What to do if there is a strong flow of milk. When does the milk come in? How to determine if there is not enough milk

In this article we will try to understand what the formation of stable lactation after childbirth depends on, and how to avoid problems and complications with breastfeeding.

Let's start with the fact that the mammary gland is an organ of the endocrine system, one of the main functions of which is the production of milk for feeding the child. All processes occurring in the mammary gland after childbirth are subject to certain laws of lactation physiology.

The concept of “stable lactation” means that the process of milk production and consumption works in a “supply-demand” rhythm, i.e. milk arrives exactly as much as the baby needs: there is no excess milk and no shortage of milk. Regulation of this process occurs within 1-3 months after birth, provided that breastfeeding is properly organized.

The most “critical” period for the formation of lactation is the first 1-3 months. Most breastfeeding problems occur in nursing mothers during this period. In conditions of unstable lactation, any maternal error in feeding can result in either lactostasis, mastitis, or lack of milk.

The first drops.

In an ideal situation, after birth, the baby should be put to the breast within an hour, preferably after 20-30 minutes, and allowed to nurse longer. First, one breast for about 20 minutes, and the other for about the same time. It is the prolonged first breastfeeding that will be the first step towards long-term and sustainable lactation. It has been established that within 6 hours after birth a newborn retains the highest sucking activity, so it is necessary that the baby be with the mother. It is better to agree on this in advance with the medical staff of the maternity hospital. Doctors who are competent in breastfeeding issues have nothing against mother and baby being together immediately after birth and frequent breastfeeding. Every woman needs help in putting her baby to the breast, no matter how big her baby is. Ask a midwife or nurse who is trained in latching. If there are none, you can seek help from consultants breastfeeding. They will help you master breastfeeding techniques.

You may say: “But in the first days after childbirth there is no milk in the breast!” And the child doesn’t even need it in the first days of life! A newborn baby is focused on colostrum alone. There is not a lot of it, but it is enough for the baby to live normally. Supplemental feeding of a child in the first days of life is dangerous both for the baby and for the formation of stable lactation. Here are some tips for new mothers:

• Learn how to properly attach your baby to the breast, this will allow you to avoid many problems and complications with the breast.
• Attach your baby to your breast in response to every squeak and searching movements of the head.
• Until the milk comes in, change the breast every feeding, or, if the baby suckles for a long time, transfer it to the other breast.
• Feed your baby at night and put him in your bed for more frequent feedings.
• Do not give your baby a pacifier; this spoils the quality of the baby's attachment to the breast and can lead to cracked nipples.
• Do not pay attention to the baby’s weight loss; it does not depend at all on the method of feeding. Better count the number of wet diapers. On one colostrum in the first 2-3 days, 2 wet diapers are enough. From days 3 to 5 - 4. Starting from day 6 - there must be at least 6 wet diapers per day. If your baby “fits within this framework,” it means that his nutritional needs are COMPLETELY SATISFIED.
  If your baby still needs supplemental feeding, make sure that he is supplemented from a spoon, pipette or small cup, and NOT FROM a BOTTLE, because this can lead to the baby refusing to breastfeed.

The milk has arrived!

The first flush usually occurs 2-5 days after birth. Delayed milk arrival on days 6-10 occurs most often in women after complicated childbirth, when there was no first attachment to the breast, the baby was artificially fed in the first days of life and the breast “did not receive” a signal that milk was in demand.

The tide feels like a heaviness in the chest, the breast looks very dense and evenly filled, milk flows out easily. But this should not cause significant inconvenience to the mother. If the baby is nearby and there is an opportunity for frequent feedings, then the woman can safely do without pumping. When I talk about frequent feedings, I mean feedings about once an hour during the day and 3-5 feedings at night. It is in your interests to independently regulate the frequency of feedings according to mutual demand - when the baby shows a desire to suck and when your breast “demands” attachment. Just pick up your sleepy baby and put him to your breast. Remember to attach to the breast correctly, this will ensure a good flow of milk. With frequent and short-term attachments, the same breast is offered several times. If the sucking was prolonged (30-60 minutes), then give the other breast at the next feeding. If there is stronger filling in one breast, then apply to it first. There is no need to limit yourself to fluids. Recent studies prove that reducing fluid intake does not reduce hot flashes, but leads to a deterioration in the mother’s emotional state and depression.

