There is this belief among the black African community that when it comes to breastfeeding, women with small breasts tend to produce more milk than those with big boobs. I am unsure of the science behind this, but I have seen it true in some instances.
Be that as it may, every nursing woman wants to produce enough milk for her baby to be well-nourished, this is why there are strategies and suggested foods to eat for breastfeeding moms to help them increase their milk supply.
According to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, low breast milk supply can be caused by several factors, including delivery conditions like caesarean section, premature birth, stress, retained placental fragments, thyroid conditions, polycystic ovarian syndrome, diabetes, obesity, past breast surgery, and insufficient glandular breast tissue.
Relevant health publications suggest a few tips to help moms struggling with low breast milk.
Breastfeed more often: Healthline advises that you breastfeed frequently and let your baby decide when to stop feeding. “The more you breastfeed, the more milk your breasts make. Breastfeeding your new baby 8 to 12 times a day can help establish and maintain milk production.”
Pump after each feeding: It is stated by Pregnancy Birth & Baby that you pump milk a few minutes after each feeding session as this will provide extra stimulation to your breasts which will tell them to start producing more milk.
Reduce stress: Stress can hinder milk production and make it harder for your baby to get what they need, as stress can “Hamper your let-down reflex (which releases milk into your milk ducts,” states WebMD. ”
Prioritise rest: The WIC Breastfeeding Support publication suggests that you get sufficient sleep and maintain a balanced diet.
Massage your breasts: The above publication also advises that before feeding, unwind, cuddle your infant skin-to-skin, and give your breasts a gentle massage to help release milk.
