Tips for Breast-Feeding Success

It's helpful for a woman who wants to breast-feed to learn as much about it as possible before delivery, while she is not exhausted from caring for an infant around-the-clock. The following tips can help foster successful nursing.

* Get an early start: Nursing should begin within an hour after delivery if possible, when an infant is awake and the sucking instinct is strong. Even though the mother won't be producing milk yet, her breasts contain colostrum, a thin fluid that contains antibodies to disease.
* Proper positioning: The baby's mouth should be wide open, with the nipple as far back into his or her mouth as possible. This minimizes soreness for the mother. A nurse, midwife, or other knowledgeable person can help her find a comfortable nursing position.
* Nurse on demand: Newborns need to nurse frequently, at least every two hours, and not on any strict schedule. This will stimulate the mother's breasts to produce plenty of milk. Later, the baby can settle into a more predictable routine. But because breast milk is more easily digested than formula, breast-fed babies often eat more frequently than bottle-fed babies.
* No supplements: Nursing babies don't need sugar water or formula supplements. These may interfere with their appetite for nursing, which can lead to a diminished milk supply. The more the baby nurses, the more milk the mother will produce.
* Delay artificial nipples: It's best to wait a week or two before introducing a pacifier, so that the baby doesn't get confused. Artificial nipples require a different sucking action than real ones. Sucking at a bottle could also confuse some babies in the early days. They, too, are learning how to breast-feed.
* Air dry: In the early postpartum period or until her nipples toughen, the mother should air dry them after each nursing to prevent them from cracking, which can lead to infection. If her nipples do crack, the mother can coat them with breast milk or other natural moisturizers to help them heal. Vitamin E oil and lanolin are commonly used, although some babies may have allergic reactions to them. Proper positioning at the breast can help prevent sore nipples. If the mother's very sore, the baby may not have the nipple far enough back in his or her mouth.
* Watch for infection: Symptoms of breast infection include fever and painful lumps and redness in the breast. These require immediate medical attention.
* Expect engorgement: A new mother usually produces lots of milk, making her breasts big, hard and painful for a few days. To relieve this engorgement, she should feed the baby frequently and on demand until her body adjusts and produces only what the baby needs. In the meantime, the mother can take over-the-counter pain relievers, apply warm, wet compresses to her breasts, and take warm baths to relieve the pain.
* Eat right, get rest: To produce plenty of good milk, the nursing mother needs a balanced diet that includes 500 extra calories a day and six to eight glasses of fluid. She should also rest as much as possible to prevent breast infections, which are aggravated by fatigue.

These are foods to help increase breast milk production:

Brown Rice – contains B vitamins, selenium, iron, fiber and manganese.

Avocados – contains potassium, vitamin B6, and Pantothenic acid

Beets – high in potassium

Carrots – high in vitamin C

Barley – high in phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin B6.

Dulse – a red algae high in B vitamins, iron, and potassium.

Kombu – edible kelp rich in glutamic acid, which is responsible of one of the five basic tastes.

Drinking beer can increase breast milk. Could this be true? If you where to investigate what key ingredients in beer could promote breast milk production, you might find that it’s not the alcohol, which by the way is not good for the baby, but the Brewers Yeast that’s used to make the beer. Taking Brewers yeast can help increase breast milk production. Drinking beer has actually been shown to decrease breast milk production because breastmilk flavored with alcohol is not something a baby is going to like, which means the baby is not going to breast feed often, therefore resulting in less breast stimulation.

Soda, coffee and other caffeinated drinks have been shown to stimulate production of breast milk in nursing mothers. The main ingredients in the mentioned list of drinks all contain caffeine. Beware that caffeine in large amounts can have negative effects on you and your baby; moreover the caffeine can stay in the system of babies much longer than that of an adult. So, if you’re going to drink caffeine, drink in moderation, i.e. one cup at most. Caffeine can constrict blood vessels causing stress; therefore if it stresses adults guess what it will do to your baby. Just take it easy on the caffeine.