In the case of a significant hot flash, when the chest “gets hot”, the chest bursts and begins to itch, you must wait 24 hours from the start of the hot flash, continuing to frequently apply the baby to the breast, and change the breast, as described above. If after 24 hours there is no relief, the breasts have become swollen and painful to the touch, and the temperature has risen, then you need to express once as much as possible, but no later than 9 o’clock in the evening and no earlier than 9 o’clock in the morning. Then pump 2-3 times a day until you feel relief. This condition is called breast engorgement. With proper actions and proper latching of the baby to the breast, it goes away in 2-4 days, after which there is no need to pump.

If you start actively pumping immediately after the onset of a hot flash, a whole series of new hot flashes will arise and, as a result, you can become a “pumping fanatic.”

Milk rivers.

The second hot flash can begin 9-21 days after birth. Looks the same as the first tide, often accompanied by a temperature rise of up to 38 degrees. There is no need to worry, this is a physiological phenomenon - a change in the composition of milk occurs in the breast. Transitional milk changes to mature milk. The mother’s actions should be the same as during the first flush.

Before the onset of a period of stable lactation, small hot flashes may sometimes recur. The woman’s endocrine system is actively working to determine the amount of milk, necessary for the child. Natural mechanisms begin to work in a mother-child rhythm.

What actions of the mother can interfere with this process?

• Rare breastfeeding, once every 2-3 hours.
• Supplementing with water and supplementing with formula.
• Rare or no night feedings.
• Limitation by the mother of the duration of sucking.
• Frequent breast changes.
• Incorrect attachment to the breast.
• Uncomfortable position when feeding.
• Use of pacifiers and pacifiers.
• Regular pumping.

If a mother does not make these mistakes in feeding her baby, then, as a rule, she does not encounter problems and complications of breastfeeding.

Unity "mother-child".

“Breast passions” are left behind, the baby is snoring peacefully at his mother’s breast. Having established proper feedings from the very beginning, my mother managed to avoid problems. She knows about lactostasis and mastitis only from hearsay, and she is also not in danger of a lack of milk. The baby is gaining weight well, he is full and happy. Breast volume has returned to its previous norms and between feedings the breasts hardly fill up. But the milk has not decreased; it comes when the baby begins to suck. And in response to the “request” he immediately receives a fresh portion of milk. The baby also does not have any problems with latching - after all, he has never sucked a pacifier, and his mother taught him (and learned herself) how to attach correctly. At night the baby sleeps next to his mother. After all, she is the one who feeds him and warms him, comforts him and protects him. When asked to nurse at night, the baby receives the breast in the same way as during the day. During the day, the mother carries her child in her arms or in a sling without fear of “spoiling” the child. Everyone is glad and happy. We'll be feeding for a long time!

Prugova Galina,
lactation consultant

All mothers wonder how to increase lactation when there is not enough food for the infant. Some advise drinking teas to increase lactation; Dr. Komarovsky recommends doing exercises and taking special tablets and medications in the form of vitamins. Also, stimulation of lactation requires patience, because in order to breast milk, you need not only to drink remedies and teas, but also to work on the production of prolactin so that the hormone increases in the blood.

Why doesn’t breast milk come on its own, which is why the flow disappears, and how to prevent this? To have a lot of breast milk, you do not need to have good genetic data. To increase lactation painlessly and urgently, you can take medications that increase hormone production, as well as carry out the necessary exercises.

Rapid increase in lactation after childbirth

To increase lactation and increase the fat content of breast milk, mothers can eat fatty foods. Well stimulates breast milk production:

The amount of breast milk you produce also depends on how many times you eat these foods. The volume of fluid consumed is also important. You need to drink at least 1.5 liters per day. The hormone prolactin “loves” when the body has a supply of fluid so that the components of substances can be quickly processed into food. Depending on how much food and water are supplied to the body, the influx will increase.

It is advisable to steam or boil products so that harmful minerals (salts, gases, oils) do not escape from fried components and substances. If your doctor recommends taking pills or drinking teas, don't refuse. Very often, after childbirth, lactation has not yet been established - one breast may be larger than the other, and after feeding there is little milk in the other breast. When pumping, it takes about 3 hours to produce a new secretion. If the baby is already hungry by then, feed him from the other breast. It will not be possible to quickly increase the quantity; you need to do everything gradually.

In order for the hormone prolactin to constantly increase, it is necessary to choose methods that will help normalize lactation.

