10 Ways to increase the production of breast milk naturally during breastfeeding

From birth until the age of six months, exclusive breastfeeding is the best food for babies. But unfortunately, not a few breastfeeding mothers are worried about the adequacy of milk production for their little one, especially for those of you who have just had a baby. So, is there a way that can be done to increase and accelerate the production of breast milk? Do you need to drink breastfeeding smoothing herbs?

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Various factors influence breast milk production

There are two causes of problems with the amount of breast milk, namely when the milk does not come out after giving birth and the amount of milk that is too much.

Cause the milk does not come out after giving birth

Various factors that cause milk not to come out during breastfeeding after giving birth include:

Birth factor

The factor after giving birth can be one of the reasons why the milk does not come out. Some of the causes of this condition occurring after childbirth can be due to the following factors:

• Mother is stressed
• Administration of intravenous fluids during labor
• Losing a lot of blood after giving birth
• Placenta problems
• Medication during childbirth

Maternal health factors

Some of the conditions that can affect hormones and prevent breast milk from passing out after childbirth are as follows:

• Diabetes during pregnancy or gestational diabetes
• Gestational ovarian theca lutein cysts
• Being overweight or obese
• Have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
• Medicines that the mother took

Mothers who experience health problems can affect the hormones associated with breast milk secretion. This is what then keeps the milk from coming out while breastfeeding.

Mother's breast factor

Some maternal breast problems that affect breast milk production are not smooth after delivery, namely:

• Premature birth
• Breasts are not fully developed
• Have had surgery or suffered an injury to the breast
• Unusual shape of the nipple

Problems with the mother's breasts can make milk production a little or the milk can't come out smoothly after giving birth.

Early breastfeeding initiation factors

Separating mother and baby after birth, aka not doing IMD, can actually affect milk production.

As a result, the mother's milk is more difficult to pass after giving birth.

The cause of too much breast milk

Too much breast milk can be caused by overproduction. The cause of too much breast milk can also be due let down reflex which is very vigorous or uncontrolled during breastfeeding.

This can actually stimulate excess milk production. Although it looks easier than a small amount of milk, too much milk can cause difficulties for both mother and baby.

The baby may choke, vomit, and even have difficulty breathing because the amount of milk that comes out of the breast is so abundant.

Meanwhile, the mother can feel overwhelmed because the milk keeps flowing out of the breast when she is not breastfeeding.

Mothers are also at risk of experiencing blockages in the milk ducts, mastitis of breast engorgement, and nipple pain if too much milk is produced.

There are many ways to get a lot of breast milk

Every breastfeeding mother certainly wants to always provide enough milk for the baby so that the benefits of breastfeeding can be optimal.

In fact, each mother's milk production can meet the baby's nutritional needs.

It's just that, the milk production produced by each mother can be different.

Starting from here, breastfeeding mothers may include you actively looking for ways to increase and accelerate milk production.

For those of you who have problems with the production of breastmilk not coming out or not too much after giving birth, there are several ways you can do.

Even so, the length of time needed to increase milk production is not always the same for every mother.

The length of time usually depends on the amount and the underlying causes of the low milk production.

Here's an easy way to get a lot of breast milk:

1. Increase the frequency of breastfeeding

Maybe you feel that your milk is not producing too much or is not coming out after giving birth. However, don't give up hope to keep trying to give breast milk.

This is because the more often you breastfeed, the more milk supply in the breast will be.

One way to increase milk production and make it more milk is by increasing the frequency of breastfeeding.

This process is commonly known by the name let down reflex which helps stimulate contractions in the breast muscles.

As a result, breast milk can flow smoothly so that it can be a way to increase and accelerate milk production.

This principle is the same as the law of supply and demand (supply and demand). This means that the more demand for the amount of supply will also follow so that it will increase as well.

For example, the schedule for breastfeeding the baby is 3-4 hours from the start of breastfeeding until the next feed.

Furthermore, you can try to give a little breast milk as a "snack" during that time. So, the total time to breastfeed a baby can reach about eight times in 24 hours.