--R.D.W
By Kathleen E. Huggins, RN, MS

Highly regarded by Hippocrates and other Greek and Roman physicians, fenugreek is one of the oldest medicinal herbs. Ancient physicians mixed the seeds with water or made ointments to treat external wounds and abscesses. The herb was also used internally to treat fevers and respiratory and intestinal ailments as well as to ease childbirth. Indian women ate fenugreek seeds to increase their milk production. (1-9) Fenugreek was brought to the New World as a folk remedy by early settlers. It became the major ingredient of Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound, a popular 19th century cure-all for female complaints.(1)

Modern "Medicine"

Today, fenugreek is used by natural healers as a basis for poultices and plasters for the treatment of wounds, boils and rashes. (1,3,5,7) It is recommended for internal use to treat coughs and bronchitis as well as to reduce mucus production and help ease asthma and sinus problems. (1,3,7) Warm fenugreek gargles are said to soothe sore throats. (1,3) Fenugreek is taken by Egyptian women to ease menstrual pain. (5) Hilba (fenugreek) tea is a popular remedy used for stomach cramps and gastric upset. (3,5,7,10,11) In China, the herb is used to treat male impotence. (5,9) Studies have shown that fenugreek reduces cholesterol in animals. (1,7,8,11) Animal research and recent studies on people with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes show that the herb reduces glucose levels. (1,5,7,9,11) Researchers have confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of fenugreek, thus adding credibility to claims of the herb’s beneficial effect in treating wounds, arthritis and other inflammations. (1,11) Experiments on the development of oral contraceptives using diosgenin, a component of the fenugreek seed, are underway. (6) The maple aroma and flavor of fenugreek has led to its use as a spice in baked goods, chutneys, confections and imitation maple syrup. The herb is very nutritious, being high in protein, vitamin C, niacin and potassium. Ground seeds are used in curries. In Greece, boiled or raw seeds are eaten with honey. Young seedlings and other portions of the plant are eaten as vegetables. In India, fenugreek is eaten fresh as a salad. (5,9,11)

A Lactation Aide

In 1945, an Egyptian researcher reported that fenugreek is a potent stimulator of breastmilk production. In fact, its use was associated with increases in milk production of as much as 900%. (2) The mechanism of action is unknown. Rima Jensen, MD, suggests that fenugreek may affect milk production because the breast is a modified sweat gland, and the herb is known to stimulate sweat production. (4) We have been recommending fenugreek for six years whenever a mother's milk production is determined to be low. To date, we have worked with at least 1200 women who have taken the herb. Many of these mothers began by changing the frequency and duration of breastfeeding: In some cases the use of a fully automatic breastpump was necessary when it was determined that the infant did not sufficiently drain the breast. A significant number of mothers who took the herb, however, did not need other interventions. These included mothers who were exclusively pumping for non-nursing infants and mothers who were feeding often whose babies sufficiently drained the breast. Nearly all of the mothers who take fenugreek report an increase in milk production, generally within 24 to 72 hours after starting to take the herb. Most mothers have found that the herb can be discontinued once milk production is stimulated to an appropriate level. Adequate production is usually maintained as long as sufficient breast stimulation and emptying continues. In our experience, two or three capsules of fenugreek three times a day is the recommended dosage. (4) The suggested dosage on the label of some brands, however, is one capsule three times a day. Mothers should know that taking such a small amount of fenugreek does not seem to improve milk production. We have used fenugreek successfully in a variety of situations including relactation, for mothers who have had breast surgery with surgical incisions around the areola, and for mothers who are exclusively pumping for non-nursing infants. We have observed some improvement in the milk production of mothers with classic bilateral insufficient glandular tissue but never enough to eliminate the need for supplementation. Few women report adverse effects from fenugreek, although some may notice a maple-like odor to their urine and sweat. Among our clients who have used fenugreek, two or three have developed diarrhea, which quickly subsided when the dosage was either decreased or the herb was discontinued. Two asthmatic mothers felt that fenugreek aggravated their asthma symptoms, an interesting effect since fenugreek is thought to be a remedy for asthma. One mother with diabetes, who used an insulin pump, noticed little change in her insulin requirements. To date, we have not observed or heard of any side effects in the infants whose mothers have taken fenugreek. We have found fenugreek to be a potent stimulator of breastmilk production that appears to be safe for mother and baby. It is relatively easy to obtain and is inexpensive; however, mothers should be made aware of its potential to cause diarrhea. Mothers with diabetes should use caution because of the herb's tendency to lower blood glucose levels. Women with asthma should be informed of the possibility of increased asthma symptoms. We hope the experience of our lactation clinic and other lactation practices that use fenugreek will motivate the research necessary to establish more scientific evidence of the herb’s effectiveness in increasing milk production.