Techniques	Taking action	Result
Amount of water	Depending on how much water enters the body of a nursing woman, the volume of milk will increase. Milk secretion stimulates the ductal compartment, where the hormone accumulates. It is excreted along with water after entering the nutrient concentration.	The amount of milk increases, the volume of the gland also reaches other sizes. After childbirth, sometimes one gland is larger than the other. This is caused by abnormal lactation, when the hormone does not yet know how much food is needed.
Fat content of products	The fat content of foods does not affect the amount of secretion. If there are foods that have a high fat content, only the nursing mother will gain weight. After childbirth, there is usually a shortage of milk, but fatty foods are contraindicated for the mother throughout the first month.	Feeding is also not affected by the amount of fat eaten. It may seem that a nursing mother is losing milk due to a strict diet, but this is not the case. One woman will get enough food, the other will have a poor appetite, can only drink water, and the milk will only remain longer. Metabolism, health status, age, and genetics are important here.
Pills	Pills and medications that affect the hormone may take some time to take effect. Some products can neutralize the effects of medications, so medications should be selected by a doctor.	You can take herbs, use traditional methods, in order to enhance the flow of secretion. However, it will grow only with feeding, when the child contributes to the production of lactation.
	It is permissible to eat cumin without anything, as well as food containing cumin. If there is a lack of lactation, you are allowed to eat 40 grams of cumin.	Cumin has a positive effect on the hormone prolactin. If you eat more bread that contains cumin, lactation in a nursing mother increases to 250 ml per day. When expressing, this becomes noticeable, but one gland may appear larger than the other.
Pumping	The more you pump, the larger and more abundant the lactation. The pumping process should occur every time after feeding the baby.	Each feeding should end with pumping. Each time the amount of milk expressed will increase, the flow will increase, and the hormone will be produced to a greater extent.
		A nursing mother is allowed to perform water procedures during feeding no more than 4 times a day.

If there is not enough milk during prolonged breastfeeding

If you no longer have enough milk, it is recommended to take special teas. They have a positive effect on the hormone, provoking the secretion of secretions from the glands. The teas are based on herbs that have a calming effect on the child. For a mother, this is one of the most simple ways after prolonged lactation, resume and continue feeding. If the baby does not eat enough or does not have enough food, it is recommended to increase the fat content of the foods. After 4-7 months, it is permissible to consume the amount of carbohydrate substances that was not possible before.

One serving should be 87% fat, carbohydrates and protein. The remaining percentage comes from vitamins and minerals. It is important that this is a portion calculation at a time; vitamins can be taken separately - fruits, vegetables, multivitamins. One serving of vitamins should have:

• 50% vitamin C;
• 20-30% vitamins of group A;
• 10-20% vitamins E;
• the rest is vitamins and minerals, active salts.

Also, the child does not have enough food if the mother constantly has no time to eat. As a rule, some mothers go to work trying to maintain lactation, but due to a tight schedule there is not enough time to have lunch. It is still recommended to find time for a snack, otherwise feeding will stop very soon. At the same time, it is permissible not to observe the fat and calorie content of foods. If the break between meals is more than 3 hours, you need to drink more water. After the end of the working day, you should not deprive yourself of tasty food; it is recommended to eat a hearty and tasty meal, so that there is still milk for night feeding. In cases where work situations dictate unspoken rules, and the employee must maintain a slim figure, women can reduce dinner to dietary dishes. At the same time, the fat content of the products should be 33%, no less.

You cannot follow a diet if lactation is more important for the mother, since physical exercise and reducing the caloric content of food can trigger a reduction in adipose tissue in the glands, which is necessary for full feeding. Some women prefer to use herbs and natural components of substances to maintain lactation if there is not enough food for the baby.

Simple folk ways to increase milk flow

If the baby does not have enough milk, it is best to use cumin. It is recommended to drink either cumin tea or infusion, or prepare cream. Cumin helps increase the fat content of milk, and also significantly increases its flow to the milk ducts. Cumin is easy to prepare for kvass, which can be taken in hot summer months instead of regular water.

These are so simple and effective advice. The main thing is not to self-medicate, not to use unknown medications, the reaction of which has not been tested either by time or by test procedures.

Almost every mother knows about the benefits of breastfeeding. In addition to the positive impact on the health of the baby and the woman, breastfeeding eliminates many financial and everyday problems, since you don’t have to spend money on purchasing baby food, bottles, formula warmers, etc., and mommy is freed from worries about sterilizing feeding utensils and diluting formula, which is especially painful at night. But even knowing all the benefits of natural feeding and having the mindset for long-term breastfeeding, no one is immune from the fact that problems with lactation may arise. In order to be prepared and feed the baby breast milk for as long as the mother wants, you need to know the features of its appearance, the reasons for the absence or insufficient milk production and ways to establish lactation.

When does breast milk come in?

