Pumping is the best way to increase the milk supply. When you give birth to your child, the first few weeks of breastfeeding are often demanding. Because this time, your newborn baby needs only breast milk. Also, there are so many ways that can increase your milk. Like healthy food habits, make some changes in your lifestyle, etc. However, today we will talk about how to increase milk supply when pumping.
Most of the cases newly mother complains that their baby didn’t get enough breast milk. It is a critical situation for every mother when she can’t feed her newborn baby because of insufficient milk flow. We wonder if you have enough milk and then feel like you have too much. If you feel your nipples are sensitive and your breasts become gigantic and sometimes so hard, babies have difficulty feeding. We, therefore, give you some advice to promote milk flow, but also to relieve engorgement.
How to increase milk supply when pumping?
The milk rushes between 3 and 5 days after giving birth, but it is important to let the baby breastfeed from the first hours. It then feeds on colostrum which will transform itself into transitional milk and then into mature milk.
At first, when the milk rush is done, you will feel a feeling of heaviness and heat in the breasts, maybe even a little pain. It is also normal. That indicates that the colostrum is turning into milk. It will take about a month before regular milk production takes place. So it takes patience and perseverance. Using a breast pump is always a best solution to increase milk flow.
If we feel that baby is having difficulty sucking, he gets tired too quickly and falls asleep. Or if he is premature, we can promote milk flow with the breast pump. The milk collected can be frozen and bottle-fed later.
Trying to reduce stress and fatigue increase milk supply when pumping
If you’ve never done relaxation, now is the time to get started since stress is the number one enemy of the milk rush. A very stressed mother may indeed have difficulty breastfeeding. Take the time to learn, find the breastfeeding position that suits you, see this moment as a special time with your child. If you need advice, specialists are there to help you. Among others, it offers you a whole series of services to give you a hand.
It’s hard to tell a mom who has just given birth and has to wake up several times a night to get some rest. And yet, fatigue can interfere with the milky rise. You must therefore avoid unnecessary overwork as much as possible and devote yourself to your baby and yourself. Take naps simultaneously as him and ask for help with household chores and meals, if possible. Dad is here for that too! At first, new dads sometimes struggle to find their role. Do not hesitate to tell him how to help you by bringing your baby to bed during the night for breastfeeding, changing his diaper, or preparing small meals for you. You will see that all these little things will reduce your level of fatigue.
Breastfeed often
It is suggested to put the baby to the breast 8 to 12 times in 24 hours to stimulate the glands. Do not omit the nights since prolactin (a hormone that mainly allows the initiation and maintenance of lactation) is mainly secreted at night. The more the baby sucks, the more the milk flow is stimulated. You have to persevere, even if at first the nipples are sensitive to this repeated stimulation. Do not forget to let it drink from both breasts to promote milk production in each breast.
Drink lots of fluids
Drink plenty of fluids, water, milk, herbal teas to promote milky rise. Of course, alcohol, you should avoid tea and coffee since everything passes into the baby’s milk, both what we eat and what we drink. It is also the reason why we must promote a diet as balanced as when we were pregnant.
To encourage you to drink, because sometimes the days go by so quickly that you forget, get in the habit of sitting down to breastfeed with a full glass of water. While your little wonder is drinking, you will do the same.
Eat a variety of foods
Each culture targets foods that, in principle, promote milk build-up. It seems the key is to eat a variety of foods. So, eat fruit and vegetables several times a day and don’t forget any meals, even if the baby takes up all your time.
By getting enough nutrition, your body will have everything it needs to produce milk for your baby.
Wear a suitable bra
Wear a bra that does not tighten you too tightly to avoid compression of the ducts and reduce engorgement.
Apply hot water compresses
Hot water compresses applied for about a minute before a feed can help the milk flow.
Relieve inflammation
On the other hand, if you want to relieve pain and inflammation between feedings, we recommend an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas that mold well to the breast, or a Magic Bag that you have put on beforehand. in the freezer.
How to relieve engorgement?
If your baby is not breastfeeding enough or is having difficulty because your breast is too stiff (sometimes too engorged), use cabbage leaves that you place on your breasts, making them conform to their shape. Do this for about 20 minutes (or until the leaf softens), twice a day (after a feed). After two or three days of this treatment, the engorgement should have subsided.
Use the benefits of plants and vitamins
Two medicinal plants seem to promote milk production: fenugreek and blessed thistle. Ask a specialist in natural products for advice. The lecithin, meanwhile, is a dietary supplement that promotes the passage of milk in the channels.
Wear a soft nursing bra that does not compress the breast
Do not put any pressure on your breasts during the milk rise, and avoid any tight-fitting bra. It will prevent you from blocking the lactation ducts.
How to reduce the milk flow?
During the milk rush, your breasts may produce too much milk momentarily. Baby must adapt, and you too! Here are some tips to help relieve yourself during this painful time.
Massage boobs in the shower
Avoid using a breast pump which would stimulate milk production even more. To relieve the tension, you feel in the breasts and to empty them, massage them under a jet of hot water in the shower. You can do this by exerting pressure from the top of the breast towards the nipple without pinching or stimulating the latter.
Decrease the number of drinks
If you’ve gotten into the habit of drinking many fluids, you can reduce your intake a bit. However, don’t forget that good hydration is essential. Just try to find some balance.
Breastfeeding baby while lying down
By breastfeeding the baby in an inclined or lying position, he will better control his feeding. He can pause and lift his head if the flow is too fast for him. You will see, it can be impressive. Milk can come out of your breast with a powerful jet. Baby might even get it all over his face! Consider placing a towel between you and your baby to absorb excess breast milk.
Avoid stimulating the nipples
Stimulation of the nipples increases milk production. Therefore, avoid any form of stimulation at this location during the first weeks of breastfeeding.
Breastfeed baby on demand
By breastfeeding on demand, you will relieve your breasts, and you will see that it will quickly balance the milk production. Overproduction rarely persists. However, if this happens, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor or contact the La Leche League for targeted help.
These first days and weeks are sometimes unsettling. Breastfeeding rarely happens as we had imagined, and during the milk surge, we have the impression that the difficulties associated with it will be insurmountable! However, your body will quickly get used to breastfeeding. After a few weeks, everything will become simple. It’s hard to believe at the very beginning (I know, I’ve been there!), But this is what will happen after a few weeks of breastfeeding, after getting over the milky surges and some periods of engorgement.
FAQ on How to increase milk supply when pumping
When should you express your breast milk?
Start pumping on your maternity leave.
Start expressing your milk once a day before feed your baby. There are so many moms find it easier to prompt supplementary milk in the morning. When you have found a period that works superlative for you. You should try to express your milk at the similar periodic dividedly day time.
How long do you have to keep the breast pump?
With practice, you can extract what you need in as little as 10-15 minutes. While you’re at work, try to express your milk as often as your baby usually feeds. That can be every 3 to 4 hours for 15 minutes at a time.
Why can’t I get milk from my breast pump?
To activate the extraction with the breast pump, it is better that you express milk for a short time several times a day.When you see droplets of milk coming out of one breast, move on to the next. And again, go back to the first when you see that it comes out slowly. Finish with a manual massage to extract as much milk as possible.
How many ml of milk can she have in her breast?
How much milk does the breast produce? Regardless of breast size, the amount of milk produced varies between 11 and 58 ml per hour and breast, that is, at an average of 35 ml per hour and breast, a newborn baby who feeds each three hours would be receiving about 210 ml of milk in each feeding.