Conversely, if the baby looks dissatisfied and happy after breastfeeding, you should let him rest for a while and give breast milk again about 20-30 minutes later.

As a lot of milk is released, the breasts will automatically be provoked to release more milk.

Not only in the morning, noon and evening, it's best to let the baby suckle at night if he wants to.

Even when the baby is sleeping and it is time for him to feed, you can wake him up briefly.

According to the Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI), it is recommended that you wake the baby if it is sleeping and has not breastfed for 4 hours.

2. Create a comfortable environment during the breastfeeding period

As much as possible, avoid feeling too anxious, stressed, and even depressed during breastfeeding.

Because without realizing it, these various conditions can affect breast milk production so that it will thwart your way of making more milk production.

Try to create a calm and relaxed environment while breastfeeding so that your body and mind are more comfortable.

You can take the time to meditate, watch your favorite movies, or do deep breathing techniques.

Not only are you happy, this will also have an impact on your little one's breastfeeding ability as a way to increase milk production.

3. Routinely pump breast milk so that it produces more

When the baby is not breastfeeding or is already full but the breasts still feel tight, you can express the milk by pumping it.

The feeling of tightness and fullness in the breasts is usually because the milk supply is not completely depleted.

So, you can use a breast pump to express it. Save the expressed breast milk for the next baby's breastfeeding schedule to keep it durable.

As previously explained, the more demand the more supply will be.

Therefore, regularly breastfeed your little one and pump breast milk when the breasts start to feel tight.

This method can help to produce more milk because empty breasts will continue to produce milk continuously.

Pumping breast milk can be done at any time. If the milk production in the breast is too full, you can pump and apply methods of storing milk as a supply.

4. Pay attention to the attachment (latch on) of the baby during breastfeeding

If during breastfeeding, the milk does not come out too much and is different from when pumped, maybe the attachment that the baby has done so far is not quite right.

Believe it or not, proper attachment while breastfeeding can be one of several ways to increase and increase milk production.

Latch on or latching is placing the baby's mouth with the nipple in the proper breastfeeding position.

The main purpose latch on actually to prevent the appearance of sores, pain, and even pain in the mother's nipples due to the inappropriate position of the baby's suction.

However, actually latch on The right one can also be a way to increase milk production.

As also explained in the Mayo Clinic, proper attachment during breastfeeding can be a great way to increase milk production.

This is because when the baby sucks the mother's nipple does not fit properly, automatically the milk production that comes out of the breast is also not so much.

Vice versa, when latch on the baby on the mother's nipple is right, the milk that comes out will be more optimal.

5. Feed from both sides of the breast

Another way to increase milk production can be done by letting the baby breastfeed alternately on both sides of the breast.

Let the baby suckle from the side of the first breast until it stops on its own and then give the other side of the breast.

The existence of the same stimulation or stimulation on both sides of the breast can be a way to facilitate milk production.

Sometimes the question is whether a small breast size can still breastfeed? Actually, there is no need to worry about being able to breastfeed your baby smoothly even though the breast size is small.

In fact, breast size does not affect milk production, including small breasts.

Breast size is determined more by the fat tissue in it. However, this fatty tissue in no way affects the amount of milk produced by the breast.

Milk production depends more on the amount of mammary gland tissue, where the mammary glands are the place to produce and store milk.

So, the answer to what small breasts can breastfeed is that there is no problem giving breast milk either directly or pumping breast milk.

6. Try to fulfill the nutritional needs properly

Do not want to be left behind, the nutrients you get from daily food sources must also be fulfilled properly.

Not only good for your health, ensuring that your nutritional needs are fulfilled can also be a way to increase and accelerate milk production.

Nutritious foods that contain essential vitamins and minerals, namely fruits, green vegetables, meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and others are important to increase breast milk

In addition, breastfeeding mothers need to drink a lot to meet the needs of body fluids every day.

To be more optimal, you are advised to drink at least eight glasses per day and preferably not less than that amount.

7. Eat foods to increase milk production

The body needs a sufficient amount of energy to produce a lot of breast milk.

Apart from the daily intake of breastfeeding mothers, there are also several types of food that are believed to increase milk production and increase breastfeeding.