Throughout pregnancy, a woman’s mammary glands prepare to fulfill their main purpose. Namely, to feeding the baby with breast milk. The expectant mother's breasts begin to increase in size, recent months Colostrum, which is the primary milk, may even be released. Immediately after birth, the baby eats colostrum. Its benefits in the formation of immunity and health in general are difficult to overestimate, since it contains the maximum concentration of useful substances. At first glance, it may seem that its quantity is not enough to saturate a newborn baby. But the high nutritional value and energy value of colostrum, even in small quantities, can satisfy the baby’s hunger.

Some time after birth, real milk comes, which is called transitional milk. The timing of its arrival is individual and depends on many factors. Women who have given birth for the first time usually report a later appearance of milk. On average, this occurs 3-4 days after birth. It is considered normal even if it arrives within a week.

Those women who become mothers again most often experience a rush of milk a little earlier. It may appear as early as 2–3 days after the baby is born.

Mothers who give birth by cesarean section begin to feel the pain approximately 5-6 days after the baby is born. This deadline may be postponed 2 days earlier or later. All this is a variant of the norm.

Genetic factors also influence the timing of breast milk arrival. If milk came early for women in the family, then with a high degree of probability it will arrive to the new mother earlier than to the others.

The author of the article became a mother twice. The difference between the children was 13 years. Perhaps this is why the principle of milk arrival in a multiparous woman did not work. As with the first child, the milk arrived only on the 5th day after birth. I assume that since the period of time after the first birth turned out to be very long, the body did not remember the mechanism of lactation and therefore perceived this situation as if it were the first time.

No less important in the timing of the appearance of breast milk is the first attachment to the breast. Ideally, the baby should be attached no later than 30 minutes after birth. This stimulates lactation and allows you to feel the arrival of milk a little earlier than with late latching. But in some cases this cannot be done, for example, due to poor health of the baby or mother. Therefore, if early application did not work out, you should not despair. It will be possible to attach the child later.

The timing of the arrival of breast milk is greatly influenced by the first attachment of a newborn to the breast.

Reasons for lack of breast milk after childbirth

The fact that breast milk arrives a little later than the baby is born is explained by some scientists as the “wisdom” of nature. At the moment of the birth of the baby, he and his mother face other tasks. First of all, the baby needs to adapt to new food. And a small amount of colostrum at this point is the ideal food for a newborn. Stress after childbirth also requires a lot of energy to recover, so a large flow of milk during this period is of no use to either the child or the new mother. Until the lactation mechanism has started “to its fullest”, the baby and his mother learn how to latch on correctly, so that later there will be no problems with the volume of milk that appears later.

There is no need to worry if colostrum does not appear before birth. For many women, it appears only after the baby is born. The lack of colostrum for 2-3 days after birth should also not be a reason to panic. For most women it comes sooner or later.

The complete absence of milk after childbirth and the inability to produce it is called agalactia and is quite rare (no more often than 3% of women). Most mothers who have difficulty establishing breastfeeding experience hypolactia, a state of insufficient breast milk production when the quantity does not meet the baby's needs.

The causes of agalactia and hypolactia can be:

1. Breast underdevelopment. Big breasts plump woman often masks this problem, since its volume is compensated by adipose tissue.
2. Atrophy of the mammary glands. This can happen even with well-developed breasts if a woman gives birth for the first time at a late age. The atrophy process is also influenced by prolonged malnutrition and other factors that can reduce the secretory function of the breast (neurohormonal disorders, unfavorable pregnancy, etc.).
3. Congenital pathology, which includes the absence of lactocyte receptors (cells that produce milk).
4. Diseases that affect the condition of the mammary glands. Although they recover well from illness, sometimes a previous illness can lead to narrowing of the milk ducts or scarring in the breasts. Such conditions can be a consequence, for example, of purulent mastitis or tumors.
5. Diseases of the pituitary gland, which are manifested by its weak activity in the formation of prolactin.
6. Diseases of the hypothalamus resulting from injuries and bruises.
7. Taking medications that inhibit the production of prolactin. For example, Bromocriptine, Pergolide, Tamoxifen, Clostibegit.
8. Infectious diseases. For example, hepatitis, helminthic infestations, ascoridosis, etc.
9. Severe pregnancy and childbirth (late-term toxicosis, postpartum infections, etc.).
10. Caesarean section and premature birth. Nature intended that the lactation process starts after labor. In the case of a cesarean section, the birth of a child occurs artificially, so the process of milk production may slow down slightly. Regarding premature birth, the problem of hypolactia arises due to the low weight of the child, the immaturity of his sucking reflex and late attachment. Despite this, cesarean section and premature birth should not be regarded as an absolute indicator of poor lactation. In most cases, the problem of hypolactia in these situations can be corrected.
11. Bad habits. Experimental data have confirmed that lactation is inhibited by regular inhalation of tobacco smoke. Passive smoking also inhibits the release of prolactin, which is involved in stimulating milk production.
12. Obesity or low weight. These conditions often lead to poor prolactin production.
13. Incorrect feeding technique. Incorrect and irregular breastfeeding, switching to artificial formula, and early complementary feeding can lead to a decrease in the amount of breast milk.
14. Stress.
15. Incorrect or insufficient nutrition, inadequate rest.
16. Insufficient fluid intake.

