No milk after childbirth: when milk comes, ways to increase lactation, tips and tricks

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Young mothers often face such a problem when they have no milk after giving birth, and the baby at this time requires feeding. Some inexperienced (primiparous) women in such cases begin to use a bottle and purchased mixtures, but mothers who are more knowledgeable in this matter resort to quick ways to increase lactation.

The following are the most popular methods that can speed up the production of breast milk. In addition, after reading this article, it will become clear why milk did not come after childbirth. And how to prevent this phenomenon.

Breastmilk

Breast milk is a nutrient fluid produced by the female mammary glands and necessary to saturate the baby's body during infancy. Due to its composition, it fully meets the nutritional needs of the child. In addition, milk helps to strengthen the baby's immunity and performs the functions of growth regulation.

Breast milk after childbirth and throughout the next months of a baby's life is the main source of his food. PartThis liquid contains the following substances:

• lactose (6.8%);
• fat (3.9%);
• minerals (0.2%);
• protein (1.0%);
• dry matter (11.9%).

Composition of milk may vary. In particular, this process is influenced by the stages of lactation (pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, colostrum, etc.). In addition, changes in breast milk occur during each meal of an infant - from start to finish.

How does milk "work"?

As mentioned above, breast milk is not only the main source of nutrition for the baby. It is also necessary for the formation of its immunity, normal growth and development. That is why young mothers are so upset by situations when there is no milk after childbirth. After all, most people want to breastfeed for as long as possible to give their baby everything he needs for his he alth.

But why can't formula milk have the same effect as human milk?

Useful ingredients

Women's milk consists of many useful components. Among them, a special place is occupied by proteins, fats and carbohydrates. However, in addition to them, breast milk also contains various enzymes and hormones that contribute to the normal development of the baby and the proper functioning of all systems of his body.

So, for example, in a laboratory study of breast milk, it can detect insulin-like, epidermal and nerve growth factors, human growth factors I, II, III, leptin, prolactin,adipopectin, beta-endorphins and other hormones.

Enzymes contained in breast milk compensate for the lack of the baby's own enzymes, and also help the infant's body absorb fats. The acids formed during splitting in the gastrointestinal tract of a child have an antiprotozoal and antiviral effect. Lipase, activated by bile s alts, contributes to the destruction of protozoan pathogens.

You can list the beneficial properties of breast milk for a long time, but to fully describe its benefits, it is enough to note that this product for children was created by nature itself, and not a single scientist has been able to repeat its composition exactly. What is the "set" of immune factors that help the child's body resist infections and various pathogens.

How does the milk arrive?

There are several stages of milk production by the female mammary glands. The first occurs during pregnancy. Often in the last months of bearing a child, colostrum is secreted from a woman's breast. This liquid is very different in composition from milk and is not as nutritious.

Many young mothers confuse breast milk and colostrum, as the latter continues to stand out for some more period after childbirth. On what day the milk will arrive in the breast depends on the individual characteristics of the organism. As a rule, this will take approximately 3-5 days.

Before that, the baby is forced to eat colostrum, which,despite its "imperfect" composition, it is an absolutely irreplaceable source of saturation for him. Starting around the sixth day of lactation, his food will change to mature milk. However, in some cases this conversion may take a little longer. As a rule, delays are observed in nulliparous women, after subsequent births, the appearance of mature milk comes much faster.

Lactation problems

Unfortunately, many women have problems with the excretory and secretory functions of the mammary glands, which is why there is no milk for a long time after childbirth. Most often, young mothers are diagnosed with lactostasis, agalactia and hypogalactia. All these conditions are characterized by insufficient milk production or its complete absence.

Hypogalactia is the most common postpartum disorder. It is a decrease in the functions of the mammary glands. And reducing the duration of lactation to 5 months. As a rule, to eliminate hypogalactia, it is enough to adjust the technique and feeding regimen.

Treatment of hypogalactia

This disease is observed in 3% of all young mothers. Treatment of this disorder is usually carried out without any medical intervention, however, in rare cases, special lactagon drugs are prescribed.

During the feeding period, a woman must strictly adhere to a certain regimen if she wants her lactation to return to normal. It is important to observe the same intervals between feedings, to consume a lotliquid, alternately apply the baby to each breast.

If this is already secondary lactation (after the second, third, etc. childbirth), general strengthening therapy is carried out, a course of electrophoresis procedures, massage and UV therapy are prescribed. At the same time, the wet nurse must follow the high-carbohydrate diet prescribed by the doctor.

Prevention of hypogalactia

In order not to wonder how much milk will enter the breast after childbirth, and whether this amount will be enough to feed the baby, women can carry out self-prevention of hypogalactia. This will significantly reduce the risk of developing problems with mammary gland secretion and excretory function.

The way pregnancy and childbirth proceeds has a huge impact on further lactation. It has been observed that women who gave birth by stimulation or with the use of anesthesia, after giving birth, there is no milk much more often than others.

The following will help prevent these disorders:

• early breastfeeding (6-8 hours postpartum);
• observance of exact intervals between feedings;
• same duration of feedings;
• good maternal nutrition;
• drinking enough fluids.

In addition, a new mother should try to stick to a certain daily routine (although doing this with a small child is not so easy). A woman must have a good rest, avoid various nervous overloads and stresses.

Recommendations

Worth itIt should be noted that excessive experiences quite often become the reason that after childbirth, milk begins to “disappear” in women. Even if at the first stages there was enough fluid in the chest, with improper feeding, violation of sleep and nutrition, intervals and duration of meals, it can gradually decrease.

During such periods, various lactagon preparations are excellent, however, only a specialist should set the course of treatment.