How to Increase Breast Milk Production? Natural Breastfeeding Medications

Female Breast

The female breasts work as a pair of glands, producing milk for their babies. The connective and fatty tissues of the breast provide support and protect the milk producing areas within the breast. In fact, a cluster of cells called alveoli produce the breast milk, and the milk ducts open on the nipples.

Since the fatty tissues provide only supporting role, the size of your breasts or nipples is not directly responsible for your success or failure in breastfeeding. Breast size depends on the number of fat cells within your breasts and in most cases, it's an inherited trait, but certain hormonal changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding will enlarge your breast size.

Breast Milk

Breast milk provides the best nutrition for your baby and it's a well-known fact that certain components in breast milk protect the babies against disease and infections.

Whey and casein are the two main proteins in the human milk. These proteins occur in 60:40 ratio that is 60 percent whey and 40 percent casein. The ratio creates a very good balance of proteins and promotes quick and easy digestion. The proteins in breast milk are known for their infection-protection properties.

An ideal fat ratio in human milk is crucial for the good health of your baby. Fat is essential for the development of the brain, proper absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and energy requirements of the babies. Long chain fatty acids play a very important role in the development of the nervous system, retina, and the brain.

Low Breast Milk Supply

A mother's love, care, and dedication towards her baby may make her concerned whether the baby is getting sufficient breast milk, particularly when she starts breastfeeding.

Many lactating mothers feel that their babies are not getting sufficient milk even when it's not the case. This feeling of low breast milk supply may bother you, particularly when you don't feel the fullness in your breasts or don't see milk leaking from your nipples.

You should understand that frequent breastfeeding will prevent your breasts from becoming full or leaking milk. If your baby is getting more breast milk out of his or her growth spurts, it can be easily corrected.

Even if a lactating mother suffers from low breast milk for her baby, breast milk can be increased. It's very important to understand the required milk supply for your baby because low supply will cause malnutrition to your baby.

Causes of Low Breast Milk Production

A temporary decrease in breast milk can occur due to several reasons. For example, if you are not feeding your baby at frequent intervals due to pain in the nipples, poor latch-on technique or being a lethargic nurse, your milk supply may diminish. Estrogen-based birth control pills and certain health issues are known to cause low milk production. Breast surgery, hormonal disorders and other physical or biological conditions may affect a lactating mother's breast milk supply.

The calorie intake of pregnant women and lactating mothers should be the same because the breastfeeding mothers are still eating for their babies. If you are a lactating mother, you are supposed to take extra 300 to 500 calories a day. It means you have to eat an additional cup of cereal, a container of yogurt, and a fruit serving. Breastfeeding is the best way to lose weight that you gain during the pregnancy. Dieting or reducing your calorie intake will affect your milk supply and energy levels.

Nursing is a physical as well as the psychological process. Stress and anxiety will decrease your milk supply even if you are worried about low breat milk production. Staying relaxed and focusing on the positive aspects of motherhood and your baby will restore your confidence in breastfeeding and boost your chances of reversing any deterioration in milk production.

How to Increase Breast Milk Production?

If you are not producing adequate milk for your baby, try the following tips to increase breast milk production:

1. Make sure that you are getting at least 1,800 calories a day and drinking 6 glasses of healthy fluids. The quantity and quality of breast milk depend on what you eat. You should never follow any dieting program during your lactation period.
2. Feed your baby at frequent intervals and when your baby is full, pump out extra milk and store it. Pumping will stimulate your breasts to produce more milk.
3. Don't use bottles and pacifiers when you are trying to increase breast milk. When your baby is sucking nipples at frequent intervals, you will produce more breast milk.
4. Make sure that you are nursing at least 8 times in a 24 hour period. Don't cut off your baby and let him feed as frequently and as long as he wants.
5. You may also try medications for increasing lactation. Certain herbs like blessed thistle, fenugreek, and red raspberry produce a very good result in boosting breast milk production.

Lactation Medications

If you feel that your breast milk production is not sufficient for your baby's requirements, you can use herbal therapies as well as prescription medications. Today, there are a number of lactation medications to restore your milk supply after a long break from nursing.

