cope with large volumes. The weight loss of a newborn, which occurs in the first days and can amount to up to 10% of birth weight, is called physiological and is not an indication for the introduction of formula feeding or supplementary glucose supplementation. When foreign fluids are introduced, the baby does not receive many invaluable substances necessary for his health and development. What difficulties may arise in breastfeeding? Some women find it difficult to put their baby to the breast. Moreover, this is often even related to the shape of the breast or nipple itself; the whole point is simply a lack of breastfeeding skill. You should look in advance and learn how to breastfeed your baby. Or ask for help from experienced women - medical staff in the maternity hospital, lactation consultants, or any women who have successfully breastfed their children. If pain occurs when sucking, or even injuries appear (abrasions, cracks, blisters), this is a sign that the baby is not latching properly. In this case, it helps to keep the breasts in the open air as much as possible, using healing agents (it is better to select them individually in each specific case). And the most important thing is to correct the application. With proper latching, the nipple is located deep in the baby’s mouth, the areola is grasped approximately 2-3 cm, and there is no pain.

From the moment of high tide, when colostrum is replaced by transitional milk , the period of exclusive breastfeeding begins. Usually a hot flash occurs 2-4 days after the birth of a child, sometimes later, on 5-7 days. A lot of milk comes in at once, the breasts become full, heavy, dense. There may be redness or even fever. Usually, the overcrowding goes away within a day or two, and then less milk is produced, as much as the baby needs. Should I pump my breasts during hot flashes? Usually, a woman needs simpler measures: put the baby to the breast correctly as often as possible, let her breastfeed as much as she wants, and slightly limit her drinking. When your baby nurses on demand, it simultaneously stimulates the production of new milk and drains the milk that is already in the breast, preventing overfilling. If the mother pumps additionally at the time of the tide, the breast may decide that this milk has gone to the newborn and will continue to produce it in large quantities.

Transitional milk is produced in the breast before mature milk appears, that is, up to 3 weeks . Sometimes during this period a woman may experience repeated flows of milk. Mature human milk has its own unique properties, making it an ideal and unique nutrition for the baby. One of the main advantages of breast milk is its special composition. It contains all the nutrients necessary for a child’s growing body in sufficient quantities, the correct ratio and in an easily digestible form. For example, breast milk proteins are 80% alpha-lactoalbumin and lactoferrin, which are sources of all essential amino acids and are easily digestible, unlike cow's milk proteins, which contain 80% casein and 20% beta-lactoglobulins, which often cause allergic reactions in children 85% of carbohydrates in human milk are beta-lactose, which is slowly digested and thereby promotes the growth of beneficial microflora, in particular bifidobacteria. Fats in breast milk are represented by an optimal fatty acid composition (contain linoleic, alpha-linolenic, arachidonic and other fatty acids), and are sources of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E. Human milk fats are easily most fully absorbed due to their form of finely divided particles, and the content of a special enzyme - lipase. The digestibility of iron from human milk is unique - 50%, while only 10% of iron is absorbed from infant formula. Thus, breast milk prevents the development of anemia in the baby. As for biologically active substances, mother’s milk has no competition at all. A huge number of hormones (prolactin, oxytocin, thyroid hormones, corticosteroids, etc.), enzymes (lipase and alpha-amylase), as well as protective ones (lactoferrin, immunoglobulin A, lysozyme, macrophages, antibacterial and antiviral factors, prebiotics, etc.) and growth factors simply cannot be replicated artificially. And finally, breast milk is unique in composition for each woman and each child will have its own unique balance of nutrients, suitable specifically for that child. How can a mother’s diet or health affect the composition of her milk? It is worth noting that, according to research, the content of calcium, zinc, iron, protein, energy and vitamin D in milk does not depend on the nutrition of a nursing mother. But the content of iodine, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C and B vitamins does depend. In a varied diet, all these substances are supplied in sufficient quantities with food, so additional administration in the form of dosage forms is not required. Therefore, it is simply enough for a nursing mother to eat nutritiously and variedly, without overeating. It is important that a woman receives enough fluid as much as she wants. Only foods with a high degree of allergenicity (for example, fish, eggs, chocolate, citrus fruits, etc.) should be limited (not completely eliminated!) in the diet. If a woman gets sick, then her milk does not become dangerous for the baby. On the contrary, along with milk, the mother transfers antibodies to the baby, thereby helping his immature immune system and protecting him from diseases. Only in special cases with serious illnesses is it recommended to stop breastfeeding. Since medications pass into milk, if drug treatment is necessary, you should ask your doctor to prescribe a drug that is compatible with breastfeeding.