In my family, it was always believed that women of our kind are not capable of feeding a child. Babies were fed breast milk for a maximum of 1 month, and more often from birth they were supplemented with formula, since it was believed that there was no milk at all or very little. I thought so too, until I gave birth to my second child and set out to feed him until he was at least six months old. The small volume of the chest raised concerns that it would not be possible to cope with this task. I didn't have any colostrum during pregnancy, which didn't help my confidence either. But, despite all the fears, I completed this mission. Moreover, I still feed my son, and he is already one and a half years old. Therefore, I can say with confidence that in our family there is hypolactia, which we are quite capable of coping with. There would be desire and persistence.

One of the main factors inhibiting full lactation is the lack of regular and frequent emptying of the mammary glands.

What needs to be done to improve lactation

The hormones prolactin and oxytocin are responsible for the process of lactation in a woman’s body. Prolactin is responsible for the production of breast milk, and oxytocin is responsible for excretion. Knowing the mechanisms of their stimulation, you can start the lactation process.

The production of these hormones is stimulated when the baby suckles at the breast. Nerve endings located on the nipples give the brain a signal to increase the release of hormones. Prolactin is produced best at night. This is why night feedings are so important. Oxytocin begins to be synthesized faster at the sight of the baby, feeling his smell, positive thoughts about him and feedings in general. Stress and self-doubt, on the contrary, inhibit its production.

Drawing a conclusion from what was said above, we can give a recommendation to put the baby to the breast as often as possible, thereby stimulating the nerve endings, not to skip night feedings and to be in a positive frame of mind.

Hormones such as prolactin and oxytocin are responsible for lactation.

Despite the fact that hormones play a dominant role in lactation, there are other factors that contribute to the establishment of lactation:

1. By eliminating errors in the technique and organization of feedings (correct positioning of the baby, night feedings and switching to feedings on demand, abandonment of pacifiers and pacifiers), lactation in most cases improves. It must be remembered that the activity and effectiveness of his sucking depends on how correctly the baby grasps the breast. The baby should completely grasp the nipple and most of the areola. The lips should be turned outward, the chin should be pressed to the chest, and the nose should not sink into it. It should not be audible during sucking. extraneous sounds, for example, smacking, but only swallowing milk. If the baby takes the breast incorrectly, then you should definitely correct the situation: offer it to the baby again, carefully turn the lips outward, if they are turned inward.
2. Adequate nutrition and drinking regime for the mother. A woman’s body must have large resources to produce milk, so nutrition must be sufficient to ensure full lactation. A breastfeeding woman needs to consume at least 2500–3000 kcal per day. You should drink about 2–2.5 liters of fluid per day, so that it is enough not only to maintain the vital functions of the body, but also to produce milk.
3. Drink a cup of warm liquid before feeding. Warm drinking has a beneficial effect on lactation, as it stimulates the flow of milk, facilitates its easier release from the mammary gland, thereby making the feeding process easier for the baby. To replenish lost fluid, it is recommended to drink something immediately after feeding: for example, a glass of compote or water.
4. Use of lactogenic drugs and herbs. Their choice is now quite large. For example, milk formula for nursing mothers Lactamil, herbal tea, dietary supplement Apilak and others are very popular. Lactamil is a dry milk mixture containing a lactate-forming herbal mixture, represented by anise, fennel, nettle and caraway. In addition to lactogenic properties, a drink prepared from this composition fills a woman’s body with essential macro- and microelements, vitamins and nutrients. Herbal tea Lactaphytol is a filter bag containing a mixture of fennel, cumin, anise and nettle. These herbs have a beneficial effect on lactation due to their lactation-forming properties. The biologically active food supplement Apilak contains royal jelly and, in addition to its lactogenic properties, has a general tonic effect, stimulates cellular metabolism and regenerative processes in the body. In addition to purchased products, you can make your own decoctions from herbs, for example, from nettle, linden, and anise.
5. Positive psychological attitude and family support. Stress and overwork can lead to deterioration of lactation, so the help of others in performing household chores and psychological support is very important so that a nursing woman can fully rest, get enough sleep and feel emotional comfort. The moral support of relatives in the desire to establish lactation plays a very important role important role. Skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby promotes closer interaction. As a result, oxytocin begins to be produced in enhanced mode.