Unfortunately, prescription medications have side effects. Some lactation medications may raise your prolactin levels to increase breast milk. High levels of prolactin may cause depression and if you have any history of depression, these lactation medications are not suitable for you. A headache and fatigue are the other common side effects of lactation medications.

Natural Breastfeeding Medications

Natural breastfeeding medications are healthier and more suitable options for increasing lactation. A very encouraging response has been observed in many lactating mothers and these natural lactation medications may typically increase breast milk supply within 72 hours of its intake.

Most of the natural breastfeeding medications are based on traditional knowledge. For example, Fenugreek is one of the most common ingredients of herbal formulations for increasing lactation and moms have used it right from centuries. If your body responds to this herb, you will notice a marked improvement in your lactation within one to three days.

We have done some research on natural breastfeeding medications containing Fenugreek and other useful ingredients, and feel confident enough to recommend the following herbal formulations, which have been proven to increase lactation:

1. BoostMilkEnhancer — 95 pts.
2. PrenatalPack — 81 pts.

#1 - BoostMilkEnhancer, 95 points out of 100. BoostMilkEnhancer is an herbal formulation that has been clinically proven to increase breast milk production. Many women have reported a marked increase in their lactation within 24 to 72 hours of its intake. BoostMilkEnhancer has been formulated using unique herbal ingredients to stimulate milk production naturally and ensure that you can meet your baby's nutrition requirements.

Money-Back guarantee: You may return any unused and unopened item for any reason within Ninety (90) days of your purchase.

BoostMilkEnhancer Ingredients: Artichoke, Milk Thistle Seed Extract, Fenugreek, Basil, Alfalfa.

Why #1? BoostMilkEnhancer is a unique formulation as compared to other natural milk enhancers that you can find on the market. It's available in a capsule form and contain hundred percent herbal ingredients. So it provides a natural approach to stimulate your body and increase breast milk production. The best part is that its effectiveness has been clinically proven.

Order BoostMilkEnhancer #2 - PrenatalPack, 81 points out of 100. PrenatalPack, provided by Douglas Laboratories, supplies a comprehensive blend of ingredients to help support maternal health and wellness during pregnancy and lactation.

Money-Back guarantee: Returns are only accepted within 30 days of receipt by the customer. Unopened products returned in original, sealed packaging will receive a 100% credit. Opened products (or any damaged products or products with damaged seals) will receive a 50% credit, up to a maximum of 1 open bottle per product.

PrenatalPack Ingredients: Vitamin A (as natural beta-carotene), Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid), Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol), Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopheryl succinate and d-alpha tocopherol), Thiamine (as thiamine mononitrate), Riboflavin, Niacinamide, Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine HCI), Folate (as L-methylfolate, Metafolin), Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin), Biotin, Panthothenic Acid (as calcium pantothenate), Calcium (as citrate), Iron (as Ferronyl), Iodine (from potassium iodide), Magnesium (from citrate), Zinc (from citrate), Selenium (from selenomethionine), Copper (from copper glycinate), Manganese (from citrate), Chromium (from GTF), Molybdenum (from), Marine Lip. Triglycerides, Lutein (from marigold flower).

Why not #1? With over 20 essential nutrients Douglas Labs' PrenatalPack is a great choice for women looking to supplement a healthy diet during pregnancy and lactation. However, it is not designed to increase breast milk. Money-back guarantee is only 30 days, only unopened products will receive a 100% refund.

Order PrenatalPack

How Low Breast Milk Affects Baby

The low weight of your baby or a failure to gain weight may be seen as an indication that your baby is getting less milk than what is required for his proper nutrition. Improper nutrition will affect your child's physical and mental growth. It's very important to track the weight of your baby.

If he is losing weight or not showing an ideal weight for his age, promptly consult your pediatrician. In many cases, an improvement in your breastfeeding technique will restore his normal weight. If your breast milk production is really low, breastfeeding specialists will recommend the most suitable natural breastfeeding medications for you and your baby.