1. Early contact, early suckling: Implementing early contact and early suckling after childbirth and mastering the correct breastfeeding techniques are the key to successful breastfeeding. It is advocated to have skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby within half an hour after delivery, early suckling, and 24-hour rooming-in during hospitalization, feeding on demand, avoiding the use of breast milk substitutes and artificial bottles and nipples. At the same time, staff should provide guidance at any time.
2. Adjusting diet to protect the spleen and stomach: Breast milk is derived from the transformation of qi and blood, and qi and blood originate from the spleen and stomach. Only when the spleen and stomach function normally and the transformation of qi and blood is sufficient can breast milk be abundant. Postpartum, women are weakened due to childbirth injuries, and their organs are weak, with poor digestion and transformation function of the spleen and stomach. Therefore, it is best to have a nutritious and easily digestible diet. Avoid excessive fat and sweetness, and avoid raw, cold, and spicy foods to prevent further damage to the spleen and stomach, which may affect the transformation of qi and blood and cause insufficient milk production or the formation of breast abscess due to accumulation of heat in the stomach. The book "Chan Yun Ji - Tiao She" states: "After childbirth...the diet should be light and plain, without salt, eating too much salt leads to no milk; avoid eating raw, cold, hard, and all other foreign substances that can cause illness; avoid roasted, fried, and stir-fried foods; avoid excessive fat and greasiness, all of which can cause disease." The book "Ji Yin Gang Mu" states: "Eating a rich and heavy diet leads to steaming of stomach fire, and the breast milk becomes turbid pus."
3. Maintain emotional well-being to prevent liver depression: The secretion of breast milk is closely related to mental and emotional factors. The liver likes smoothness and regulates the flow of qi. When the flow of qi is smooth, the secretion of breast milk is normal. During childbirth, blood loss and blood deficiency can cause liver qi stagnation. If the emotional well-being is not met after childbirth, the liver loses its smoothness and regulation, and the flow of breast milk is obstructed, resulting in insufficient milk production. The book "Ge Zhi Yu Lun" states: "The mother of the milk child, if she doesn't know how to take care of herself, anger and depression, thick and heavy diet, can lead to the stagnation of jueyin qi, causing blockage of the orifices and preventing the milk from coming out." Therefore, during breastfeeding, it is important to maintain a positive and happy mindset, avoid insufficient milk production or other breast diseases caused by emotional stagnation.
4. Balance work and rest, regulate sexual activity: Breast milk is derived from the qi and blood of the mother's body. Only when the mother's body is strong and the qi and blood are abundant can breast milk be produced. Excessive fatigue damages the spleen, and excessive sexual activity damages the kidneys. If the spleen and kidneys are deficient and the essence and blood are depleted, there will be insufficient milk production or even no milk at all. Therefore, during breastfeeding, it is necessary to balance work and rest, regulate sexual activity, ensure the mother's physical health, abundant energy, and abundant qi and blood to continuously produce breast milk for the baby. In addition, attention should be paid to contraception and cautious use of medications.
5. Keep the breasts clean to prevent breast diseases: Before each breastfeeding session, clean the nipples to prevent unclean substances from entering the baby's mouth.
If the breasts are engorged and full of milk, the excess milk should be promptly expressed and drained to avoid the development of breast abscess due to milk stasis. If the nipples are cracked, it is often due to incorrect sucking posture, which should be corrected. Topical application of 10% cod liver oil bismuth ointment or sterilized sesame oil can be used locally.
