How long do you plan to breastfeed? One month? Three months? Nine months? One year? This becomes increasing more difficult while trying to keep the normalcy in your life. I.E. - Work, Family, Me time if there is any thing to spare. Here are a few tips to try to keep you on the right path to hitting your breastfeeding goal. For starters make sure you are still taking your pre-natal pill! This is super important because your body is working overtime to replenish your milk supply all day. This also helps women avoid osteoporosis later in life.
WATER WATER & more WATER.
If your not hydrating yourself your milk supply may be suffering. Try staying conscious of what your drinking and how much. If you notice your supply is low for the day there are a few quick tricks that can be triggering the low production. (as long as your stimulating the breast every 3 -4 hours) With many women its easy to over look something as simplistic as water... but keep focused on hydrating yourself its super important! And even more so if your a person who workouts. You just have to pay more attention to your caloric intake along with your water intake. Make sure your getting enough to replenish your body and your milk supply. The first thing that will suffer when your body is tired is your production.
How much are you eating?
Well every person is different! I know that I am more hungry now breastfeeding than I ever was pregnant. Listen to your body and its demands! You need more to keep your body working the way it should!
Fenugreek is a herb that is said for Increasing Milk Supply. Ive never used it personally but I've heard this helps a little.
Some herbs are linked to decreasing milk supply in nursing mothers. Here are a few of the top ones listed:Black Walnut, Chickweed,Herb Robert,Lemon Balm,Oregano,Spearmint,Thyme,Peppermint,Parsley,Sage,Periwinkle Herb,Sorrel, and Yarrow.
The most important thing is to listen to your body! If your craving something... eat it, your body probably needs it. Drink tons of water and sleep as much as you can.
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I breast fed my first until he was three months old. That is when he started biting me with his gums and doggone, that hurt. When I couldn't get him to quit (he was just a baby), I switched him to a bottle. When number 2 came along, I got out the bottles again. To heck with being mauled by someone less than two feet high.
ReplyDeletePopped over from MBC. I've {so far} successfully nursed all three of my children to a year {and beyond}. My oldest for 13 months, middle 18 months, and the baby is 13 months and counting. It can be done!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I did try fenugreek this time around when I had a severe stomach bug that left me dehydrated {had to get an IV} and milk-less. And it DID work! It was a lifesaver.