A Surprising Issue
The biological purpose of breasts isn’t singular—they have psychological and sensual aspects to them. But from a strictly pragmatic perspective, breasts provide nourishment for newborns. That’s their primary organic function.
It’s quite surprising, and a little ironic, then, when your breasts won’t produce milk. What can be done about that? Following we’ll briefly explore five ways breastmilk production can be increased healthily.
1. Sometimes Little Can Be Done
There are women who simply cannot produce breast milk, and in that scenario, you’ll either have to go with formula exclusively, or find another mother who can help to nourish your child. Neither scenario is ideal, however.
You definitely want to know what sort of situation defines your body at the organic level. Accordingly, find an OB/GYN you trust. They can help you know in advance, as best you can, whether you’ll be able to produce milk naturally.
2. Breast Pumps May Assist In Expression
If your baby is hungry, there is a subconscious biological relationship between you and your newborn which will likely be triggered. The sound of your baby’s cries, the smell of your baby; these things can stimulate your body into production. You may also find when your baby is finished feeding, your breasts continue to express. A good idea is using a breast pump here.
Essentially, you pump either breast until expression ceases. Keep the milk in the refrigerator for a week or so, or put it in the freezer for a few months. If you get in the habit of pumping whenever you express, you’ll express more, and more regularly.
3. Supplementation Can Help
Another thing you can do is take vitamins and eat foods which help you to express yourself. Here’s a link that can help you get an idea which supplements for milk production might be best. Fenugreek seeds, oatmeal, whole grains, brewer’s yeast, garlic, fennel seeds, leafy greens, alfalfa—all can be very helpful in breast milk expression.
4. Learn How To Feed “On-Demand”
When your baby is hungry, breastfeed, and continue expressing milk when the child is finished feeding. On-demand feeding will help align the hunger of your baby and the expression of breastmilk.
5. Seek Consultation From Professionals
There are quite a few different consultants out there when it comes to lactation. Call around and see what they advise. Ask for help from friends or relatives. Do a little research online. There’s an old saying that the plans of skilled people fail without proper counsel. This applies to matters of state, career choices, and parenthood.
Professionals and friends who have been where you are can tell you what they went through, what they did, what worked, and what didn’t. When all is said and done, you can save yourself a lot of unnecessary hassle, and that’s certainly worthwhile. It can also be wise to surround yourself with resources to rely on before you give birth just in case.
Natural Production Without The Hassle
Breastmilk production won’t always happen as it should. In some situations you are able to fix the problem by changing your strategy, in others you aren’t. Some women simply can’t produce breast milk. Others find that breast pumps are quite helpful, and supplementation helps them increase their milk supply. Also, on-demand feeding helps, as does consultation.
There are a variety of methods which can be used to help you nourish your child in this natural, organic way. Find which works best for you.
