The main food for newborns is breast milk (ASI). Newborns do not need additional fluids or other foods. To increase breast milk to meet the baby's needs, there are many ways can done bymother.
According to research, exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months provides long-term benefits. Various world health institutions, including the World Health Organization (WHO), recommend exclusive breastfeeding because according to research results, babies who are breastfed have a lower risk of developing infectious diseases, such as pneumonia and diarrhea. Breast milk can also support normal baby growth and development, and can reduce the risk of obesity in children and adolescents.
How to increase breast milk
There are many ways that can be done to increase breast milk, namely:
- Give breast milk continuously
In the first few weeks of birth, breastfeeding schedules may not be regular. Even so, give breast milk whenever the baby needs it. You can breastfeed about every two or three hours, because newborns usually drink milk eight to 12 times a day. Newborns need to be woken up for breastfeeding if the last breastfeeding has been more than two hours.
In principle, the more often it is given, the more milk production will increase. This happens because the hormone prolactin will work to stimulate milk production, if you continue to breastfeed.
- Enough rest
Rest is important to maintain stable milk production. Set your sleep schedule, for example if the baby is sleeping, you are encouraged to sleep too. Rest can also be done while relaxing with the baby or reducing activities outside the home. Avoid cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, because both of these can cause reduced milk production.
- Avoid worry
You don't have to worry about lack of milk. As long as you are physically and mentally healthy and eat healthy foods, you can still produce breast milk. Likewise with the condition of the baby. As long as the baby is doing well, he will continue to consume milk and milk will continue to be produced.
- Managing stress
During breastfeeding, try to manage stress well. Stress may not reduce milk production, but it is thought to inhibit the process of milk release. Ask your partner for help with household chores, or if necessary, ask other family members to help with caring for the baby. In addition, take time to relax to empty your mind and stretch the body that is sore from breastfeeding, for example by doing meditation or yoga. All this to lighten your load so you can breastfeed in peace.
- Sharing with other breastfeeding mothers
Meeting fellow breastfeeding mothers can make you have friends to share with. You can exchange stories about how to increase breast milk. You can also encourage each other to be successful in exclusive breastfeeding for your baby.
Healthy Food for Breastfeeding Mothers
The nutrients in the food and drinks you consume will be given to the baby through breast milk. Therefore, during the period of exclusive breastfeeding, you need an additional calorie intake of 300-500 calories per day.
You do not need to eat certain foods in order to increase breast milk. What is really needed is to have a healthy and balanced diet to maintain the quality of breast milk. Post-delivery food consumed must contain:
- FiberObtained from vegetables, fruits, and cereals.
- ProteinObtained from the nutrition of fish, eggs, meat, and nuts.
- Complex carbohydratesFor example from rice, potatoes, pasta, and whole wheat bread.
- Milk or dairy productsYou can try cheese and yogurt.
For vegetables and fruit, you are advised to consume at least five servings a day, as a complement to vitamins and minerals in the body. The types of foods mentioned above are food groups to launch breast milk. You can also try consuming katuk leaves as a herbal plant to launch breast milk.
The following are some additional tips to increase milk production, namely:
- Sufficient fluid needs
During breastfeeding, mothers are encouraged to meet their fluid needs. Therefore, milk production may decrease if the body lacks water. Keep water near you when you are on the move, so you always remember to drink. Drink before you feel thirsty. If your urine is dark yellow, it means you need to drink more water. You can also increase your fluid intake from milk and fresh fruit juices.
Avoid consuming too many drinks containing caffeine, such as tea and coffee. Limit intake, no more than 3 cups per day. The caffeine content in breast milk can make it difficult for babies to sleep.
- Vitamin
You are advised to consume at least 2800 IU of vitamin D per day. This amount is much higher than the recommended daily intake of vitamin D for non-breastfeeding adults, which is 400 IU per day. Vitamins and other essential substances needed can be obtained from the intake of nutritious foods that are consumed in a variety of ways.
- Drugs
If some of the ways above have been done but breast milk is still not enough to meet the needs of your little one, you can consider using breast milk-stimulating drugs from a doctor, such as domperidone. During breastfeeding, you need to be more careful about taking medications, including birth control pills. Before taking any medication, consult your doctor first.
You can do the various tips above to increase milk production to meet the needs of your little one. Do not hesitate to consult a lactation clinic for information on how to increase breast milk for breastfeeding mothers.