All new mothers often face initial difficulties with breastfeeding. While taking care of your newborn is a delightful process, it is also a learning experience, especially for first-time mothers. Breastfeeding can be particularly challenging for working mothers who often have to leave their babies for long periods. The breast pump and baby feeding bottles were inventions that proved to be tremendously helpful for such parents, with the new mothers being able to ensure that their infants are well fed and taken care of, even when they aren’t around.
Though useful, pumping isn’t exactly an appealing process. A lot of mothers find it uncomfortable, while for others, it is tedious. The most tiring part of pumping can be ensuring that you’ve got enough milk to supply and store for your baby. Not all mothers are always ready to be pumped. Sometimes, it might be necessary to increase the production of milk in your body to pump out a good amount of breast milk.
Here are some useful tips new mothers can try to implement to ensure an increase in the amount of breast milk they produce.
- Try to increase the number of times you pump every day – Increasing the number of times you pump helps you produce more milk than usual. There are several methods to try out in this regard, like cluster pumping, for example. Cluster pumping is a method of pumping every five minutes when your breasts normally feel full. The body stops producing more milk when your breasts feel fuller, so when you pump every five minutes, you give it the impression that there is a need for more. Soon you’ll see the milk production increases. You could raise the number of times you pump every day as well – this may seem a little difficult at first and might not immediately increase the flow. But within a few days of trying to pump more, the body automatically begins to produce more, sensing the need.
- Pumping both breasts at once can help too – This is a great way to increase the amount of milk produced by the body every day. Double pumping or pumping both breasts at once can lead to faster production, and when paired with cluster pumping, it can ensure that you get enough milk in one sitting. Ensure you have appropriate tools to make it easier for you to get through the process. Use a pumping bra and ensure that the machine and the bottles are all of good quality and are cleaned well.
- Use the breast pump immediately after you feed your baby – The breasts usually tend to feel a little full even after you feed your baby. This is a great time to pump, as it would ultimately lead to your body producing more milk per day than usual. It also helps if your breasts feel a lot emptier than before because that’s when the body gets the signal to produce more than usual.
- Take supplements to increase your lactation – A lot of new mothers have trouble producing breast milk or increasing the amount they produce. Lactation supplements are a great option. Unlike medically prescribed drugs, there are usually recipes like cookies containing natural ingredients. These ingredients, like oats or brewer’s yeast, are said to aid in breastfeeding. Many everyday ingredients in our kitchens, like fenugreek or fennel, are said to be galactagogues or have properties that help increase the production of breast milk.
- Maintain a proper diet and stay healthy – The mother needs to eat healthy nutritious food, which ultimately forms the milk you feed your child. Make sure you include more water and drink it as often as possible during the day to ensure you are hydrated. It’s also advised to increase your calorie intake by 300-400 calories a day, as this helps the body produce more milk as well.
- Try to keep looking at pictures of your child – If you’re someone who’s trying to pump milk at work, try looking at pictures of your baby or try getting a whiff of their clothes even. It usually helps to recreate an environment that is similar to home for your body to produce milk. Many mothers find it easier to pump milk when they hold their babies close or are surrounded by them at home.
- Have enough baby feeding bottles; use extras if you need to – It helps to have all the equipment you need at hand. Plan and keep them stocked. Make sure you buy a couple of extras because there might be a need to store more milk than planned. Buy feeding bottles and pumps that are proven to be non-toxic, are easy to maintain and use.
- Take frequent pumping breaks – Take frequent pumping breaks between feeding sessions to help your body refill on its supply. This usually enables you to relax a bit as well. Frequent pumping breaks can help you produce more milk, especially if you’re pumping after a feeding session. According to researchers, it has been found that more relaxed women tend to produce thicker and better milk than those who aren’t. So ensure you take enough breaks to remain comfortable.
- Take care of your mental health and relax – As stated above, new mothers need to relax and enjoy being close to their child. Remember always to ensure that you get a good amount of sleep. Lack of sleep can be a common problem for all new parents, but it can affect the mother’s mental health and reduce milk supply.
- Consider a consultation with a lactation specialist – It’s perfectly normal to be unsure of what you’re doing. How else does anybody learn? Consulting a lactation specialist or a doctor helps you understand whether you’re doing things the right way. It also helps you know more about the overall health of the baby and his or her needs. A doctor can check if you’re using the pump the right way and can also advise you on how to try and increase your milk production.
Ensure that the products being used are sourced from trustworthy sites that ensure that the material is safe and of good quality, like Ninio Baby. With more than thirty years of serving newborns and their new mothers, Ninio Baby not only ensures that the products are tested but also 100% BPA-free, 100% EA-free, and non-toxic.