Here is how to boost breast milk production

Doctors insist there is no situation where a woman who has delivered fails to produce breast milk for their babies. It is rather that most women fail, especially psychologically, to rightly stimulate production, writes Christine Katende

Almost all nursing mothers have a fear - that they will not have enough breast milk for their babies. Therefore mothers give it as a reason for stopping to breast feed or introducing supplementary foods to the baby at an early stage.

According to Dr Nelson Ssewagudde, a gynecologist, a mother needs to know that breast milk is produced from stored energy formed during pregnancy. He says the first thing every nursing mother should do is determine whether her supply is low or not.
“There are really few incidences where a mother fails to produce breast milk completely, at least they shall not have enough but it shall be there,” notes the doctor.

Encourage demand
The doctor explains that with breastfeeding, the brain is stimulated to produce more milk with an increase in demand for the milk, so the first thing to do to stimulate production is continue placing the baby on the breast to suckle. The demand, to the brain, is demonstrated by milk being gotten out of the breast, either by suckling or expressing the milk out of the breast.

“The more important thing is how the baby feeds and how it is positioned while suckling the breast. The longer a baby nurses at the mother’s breast, the more milk will be produced and it is one of the best ways breast milk can be stimulated,” he explains.

Peace of mind
According to Dr Vincent Karuhanga, a private medical practitioner, breast milk production will certainly draw nutrients and energy from the mother. She should have enough rest whenever possible. She is entitled to enough food to replace the one that is used for milk production. “In that case, a mother needs to be well hydrated and should have a well-balanced diet to provide enough milk for her baby. While the baby is still on a full breast milk diet, the mother is advised to always relax and concentrate on feeding it during the first months,” Dr Karuhanga says.

The foods that will help
Dr Ssewagudde says there are no specific foods eaten for breast milk stimulation or production. Although drinking sufficient fluids will not make mothers produce more milk, the doctor advises nursing mothers to take plenty of fluids like milk, water or juice to help in refilling the lost fluids.

Karuhanga cautions nursing mothers not to over eat to prevent obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes among other health implications. “What a breast feeding mother needs is a balanced diet, high in fluids and other essential foods,” says the doctor.

Fish soup: This contains lot of proteins, which help a mother to improve her hydration. It also stimulates breast milk production. It should be taken more often.
Soy: It contains calcium, which is important for both the mother and the baby. The more it is taken, the more milk production will be realised.

Porridge: Whether it is made of maize or millet, porridge contains carbohydrates that help in restoring the lost calories during milk production. Nursing requires many calories each day to prevent mothers from having fatigue, hence creating room for best milk production.

Oats: Oats contain minerals that help in stimulating the oxytocin hormone that produces milk. They also help in reducing cholesterol. Fruit juice and water: Because breast milk contains 95 per cent water, a mother requires at least eight glasses of water every day with fruit juice.