Photo gallery: lactogonic drugs

The biologically active food supplement Apilak not only helps to establish lactation, but also has a general strengthening effect on the body.
Lactamil is a dry milk mixture with herbal mixture from lactogonic herbs Lactaphytol herbal tea includes a collection of nettle, fennel, anise, cumin

Lactation consultants recommend that women who are experiencing problems with lactation practice the nesting technique for a few days. It involves arranging a sleeping place for mother and baby in such a way that they are together for 24 hours. It is allowed to separate the mother from the child only for the time of visiting the toilet and eating. Close proximity between mother and child will contribute to the production of oxytocin, frequent breastfeeding will also promote the synthesis of prolactin, and the absence of household chores will help the nursing woman rest and recuperate.

When applied correctly to the breast, the baby’s mouth is open wide, the chin touches it, and the mouth grabs most of areolas, and the baby's lips are turned outward

What to do if milk starts to disappear

There are often cases when a nursing woman had milk after giving birth, but then it began to disappear. The reasons for this may be improper attachment, non-compliance with the rules of successful breastfeeding (feeding by the hour, not on demand, using a pacifier and pacifier, supplementing with a bottle), suboptimal diet and rest, inadequate drinking regimen, and psychological discomfort. Methods for establishing lactation in this case are the same as in the absence of milk after childbirth: frequent breastfeeding, feeding on demand (especially at night), close skin-to-skin contact, adherence to the regimen and quality of nutrition, rest and consumption liquids, the use of herbal infusions and pharmaceuticals to increase breast milk production. And most importantly, a positive attitude towards successful and long-term breastfeeding.

My experience in communicating with young mothers has shown that even with a lot of milk already in the maternity hospital, few continue breastfeeding. They claim that upon arrival home the milk disappeared for no reason, and no matter how hard they tried, they could not return it. However, such words cover up, perhaps, an unconscious reluctance to feed your baby, laziness or ignorance of the rules of breastfeeding. On the contrary, I had practically no milk in the maternity hospital. I struggled for breast milk for several months. To all the persuasion of relatives to give the child complementary foods in order to be a little more free, she gave a categorical refusal. For me, an important indicator was the baby’s stable and very good weight gain. The result is long-lasting and successful breastfeeding.

Periodically during lactation, lactation crises occur, which many confuse with the loss of breast milk. However, these phenomena are primarily associated with the growth of the baby, who requires an increasing amount of food. It takes time to adapt the body to the new needs of the baby. Therefore, over the course of 3–4 days, the child may demand to eat more often. During this period, it is important not to get upset and give the baby the breast as often as he needs it.

Throughout the entire period of breastfeeding, lactation crises occurred to me every 2–3 months. At these moments, the baby asked for the breast very often. Sometimes even every hour. At this time, hot tea before feeding and the use of Lactaphytol and Lactamil, which I still drink as a substitute for multivitamins, helped me a lot at this time.

Video: what to do when milk goes missing

Not everyone experiences the process of establishing lactation spontaneously without difficulty. But successful breastfeeding is possible in almost every case. The main thing is to trust yourself and your child, follow the rules and maintain an optimistic attitude.

Even dads already know that milk does not come immediately after childbirth. There are ways to determine whether the baby is really satiated, whether he has enough nutrition.

If it turns out not, there are options to improve lactation.

How do nutrients arrive?

Nature has arranged for the newborn to get used to extrauterine life gradually. In accordance with its needs after childbirth, the mother’s body also “works,” including the arrival of milk:

• Colostrum appears first - immediately after birth, in the last weeks of pregnancy, on the first day;
• then it gradually transforms into transitional milk - for first-time mothers on days 3-6, for repeat mothers - on days 2-4;
• and then the mature one appears, the real one - on the 6-10th day.

Between the second and sixth days

Colostrum is super milk, high in calories (1500 kcal), which provides the baby with many nutrients, antibodies that promote the excretion of meconium and bilirubin - the substance that leads to jaundice. You don’t need a lot of this milk after birth; the volume of a newborn’s stomach is only 5-7 ml.

Gradually it becomes transitional - the volume increases, the fat content increases, the protein content decreases, and there is more water. Hot flashes can lead to breast enlargement, swelling, and a feeling of fullness.