Here are some types of foods that can increase your breast milk supply:

• Oatmeal, because it contains a lot of iron.
• Breastfeeding mothers eat garlic, because it contains galactagogue compounds that can increase breast milk.
• Various types of vegetables, especially dark leafy ones, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, broccoli, katuk leaves. Various types of vegetables have special compounds in them that can increase breast milk.
• Sesame seeds, because they contain a lot of calcium minerals, are good for increasing breast milk production and supporting the growth of baby's bones and teeth.

Other food sources such as almonds and papaya are also good to eat if you want to increase and increase the supply of breast milk.

8. Perform breast massage to facilitate milk production

While breastfeeding, you can massage your breasts slowly to increase milk production.

Massage techniques as a way to increase or increase milk production can be done starting from the outside of the breast to the inside.

How to massage breasts so that breast milk is smooth

Here's an easy way to massage the breasts so that milk production flows more smoothly:

1. While standing in front of the mirror, lift one side of the breast with your left hand and hold the top of the breast with your right hand.
2. Place four fingers of the right hand on the top of one breast, and four fingers of the left hand on the underside of it.
3. Move both hands back and forth gently, aka in a circle. If the right hand moves to the left, the left hand will move to the right.
4. Move your hands to the sides of the edges of the breasts, and move them in circles as previously done. If necessary, apply pressure to the breasts slowly.
5. Also try using the tips of your fingers to massage and apply a little pressure to the breasts.
6. Repeat this movement about 20 times, then switch to the other part of the breast.
7. Still in the same position, lift one side of the breast with your left hand.
8. Use three or four fingers of your right hand, then make a circular motion over the nipple 20 times.
9. Do this step while your fingers apply gentle pressure to the breast.
10. Feel like you are pushing the milk towards the nipple, so that it can pass smoothly.
11. Still using your two fingers, massage the breasts slowly from the outside.
12. Place your hands under the armpits and cleavage, then move toward the nipples.
13. Repeat this step 10 times and switch to the other side of the breast.
14. Using the tips of your thumb and forefinger, gently twist the nipple on each breast.

Another thing that needs to be considered when breast massage

Here's what you should pay attention to before applying how to massage your breasts so that milk production is smooth:

1. Before massaging your breasts, wash your hands first until they are clean.
2. Prepare massage oils that are safe and do not contain too many harmful chemicals.
3. Avoid lotions or massage oils that contain added fragrances or dyes.
4. Do not apply it directly to the skin of the breast. It would be a good idea to pour an appropriate amount of lotion or massage oil on the palms of your hands.
5. Rub your hands together until the oil or lotion is evenly distributed.

Launching from research published in the Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing , massaging the breasts in the right way for 30 minutes within 10 days after delivery can help to make milk smoothly.

Breast massage is also effective for preventing as well as relieving pain, swelling, mastitis, and infection in the breast.

Interestingly, massaging the breasts in the right way can also help the body feel more relaxed and comfortable.

That's why massaging the breasts in the right way also helps the mind become calmer and you can rest well.

Apart from breast massage, mothers can also do oxytocin massage to increase milk production.

Oxytocin massage is a massage that is carried out along the spine in an effort to increase milk production.

It is called oxytocin massage because this massage can trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone that makes breast milk smoother.

9. Drink breastfeeding smoothing herbs

Jamu is classified as a traditional medicine which is processed from plants to produce a concoction.

There are also not only one dosage forms for herbal medicine, but you can find them in various dishes.

Starting from liquid herbal medicine that can be drunk directly, processed into pills, or powder that must be brewed first.

Breastfeeding mothers may be familiar with the benefits of herbal medicine known as ASI booster the good one.

The ingredients commonly used in the manufacture of this herbal medicine are lactogogues.

Laktogogue is an ingredient or substance that is believed to help stimulate and increase milk production.

The role of herbal medicine as a breast milk booster or natural breast milk smoothener

A study from the Unikal Journal conducted in the Pekalongan area, Central Java, asked around 89 respondents of breastfeeding mothers to regularly drink breastfeeding-smoothing herbal medicine.