finally established 1-3 months after birth , depending on the individual characteristics of the woman and feeding conditions. When the breasts adapt to milk production, the sensation of hot flashes disappears. Externally, the breasts become soft, as if empty. It may seem to a woman that there is less milk, but the breast produces as much milk as the baby needs. The period of exclusive breastfeeding lasts until the baby is old enough to introduce complementary foods, which is associated with the maturation of enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract and the readiness of the digestive system to absorb other foods. What difficulties associated with breastfeeding may arise at this stage? So-called lactostasis may occur - stagnation of milk in the breast. Signs of lactostasis are: the appearance of a lump in any part of the mammary gland, soreness, redness of the skin, and often an increase in temperature, especially near the sore breast. Since the cause of milk stagnation is always a deterioration in its outflow from the breast, the main measures for the treatment of lactostasis and its prevention should be aimed at improving the outflow. It is important to breastfeed your baby often, not to limit the sucking time, and at the same time to monitor the correct attachment, since this allows the milk to be sucked out more efficiently. You need to be careful with the advice to “break up lumps” or “be sure to strain your breasts,” because breast tissue is very delicate and can be easily injured. You should also be careful when using various folk compresses on the breasts; many of them are intended to treat more serious problems with the breasts, and do not help against stagnation of milk, and may even cause harm. What to do if the baby doesn’t have enough milk? Sometimes women begin to suspect that they have a lack of milk: “I’m not a milk mother,” “The baby hasn’t gained much, there’s probably not enough milk or it’s low-fat,” “He cries a lot and often asks for the breast, apparently, hungry.” Most of these suspicions turn out to be false, since any mother is able to breastfeed her baby, and only in 3% of cases is lactation reduced and the child will need to supplement (and not replace!) nutrition with supplementary feeding. You can determine the sufficiency of nutrition by the number of urinations of the child and weekly weight gain. The daily norm is considered to be 10-12 urinations and a weight gain of 120-500 grams per week. Most often, a decrease in milk production is associated with improper feeding. A woman should know that lactation is ongoing, so there is no point in taking long breaks in feeding, trying to “accumulate” more milk. On the contrary, by frequently offering the baby the breast, the mother provides him with sufficient nutrition and at the same time stimulates milk production. Since milk is heterogeneous in composition and hindmilk contains more fat, it is important not to limit the duration of suckling on one breast, allowing the baby to get enough. And according to WHO recommendations, there is no need to supplement the baby with water or other liquids. With breast milk, he receives enough fluid, and any water reduces the amount of milk the baby sucks and has no nutritional value. By establishing proper breastfeeding, a woman is able to avoid problems with a lack of milk. And for a nursing woman, it is also important to have the support of others to increase confidence in her ability to breastfeed and to be confident in the naturalness of breastfeeding. Therefore, it is useful to communicate with mothers who breastfeed with pleasure and have successful experience.