Then the mature one appears, containing 88% water. On what day after birth such milk comes in is in many ways very individual.

When feeding, the baby first sucks out the so-called front part, which contains the most water and carbohydrates, and then the back part, which is the most nutritious. It varies even according to appearance. The anterior one is watery, bluish in color, the posterior one is bright white, dense, sometimes yellowish.

There are several rules that after childbirth will help a mother solve the problem of how to develop breast milk:

• attach the baby as soon as he shows signs of anxiety (at least every 15 minutes);
• let him suckle until he lets go of the breast, especially early in the morning. This best way quickly establish lactation - the mother’s body receives signals about the baby’s needs and works in accordance with them. Cracks in the nipples do not appear from prolonged sucking, but from improper latching. There is a reliable way of what to do after childbirth so that milk appears faster. This means not skipping pre-dawn feedings, when prolactin is most intensely produced;
• do not use any substitutes - nipples, pacifiers, bottles. A child who is simply thirsty can suckle at the breast for five to ten minutes; if he is hungry, he will do it longer. Exceptional cases when ordinary water is required can be solved using a spoon, pipette, or syringe without a needle, but not with nipples;
• if milk comes in when the mother does not have the opportunity to feed on demand after giving birth (she needs to leave the house, etc.), she will have to use constant pumping.

The only cause for alarm should be crying under the breast or immediately after sucking. This means that either the quantity is really small, which is quite rare, or the most unpleasant thing begins - breast refusal.

Is the baby getting enough nutrition?

After giving birth, the most difficult thing is to understand that there really is enough milk, and not to look for ways to induce it. Mom can be guided by the following signs:

• how many times does the baby pee - by the third day this should happen 6-8 times, if less, dehydration is possible;
• how the stool changes - from black meconium in the first days to green and brown; when milk arrives after childbirth, the color turns yellow and the consistency becomes like mustard;
• the number of bowel movements is up to two or three times a day, although it happens after each feeding;
• a feeling of some fullness in the breasts before feeding, some emptying after, wetness of the bra in small quantities between feedings; but all this stops at about one month of age of the child, milk after birth comes in sufficient quantities when the child suckles on demand;
• baby’s behavior during feeding – vigorous sucking, swallowing sounds;
• The general condition of the baby is a satisfied, healthy appearance.

Control feeding during natural feeding very rarely shows real results. If the baby just wants to drink, then he can suck out only 10 g. This is not a reason after birth to worry about why the milk is not coming. Provided that the baby grows normally, gains weight, and develops.

The same goes for weight gain. The tables are very average, and some babies may gain weight less intensely, others more. In general, weight is a relative indicator. If everything goes well, then small deviations cannot be a sign of pathology. Normal limits for a baby older than a week– from 125 to 500 g per week.

Most newborns ask for the breast 10-15 times a day

You cannot judge that milk comes in small quantities after childbirth based on the condition of your breasts. By about a month, with the right approach to feeding, the breasts are almost always soft. Milk begins to be produced in it only while the baby is sucking. If you “accumulate” milk between feedings, its amount will begin to decrease.

Possible actions in case of deficiency

Eats mixture

Sometimes, after giving birth, you actually have to find out the reasons why there is no milk. But we must remember that serious reasons for this exist only in 3% of cases. The rest are associated with a misunderstanding of the process of feeding a baby.

Cause	Elimination
The break between applications is more than 3 hours, feeding according to the schedule	Attach your baby at the first sign of anxiety; if he sleeps for more than three hours, you need to wake him up
No pre-dawn feedings	Make sure that after childbirth there is a mandatory latching between 3 and 8 a.m., regardless of what day the milk comes in
The use of “substitutes” - pacifiers, bottles	Stop using them
Incorrect application technique	Make sure that the baby takes the breast correctly, grabbing not the nipple, but the areola around it
Primary hypogalactia – lack of milk due to hormonal disorders	After childbirth, milk does not appear after as many days as it should, or there is little of it; treatment with hormones, physical procedures, and special medications is carried out
Secondary hypogalactia - a deficiency due to previous injuries or illnesses	Ensure the physical and psychological comfort of the mother, constantly attach the baby to the breast
Agalactia - complete absence of milk	Primary (underdevelopment of glands, absence of glandular tissue) cannot be treated. If there is no milk after childbirth, the only way to do it is to find a donor or feed with formula. Relative treatment is treated over two weeks and involves eliminating the disease that caused it (exhaustion, stress)

Sometimes inexperienced mothers after childbirth assume they have a lack of milk and look for ways to speed up its flow. It can be difficult to understand the situation on your own, but now there are lactation consultants who can help clarify the situation and improve lactation.

