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Probably one of the first things you’ll do after your delivery is breastfeeding your baby. Once this routine starts, it will continue for at least the first six months of your baby’s life, which makes maintaining a healthy breast milk supply extremely important.
It’s natural for you to worry from time to time if you’re making enough milk for your baby to grow and thrive. However, there’s isn’t much cause for concern as you can increase your breast milk supply naturally and easily. Here are 6 ways to help you out-
1. Ensure your baby latches on right
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With the breast milk, the simple rule is the more you release, the more you produce. For breasts to empty out though, your baby needs to have enough of it in one session. That said, your baby might not get enough milk if they don’t latch on correctly as they wouldn’t be able to suck on as much. So when you start your next feeding session, ensure that your baby latches on well, i.e., the latch has more breast tissue in it and not just your nipple.
2. Increase feeding sessions
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Most mothers like to stick to fixed feeding times as it offers convenience. However, this can affect your milk supply as your breasts need to be empty for them to produce more milk. You don’t really need to wait for your breasts to fill up in between the feeding sessions. Your baby anyway would want to feed every couple of hours, so increasing feeding sessions is actually a good idea. Not only will it satiate your baby’s hunger but will also help you empty your breasts and produce more milk.
3. Try a lactation supplement
If at any point, you feel like you’re not making enough milk for your baby, you can try out a lactation supplement to boost your milk supply. However, be sure you choose a natural one and not one made of chemicals as it can have side effects.
Doctors recommend Zandu’s Striveda. This 100-year-old brand’s lactation supplement is completely Ayurvedic and clinically proven to be safe. Dosage is pretty easy too as you just have to mix a spoonful or two in a glass of milk and have it once daily. Regular consumption will tremendously increase your milk production.
4. Use a breast pump
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Another way you can remove milk and increase production is by using a breast pump. Not many women are comfortable expressing milk by hand. So, for them, a breast pump is a handy solution. You can use the breast pump in between feeding sessions or even during it, that’s your choice. The point is to empty your breasts and remove excess milk so you can produce more for your baby.
5. Use both your breasts while feeding
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A very simple way to increase breast milk production is to offer both your breasts while feeding your baby. You should let your baby finish up on one side at the pace they’re comfy with and then offer the other. You can further boost the milk supply by compressing your breasts with your hands at the same time. Remember that using only one breast for feeding can reduce milk supply.
6. Follow a healthy lifestyle
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Image: ShutterstockThings like improper diet, lack of rest, and increased stress can negatively impact breast milk production. Hence, you should make it a point to follow a healthy lifestyle. Eat right, get as much sleep as you can and allow yourself some ‘me time’. De-stressing and unwinding can really help you have a healthy milk supply.
If you still face problems, having lactation supplements such as Zandu’s Striveda is a sure-shot way to getting your breast milk supply back on track.