Around 6 months with the introduction of complementary foods, the period of transitional nutrition begins . It is at this age that the child is ready to learn and assimilate new types of food, except milk. There is a gradual transition to regular food, which includes not only introducing the baby to new types of foods, but also mastering chewing skills and techniques for handling dishes and cutlery. The child’s task is to gradually move from liquid food to a regular family diet. During the transition period, the introduction of food products adapted for age in consistency and composition is required. Therefore, complementary foods should, on the one hand, be denser in consistency than breast milk, and on the other hand, such that the child can swallow it. The need for transitional foods continues until approximately 1 year of age, until the child is mature enough to eat regular home-cooked foods. At the same time, milk does not lose its value and continues to be a complete nutrition for the baby. Breastfed babies may develop a positive response to solid foods more quickly than formula-fed babies because the former are accustomed to the different flavors and smells passed on through breast milk. Should the introduction of complementary foods mean the end of breastfeeding? No, because with milk the child continues to receive many important substances that cannot be obtained from food. In particular, these are growth factors necessary for the development of the baby’s growing body, taurine, which promotes the growth of the neuroretina of the eye and brain, as well as vitamins and microelements. Throughout the second year of life, 448 ml of breast milk provides 29% of energy needs, 43% of protein needs, 36% of calcium needs, 75% of vitamin A needs, 76% of folate needs (folic acid derivatives), 94% of needs in vitamin B12, 60% of the needs for vitamin C. The role of breast milk in protection against diseases due to the immune factors it contains remains important. For example, the content of secretory immunoglobulin A in human milk per year is 1 mg/ml, and at 2 years - 1.1 mg/ml, that is, increases compared to 6 months (0.5 mg/ml). By continuing breastfeeding after a year, the mother helps the baby grow healthy and develop.

The stage of completion of feeding ideally occurs after the child is 2 years old, as his need to attach to the breast decreases, and proceeds smoothly. The amount of milk produced decreases, and at the same time its composition changes. Even if the baby does not breastfeed for 12-24 hours, milk overflow does not occur, and the breast remains soft. Completion of feeding during this period will take place physiologically, naturally and without traumatic consequences for mother and child. How does breastfeeding end naturally? Gradually, the child is put to the breast less and less often, during the day he eats with everyone at the table, sucking remains for falling asleep and for psychological comfort, for example, calming, which also go away over time. By the age of 3-4 years, the baby’s needs to satisfy the sucking reflex fade away and he no longer needs his mother’s breast as an object for sucking. In parallel, the final maturation of the child’s digestive, nervous, immune and other systems occurs. He grows up and is able to eat, be satisfied and absorb regular food from the family table. Having accumulated immunoglobulins obtained from mother's milk, the child receives a supply to protect against harmful factors. And also, by about 3 years, he realizes himself as an individual, strives for independence and is ready for psychological separation from his mother. At the same time, the woman’s lactation decreases and stopping feeding does not lead to problems with the breasts and will not affect her health. For each mother-child pair, the end date for breastfeeding will be different, depending on their personal psychological and physiological readiness. At the completion stage, the baby can be attached to the breast 1-3 times a day, usually these are night feedings. Sometimes he may forget to take a nap before falling asleep, then he may suddenly remember about the breast after a few days of break. As a result, with the natural completion of feeding, a woman may not notice the exact date of termination of feeding, since everything happens very gently and as if by itself.

Note: This article does not claim to be complete and comprehensive and is more of an overview. Its purpose is to provide brief information on lactation and the stages of breastfeeding, as well as answer the most frequently asked questions among nursing mothers. You can learn more about breastfeeding or solve any problems that arise by contacting lactation consultants by phone or online. We will be happy to help you!

Elena Shmakova, lactation consultant, member of the Interregional Public Organization “Association of Breastfeeding Consultants” (AKEB), mother of five children

How long should you breastfeed your baby?

There is no consensus, both among specialists and among experienced mothers, on this issue. Some believe that you need to breastfeed a child until 1 year, and after a year it is not advisable to do this, some continue feeding longer, and others generally believe that you need to feed a child as much as he wishes.

According to the recommendations of WHO and UNICEF experts, a child should be fed breast milk until two years of age and even longer.

The optimal solution is to feed the baby breast milk for at least the first six months of life. During this time, milk should become the baby's main source of nutrition. After six months, breast milk is no longer able to provide the baby with all the nutrients, and complementary feeding is required.

From the second year, the child begins to eat almost like an adult. In the first and second years of life, milk plays the role of a factor supporting growth and development, but is not absolutely necessary. Moreover, nowadays it is not difficult to choose a high-quality milk formula. Despite this, there is no absolute replacement for breast milk.