Some recipes traditional medicine may also be useful in this matter. Their effectiveness has not been proven in any way by medical research. Nevertheless, many women report success with use.

Traditional methods of treatment

Before trying one of the recipes, be sure to get permission from your pediatrician or feeding consultant. And you need to clearly understand how many days after birth milk comes in, in what volumes.

Nettle infusion will help you recover and cope with the problem.

Nettle infusion.

Required components:

• dry nettle leaves – 40 g;
• water – 2 l.

Preparation and use.

1. Boil water and pour it over the leaves.
2. Leave until cool, strain.
3. Drink a tablespoon three times a day.

About.

Lactation collection.

For preparation you need:

• fruits of dill, oregano, anise, fennel in equal parts by mass;
• water.

Preparation and use.

1. The fruits are well ground - for example, using a coffee grinder.
2. Use it as tea - pour boiling water over a teaspoon of the mixture.
3. Take up to three times a day.

: Borovikova Olga

gynecologist, ultrasound doctor, geneticist

The period when milk comes in is quite painful for most women, and in this article we will try to help you get through it as easily as possible.

After childbirth, there is no milk in the breast, there is only a thick yellowish liquid, colostrum. This particularly valuable product is very important for the child, as it gives him antibodies that will protect him in the future. The baby feeds on colostrum for the first time; there is not much of it at all, and your breasts seem empty. The baby can literally “hang” on the chest for hours, extracting precious drops, and you will be impatiently waiting, well, when the breast will fill with milk and it will stop tormenting you...

When does milk come in after childbirth?

So when does milk come in after childbirth?

The timing on which day your milk comes depends on whether you carried the pregnancy to term or not, gave birth on your own or had a cesarean section, and on whether this is your first or second birth.

Usually there is no milk for 2 days, then transitional milk appears. There’s not a lot of it either, but you can express it if you want, and it’s yellowish and thick. Hot flashes happen suddenly, especially if this is your first birth. In the morning, on the 3-4th day, milk comes in, you wake up from a bursting pain in your chest and find that it has increased by 1-2 sizes and has become very hard. The breasts can become so stretched from milk that the nipples become flat and the baby cannot grasp them.

After the second birth, when breast milk comes in, there is less pain and the breasts do not swell as much. It doesn't increase like it did the first time. As a rule, the flow of milk is observed a little earlier; the body already knows what it needs to do.

The flow of milk is accompanied by an increase in local temperature, the breast is very hot, so in the maternity hospital they will measure your body temperature not in the armpit, which is close to the chest, but in the elbow. When measuring in the armpit there is a high probability of error, the thermometer will show high temperature, while there is actually no increase in her.

The time when milk comes in after a cesarean section, if the operation was at full term or was an emergency against the background of contractions that had already begun, is exactly the same, 3-4 days. It is another matter if a caesarean section was performed during a premature pregnancy. It may take a week or even more for your body to come to its senses, and no one can tell how long it will take for the milk to come; sometimes it doesn’t come at all.

Pain during milk let-down and how to help yourself

Bursting pain in the chest, difficulty latching onto the baby's nipple, all of this is of course very painful. The milk comes in - and the baby stops tormenting you, he is now full and sleeps more. And you don't know what to do with your breasts.

This is a common occurrence, but it cannot be tolerated or ignored. If you do not feed and the breasts do not empty, this may result in purulent inflammation and mastitis after childbirth. Pain during milk letdown will be less if you follow simple recommendations:

It is necessary to feed from both breasts, and each new feeding should begin with the breast you finished with last time. If it seems to you that milk is coming into one breast, most likely you are simply feeding less. To make it easier to remember the breast you fed last time, you can simply pin a safe pin on that side of your clothing after finishing feeding.

Before you start feeding, you need to warm your breasts, so the milk will come out easier; apply a towel moistened with warm water to your breasts.

After feeding, you need to apply ice, this reduces milk production.

It sounds very strange, but it looks even stranger - fresh cabbage leaves help. Use large cabbage leaves, rinse and dry them, cut out nipple holes and place in your bra.

Wear a nursing bra 24/7. The bra must be exactly the right size, it should not be too tight on you, the straps should be wide, and underwires should not be allowed. Choose clothes that do not constrict your chest.

Don't stop feeding your baby, don't skip or shorten feedings because of pain. The less you feed, the worse the pain.

To make it easier for your baby to grasp the nipple, express the first drops of milk before starting feeding; the milk will flow out better.