References

1. Castleman M. The Healing Herbs. Emmaus, Pa: Rodale Press;1991.
2. Fleiss P. Herbal remedies for the breastfeeding mother. Mothering. 1988;Summer: 68-71.
3. Hoffmann D. Therapeutic Herbalism: A Correspondence Course in Phytotherapy. (self-published).
4. Jensen R. Fenugreek-overlooked but not forgotten. UCLA Lactation Alumni Association Newsletter. 1992;1:2-3.
5. Ody P. The Complete Medicinal Herbal. New York: Dorling Kindersley;1993.
6. Rosengarten F. The Book of Spices. Wynnewood, Pa: Livingston Publishing Co.;1969.
7. Simon J, et al. Herbs, An Indexed Bibliography 1971-1980. New York: Archon Books; 1984.
8. Thomson W. Herbs That Heal. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons;1976.
9. Willard T. The Wild Rose Scientific Herbal. Calgary: Wild Rose College of Natural Healing;1991.
10. Hermann M. Herbs and Medicinal Flowers. New York: Galahad Books;1973.
11. Pharmaceutical Information Associates. Fenugreek. The Lawrence Review of Natural Products. 1987;July.

Kathleen Huggins is a Director of the Breastfeeding Clinic at San Luis Obispo General Hospital, CA. She is author of The Nursing Mother’s Companion and co-author of The Nursing Mother’s Guide to Weaning.

Is It All Fenugreek to You?

Fenugreek (trigonella foenum-graecum), an annual herb native to Asia and Southeast Europe, is cultivated worldwide. It is a member of the pea family. Fenugreek grows to about 18 inches and resembles a large clover with white pea-like flowers that produce 6-inch-long seed pods that resemble string beans but grow upright. Each pod contains 10 to 20 light brown, hard, oblong, flat seeds. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides only general guidelines on natural herbs, and fenugreek is included in FDA's list of herbs generally regarded as safe. (1,7,9,11) There has been no formal research on fenugreek, but an increasing amount of observational and anecdotal evidence points to its efficacy. Because fenugreek may be a uterine stimulant, however, it should be avoided during pregnancy. (1,5)

Fenugreek capsules containing ground seeds can be purchased from most health food stores. Capsules typically contain either 580 or 610 mg. A bottle of 100 capsules costs about $6 to $8. Some health food stores and food co-ops sell the capsules in bulk form. Fenugreek tea can be used, but teas are considered less potent than capsules. Fenugreek tea has a somewhat unpleasant bitter taste.

Posted With the Permission of Medela, Inc.
It has been consistently noticed that more and more visitors coming to our blog indianfoodfacts.blogspot.com have come here searching for "Indian diet for nursing mothers" or "Indian foods to increase milk secretion" etc etc. We decided not to disappoint them by publishing the below information which we have gathered from our own experience as well from the Internet world.

1) Dried Fish.
2) Leafy Vegetables and in particular Green Spinach.
3) Bitter Gourd.
4) Fenugreek soaked in buttermilk.
5) Garlic pods (at least 6-7) fried in Ghee and can be had after every meal.
6) Milagu Rasam, Garlic Rasam.
7) Jeera
8) Methi seeds
9) Suraikkai
10) Plenty of fruits and vegetables
11) Alfalfa : It could be taken as sprouts, tea made from seeds or juice of fresh alfalfa leaves. This juice could be taken with carrot juice or some other organic drink.
12) Musk melon : With its combination of calcium, potassium and sodium, it stimulates milk production in nursing mothers.
13) Raw papaya is eaten as a curry by women to stimulate secretion of breast milk.
14) Whole potatoes : When baked or roasted in their skins.
15) Black gram dhal (Urad dhal) as also parsley and amaranth increase production of breast milk. Dhal should generally be taken in the mornings.
16) The leaves or seeds of fennel (Kala Zeera) boiled in barley water and drunk are good for increasing the breast milk.
17) An admixture made with aniseed (Sonf) taken on empty stomach increases both the quality and the quantity of breast milk.
18) Milk of peanuts extracted by wet crushing of these nuts which have been soaked in water for 24 hours. This peanut milk should be diluted before being given to the mother.
19) Diluted grass juice. Nothing else should be consumed for at least two hours thereafter to help assimilation.
20) Garlic, tamarind and cotton seeds also help in increasing milk supply.
21) Soups and red gram also stimulate milk productio