This breastmilk-smoothing herbal concoction is processed from a mixture of crushed katuk leaves, turmeric, lempuyangan and tamarind and then the water is boiled.

The use of various traditional ingredients in herbal medicine is believed to contain substances that can be useful as breastfeeding agents.

The results of research published in 2012 also turned out to be positive.

Mothers who regularly drink herbal medicine during the postpartum period (after childbirth) and breastfeed are 4 times more likely to experience an increase in milk production than mothers who do not drink herbal medicine.

In addition, research on postpartum and breastfeeding mothers in Tegal District also had similar results.

The study, published in the SIKLUS Journal in 2018, observed breastfeeding mothers who routinely drink herbal medicine from a mixture of natural ingredients.

These natural ingredients include kencur, turmeric, lempuyang, katuk leaves, temu giring, to ginger.

Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that the ingredients in herbal medicine were good for the production of more breast milk.

In fact, this herbal medicine which facilitates the production of breast milk is also considered to be able to help maintain endurance and speed up the recovery process of the mother's body after giving birth.

Supporting the same thing, the Tawangmangu Research and Development Center for Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicines is also researching about herbal medicine as a way to make breast milk production more smoothly.

As a result, the concoction of katuk leaves, wakes and papaya leaves has been proven to help increase breast milk production for nursing mothers.

This increase in breast milk production is obtained after breastfeeding mothers routinely drink the traditional ingredients for 28 days.

10. Drink breastmilk-smoothing milk

Breastfeeding mother's milk or milk supply is one of the ways to increase production.

In this case, the breast milk enhancer enters the lactogogue. Judging from the main ingredients that are often used as a mainstay in natural milk smoothing milk, there are several main compositions.

How to have good breastfeeding mother's milk for babies? You can choose milk made from processed cows or nuts.

Breastfeeding mother's milk, which is made from nuts and processed cows, is often called natural milk smoothing or ASI booster .

A study in 2018 in the Midwifery Journal of the Muhammadiyah University of Semarang explained this.

Research conducted on 40 participants of breastfeeding mothers found that giving soy milk can actually help increase milk production.

Starting from this, soy milk is used as one of the ingredients in milk that facilitates breast milk. This is thought to be because soybeans contain isoflavones in them.

Do you need to take breast milk-smoothing supplements and vitamins?

Supplements and vitamins are also part of what is commonly used as a way to get more breast milk.

The breastmilk enhancer or smoothing supplement here is not in the form of medicine, but rather contains a variety of herbal ingredients mixed and packaged together.

While the intake of natural vitamins as breast milk booster Naturally, breastfeeding mothers can actually be obtained from daily food, although some also come from supplements.

Herbs that are used as basic ingredients for making supplements to smoothen or enhance breast milk are not arbitrary.

Take examples such as fenugreek, blessed thistle, dates, and katuk leaves.

Herbal ingredients that are processed into supplements are usually believed for a long time to make breast milk production smoother.

A study published in the Journal of Pediactric Sciences in 2014 tried to prove the efficacy of breast milk-enhancing supplements as breast milk. booster the good one.

The mixture of dates and fenugreek is considered beneficial in helping to increase breast milk production for nursing mothers.

Especially during the early days after childbirth or the first time breastfeeding.

Even so, actually the results of research that prove the efficacy of supplements as a breast milk enhancer have not been fully proven.

However, it is important to understand in advance that efforts to increase or increase breast milk production by taking supplements must go through previous trials.

This is because it does not rule out side effects from using supplements made from this herbal ingredient to mothers and babies.

While vitamin supplements make milk production more smoothly, it may take some breastfeeding mothers to help meet their nutritional needs.

It is important to understand that vitamin supplements cannot replace daily food intake while breastfeeding.

Make sure the mother has consulted and got a recommendation from a doctor, before deciding to take additional vitamin supplements during breastfeeding.

In essence, you should further consult your doctor if you experience problems with breastfeeding mothers, breastfeeding challenges, and questions about the myths of breastfeeding mothers.

You can ask a breastfeeding consultant or pediatrician to make sure the steps you want to take are safe or not.