Many mothers nowadays experience insufficient breast milk, which can lead to the baby not being full and affect their overall development. If a mother finds that she has low milk supply after giving birth, she can use her index and thumb of either hand to press down on both sides of the nipple and then push them outward. Alternatively, she can massage the nipples symmetrically in a left-right and up-down motion to make them protrude. It is important to feed the baby frequently, at least every two hours, to allow the baby to suck on the mother's nipples. The less milk the mother has, the more often the baby should suckle to stimulate milk production.
Do not discourage the baby from sucking on the nipples just because there is initially no milk. The more the baby comes into contact with the nipples, the more they will learn to suckle and stimulate milk production. Initially, breastfeeding can be painful for the mother as the baby uses their entire body strength to suckle. However, the mother should not stop breastfeeding because of this. New mothers should know that when the baby is hungry, they need to be fed. The more frequent and longer the feeding sessions, the more milk will be produced. Generally, if the baby changes more than 7 diapers a day, it indicates that they are receiving enough milk.
Breast milk contains a lot of water, so breastfeeding mothers often feel thirsty. If they do not replenish their water intake, it can not only affect the mother's health but also the production of breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers should drink plenty of warm water, fresh fish soup, fresh chicken soup, fresh milk, vegetable soup, and fresh fruit juice. However, it is important not to overdo the water intake as excessive water can lead to a decrease in the quality of the milk. The mother should drink water when she is not feeling thirsty.
It has been observed that breastfeeding mothers who are eager to lose weight and regain their slim figure may have difficulty maintaining an adequate milk supply. Therefore, it is recommended that mothers control their diet and attempt weight loss after the breastfeeding period ends. It is important to note that breastfeeding consumes a lot of calories, and as long as the mother does not overeat and combines it with some physical exercise, it can prevent fat accumulation and control obesity.
If the mother's nipples are injured, cracked, bleeding, or inflamed, she should temporarily stop breastfeeding on the injured side and let the baby suckle on the healthy side first. Once the wound has healed, breastfeeding can resume. To avoid nipple injuries, it is advised that the mother alternate the sucking time between both breasts.
In addition, breastfeeding mothers should get enough rest and maintain a positive mood as it can also increase milk production to some extent. Here are a few traditional Chinese medicine recipes to promote lactation:
Malted Licorice Glutinous Rice Porridge: Take 30g of malted barley and 9g of licorice, add 200ml of water and boil until the remaining liquid is 100ml. Filter the juice and remove the residue. Cook the filtered juice and 150g of glutinous rice together in a pot until the rice is cooked. Malted barley helps stimulate milk production and aids digestion. Licorice has a sweet and mild nature, and it can harmonize and moderate the effects of other herbs. Glutinous rice is known as the "number one food for nourishing the body." When combined, these ingredients make an excellent lactation recipe.
Wang Bu Liu Pig's Trotter Soup: Take 10g of Wang Bu Liu and wrap it in gauze. Put it in a pot along with 1-2 cleaned and cut pig's trotters. Add 1 liter of water, along with some spring onion, ginger, garlic, and Sichuan pepper. Stew until the meat is tender and the bones can be removed. Remove the herbs and bones and consume the meat and soup. Pig's trotters have a sweet and salty taste and, combined with Wang Bu Liu, have a good effect on increasing milk supply.
Shan Jia Wang Bu Liu Mother Hen Soup: Take 1 old mother hen, remove the feathers and internal organs. Roast 15g of Shan Jia, crush it into small pieces, and fill the chicken's abdomen with it. Put it in an iron pot along with 1 liter of water, along with some spring onion, ginger, garlic, and Sichuan pepper. Stew until the meat is tender and the bones can be removed. Remove the herbs and bones and consume the meat and soup. The roasted Shan Jia and Wang Bu Liu have the effect of promoting lactation. As Li Shizhen wrote in the "Compendium of Materia Medica," "It is said that when a woman eats roasted Shan Jia and Wang Bu Liu, her milk will flow rapidly." Chicken meat is nutritious and can replenish Qi and blood, making it an excellent food for breastfeeding mothers.
