How to Increase Breastmilk to Meet Baby Needs

The main food for newborns is breast milk. Newborns do not need additional fluids or other food. To increase milk to meet the needs of infants, there are many ways that can be done by mothers. According to research, exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months provides benefits that can be felt in the long run. Various world health institutions, including the World Health Organization (WHO), recommend exclusive breastfeeding because according to the results of research, babies who are given breast milk have a lower risk of developing infectious diseases, such as pneumonia and diarrhea. Breast milk can also support normal baby growth and development, and can reduce the risk of obesity in children and adolescents.

How to increase breast milk

Many ways you can do to increase breast milk, namely:

• Give breast milk continuously

In the first few weeks of birth, the schedule for breastfeeding may not be organized. Even so, give ASI whenever the baby needs it. You can breastfeed about two or three hours, because newborn babies usually drink milk eight to 12 times a day. Newborns need to be awakened for breastfeeding if the last breastfeeding is more than two hours. In principle, the more often given, the production of breast milk will increase. This happens because the hormone prolactin will work to stimulate milk production, if you continue to breastfeed.

• Enough rest

Rest is important to maintain the stability of milk production. Set your sleep schedule, for example if the baby is sleeping, you are recommended to sleep too. Resting can be done while relaxing with the baby or reduce activities outside the home. Avoid cigarettes and alcoholic drinks, because both of these can lead to reduced milk production.

• Avoid worry

You do not need to worry about lack of milk. As long as you are physically and mentally healthy and eat healthy food, you can still produce milk. Likewise with the baby's condition. As long as the baby is fine, he will continue to consume milk and breast milk will continue to be produced.

• Manage stress

During lactation, try to manage stress well. Stress may not reduce milk production, but it is thought to hamper the process of breastfeeding. Ask your partner to help with housework, or if necessary, ask for help from other family members in caring for the baby. All this to lighten your burden so you can breastfeed calmly.

• Share with other nursing mothers

Meeting fellow nursing mothers can make you have sharing friends. You can exchange stories about how to increase milk. You can also encourage each other to successfully give exclusive breastfeeding to your baby. Healthy Food for Breastfeeding Mothers

Nutrition in food and drinks that you consume will be given to babies through breast milk. Therefore, during exclusive breastfeeding, you need an additional calorie intake of 300-500 calories per day. You do not need to eat certain foods in order to increase milk. What is really needed is a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet to maintain the quality of breast milk. The food eaten must contain:

• Fiber

Obtained from vegetables, fruits, and cereals.

• Protein

Obtained from fish nutrition, eggs, meat, and nuts.

• Karbohirat complex

For example from rice, potatoes, pasta, and whole wheat bread.

• Milk or dairy products

You can try cheese and yogurt.

For vegetables and fruit, you are advised to consume at least five servings a day, as a complement to vitamins and minerals in the body. The following are some additional tips for increasing milk production, namely:

• Sufficient fluid needs

During breastfeeding, the mother is recommended to meet the needs of fluids. Therefore, milk production might decrease if the body lacks water. Provide water near you when on the move, so always remember to drink. Drink before you feel thirsty. If your urine is dark yellow, you need to drink more water. You can also increase fluid intake from milk and fresh fruit juices. Avoid consuming too much drinks that contain caffeine, such as tea and coffee. Limit intake, no more than 3 cups per day. The caffeine content in breast milk can cause babies to have trouble sleeping.

• Vitamin

You are advised to take vitamin D at least 2800 IU per day. This amount is far higher than the recommended daily intake of vitamin D for non-breastfeeding adults, which is 400 IU per day. Vitamins and other important substances needed can be obtained from the intake of nutritious foods that are consumed in various ways.

• Drugs

If some of the above methods have been done but breast milk is still considered insufficient to meet the needs of your child, you can consider using breastfeeding stimulants from your doctor, such as domperidone. During breastfeeding, you need to be more careful in taking drugs, including birth control pills. Before taking any medication, consult with your doctor first.

Various tips above you can do to increase milk production to meet the needs of your child. Do not hesitate to consult a lactation clinic for information on how to increase breast milk for nursing mothers.