Benefits of long-term breastfeeding

There are several advantages of long-term breastfeeding:

• High level of nutritional value. Breast milk is rich in all necessary substances and replacing it, especially in the first months of life, is extremely difficult;
• Stimulation of immune development. Mother's milk promotes the production of specific immunoglobulins;
• Reducing the risk of developing diseases caused by allergies. According to scientific research, the risk of developing allergies is lower in those children who have been fed breast milk for a long time. In addition, mother’s milk itself is not rejected by the child’s body and does not cause an immune reaction;
• Formation of correct bite and development of facial muscles. The sucking reflex contributes to the development of facial muscles and proper bite;
• Optimal physical development.

When should you stop breastfeeding?

You should not stop breastfeeding in two cases:

• If the child is sick or unwell. Children recover faster if they are fed breast milk. With it, children in ready-made form receive the substances necessary to fight the disease, and the body’s immune system itself is strengthened;
• During the hot season (late spring, summer). During such periods, food spoils faster, and the risk of developing poisoning is much higher. Therefore, breast milk is an optimal and complete food product in summer.

Refusal of products and devices that imitate breasts

The World Health Organization does not recommend giving babies objects that resemble their mother's breasts. They cause “nipple disorientation”, which threatens natural feeding.

The use of pacifiers is possible in artificial babies, who should be offered an alternative to the mother's breast to satisfy the sucking reflex.

For infants, this alternative is unacceptable, as it changes the sucking technique and becomes a reason for choosing between the nipple or the breast.

Menu for a young mother to increase lactation

To increase the quantity and quality of breast milk, the mother needs to adhere to a proper diet and consume a number of foods in large quantities:

• Tea. Green or black tea promotes more active milk evacuation;
• Bread with cumin and bran. Cumin seeds increase the amount of milk produced. During lactation, preference should be given not to plain bread, but to bread with bran or caraway seeds;
• Compotes and decoctions from fruits. Decoctions and compotes from dried fruits or fresh berries help increase the vitamin value of breast milk. They should be consumed as often as possible;
• Clean boiled water. Pure boiled water helps increase the volume of milk and at the same time reduce its viscosity. This will help not only the child, but also the mother, as it will reduce the risk of lactostasis;
• Nuts. Walnuts, pine and almonds. You need to limit yourself to 1-2 nuts per day. Only in this case the quality of milk will increase. In large quantities, nuts can harm the baby because they cause gas formation and persistent constipation;
• Herbal teas. Dill, chamomile, etc. contribute to calming the child’s nervous system and its further normal development;
• Lactogonic products. Milk, kefir and other fermented milk products, low-fat cheeses (Adyghe cheese, feta cheese), soups with low-fat broths, vegetables and fruits;
• Fresh juices: carrot, berry;
• Barley decoctions. They also increase the amount of milk produced;
• Radish and honey salads. However, large quantities of radish should be avoided. Radish can cause increased production of intestinal gases in an infant;
• Hercules, oat and buckwheat porridges, or dishes containing these cereals;
• Watermelons and melons;
• Vegetable salads with vegetable oil.

Based on the presented list of products, a nursing mother must independently choose a diet based on her gastronomic preferences. It is important to adhere to the principle of moderation.

Find out more: What can a nursing mother eat?

Folk remedies to increase lactation

There are many folk recipes for increasing lactation. But it’s always worth remembering: what helped one mother may not help or even harm another. Below we provide several recipes that can cause increased lactation. Before use, be sure to consult with your doctor, because all herbs contain essential oils with a stimulating function and biologically active components with a hormone-like effect.

Infusion of fennel fruits, dill seeds and anise

Mix 1 to 1 anise seeds, fennel fruits and dill seeds. Pour 1 teaspoon of the resulting mixture with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 10–15 minutes. Take 3 cups per day.

Infusion of cumin, hops, nettle leaves, dill seeds

Mix 20 g of hops, 25 g of dill and caraway seeds and dried nettle leaves. Take 30–40 g from the mixture, dilute with 1 liter of hot water and leave for 10 minutes. Take 50 ml before or during meals.

Anise seed infusion

Pour 2 teaspoons of anise seeds into a glass of hot water and leave for an hour. Take 2 tablespoons 2-3 times a day.

Compliance with the basic principles of breastfeeding and a positive attitude can help the mother both increase lactation and cope with crises, and maintain breastfeeding for a long period. We recommend that all mothers consult a breastfeeding specialist.