During later stages of pregnancy women experiences growth in a number of milk-producing cells and alveoli, this growth makes breasts grow in size and become fuller. Due to certain known and unknown reasons the alveoli either becomes over-active or dormant to cause excessive or lesser milk production. The factors which are known to lessen the quantity of milk in lactating mother are hormonal fluctuations, hormonal imbalance, genetic factors, and long illness prior to or during pregnancy.
Apart from these, improper feeding techniques, cracked nipples, use of birth control pills, hypothyroidism, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar levels are other reasons for low quantity of milk. Home remedies for low quantity of milk are effective and useful ways to increase the production of breast milk without any side effects.
Home Remedies for Low Quantity of Milk
Emptying breasts each time is one of the effective and safe home remedies for low quantity of milk. Whenever you feed the baby expel remaining milk out either by pressing with hands or breast pump. This signals the brain that child is consuming all the milk and it will instruct milk-producing cells and glands to increase the production. In many cases this simple practice work as one of the effective home remedies for low quantity of milk.
Proper Feeding Techniques to Improve Milk Quantity
Adopt proper feeding techniques, many a times mothers do not pay much heed to check baby’s head position while breastfeeding which results in lesser consumption of milk by the baby. When milk is leftover in breast after feeding, body produces lesser milk next time, assuming that baby does not need more.
Ensure that baby is engulfing nipple completely while suckling, design a pattern for feeding and check for irritations in baby’s mouth and breasts. The best way to feed baby is by sitting with legs folded and keeping a pillow on the lap. Place the baby over the pillow and feed. These simple measures ensure proper consumption of milk each time and work as useful home remedies for low quantity of milk.
Take warm water shower before breastfeeding, let the water flow over your bosom, this will make the flow of milk smooth and will also soften the breast to allow the baby to suckle properly. Taking shower a few times in a day can be troublesome so you can try another method. Soak a towel in warm water and wring to flush excess water out, cover bosom with the towel for a few minutes before feeding the baby. Both of these are effective home remedies for low quantity of milk as these ensure proper consumption by the baby.
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Massage Breasts – Best Way to Increase the Quantity of Milk
Massage breasts while feeding, start from shoulders and make circular motions with your fingers and move downwards, squeeze breasts gently like done during breast examination, these steps will keep the flow of milk smooth and allow baby to consume properly. These practices also work as effective home remedies for low quantity of milk.
Home Remedy to Treat Low Quantity of Milk
- Fenugreek
- Fennel Seeds
Fenugreek and fennel seeds are wonderful home remedies for low quantity of milk. Drink their decoction regularly to increase production. Add a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds to a cup of water and boil, let the mixture boil for few minutes and later let it cool down. Drink this tea, two-three cups in a day, to resolve the problem. You can use fenugreek in another way also, just take clean and washed seeds and ground them to form a powder, take a tablespoon of this powder and add to a glass of warm cow’s or goat’s milk, consume everyday for few days to enhance production of breast milk. In almost similar way fennel seeds can also be utilized for good effects, add two teaspoons of fennel seeds to a cup of water, boil for few minutes and strain. Drink when bearably warm and repeat two-three times in a day regularly to resolve the problem. These are trusted home remedies for low quantity of milk.
Fenugreek – Home Remedy for Low Quantity Milk
Goat’s rue belongs to same family of plants from which fenugreek comes and has similar properties to produce more breast milk. Just steep a teaspoon of dried seeds in a cup of boiling water and drink 2 to 3 cups in a day. This herb too is one of the best home remedies for low quantity of milk and is safe for mother and child both.
Drumstick Juice – Home Remedy to Improve Quantity of Milk
Extract drumstick juice, at least a cup or at the most half glass full and drink everyday. This juice stimulates mammary glands and opens-up veins of breasts to promote higher production of milk in lactating mothers. This too is one of the potent home remedies for low quantity of milk.
Home Remedies for Low Quantity of Milk
There are other herbs which are also used all around the world as home remedies for low quantity of milk like raspberry, milk thistle, caraway seeds, stinging nettle, lemon balm and chaste berry. All of these are herbal galactogogues which are known for no side effects yet their dosage shall be worked out in expert’s guidance before use. Eat nutritious and balanced diet and always stay hydrated, avoid stress and take care of your hygiene properly.