Basically, this is created by a feeling of inadequacy, which is not always correct.
Physically it can happen due to certain conditions, major being maternal fatigue.
After delivery, for 2-3 weeks, mothers need to be put under total rest and relaxation. They should be totally free of all sorts of tension and preferably let to lie down with their babies all the time!!!!
Low thyroid, anemia, placental remnants, imbalanced nutrition, diabetic tendency, trauma during labour and many such conditions are also said to trigger lowered lactation. Adopting a nutritious diet in a balanced manner helps tide over this situation.
The attitude of the nursing mother is the basic step. Awareness and determination to breast feed babe is utmost necessary. The advantages of nursing are not limited just to the babe but also to the mother’s health.
Draining breasts of accumulated milk is the preliminary concept. For this, whether the babe gets adequate feed or not, the babe should be held close to mammas breasts and permitted to suck them as much as possible.
The duration of every feed should be prolonged, by keeping the babe awake. This can be either done through stroking of the soft soles in their feet or patting their earlobes in an affectionate and delicate manner. Both breasts should be alternated at least twice during every feed. Babes should be fed once in 2hours during daytime and once in 3-4 hours at night.
Adjusting the position of feeding to a comfortable level is the next step to be taken care of. Though it’s easy to feed lying on one side, its better to sit up in a relaxed position and hold the babe in such a position that its medulla rests on mammas elbow. Pillows can be kept under the elbow for adequate support where required. Mammas can establish direct eye contact with their babe during feeding and caress them as well, to avoid them feeling sleepy amidst feeding. This improves emotional bond as well.
Directing the areola in full along with the nipples and taking care that babes nose is free to breathe properly are also important. Mammas can use their fingers over their breasts to guide babe accordingly.
Modification of diet is also equally important. Some of the most popular practices for a nursing mother in Kerala can be enumerated as below. Major foods should be consumed before 10am.
Moringa is a common green plant of our homesteads. Breakfast of cooked rice with Moringa leaves prepared as a sandwich inside a casserole is an effective, most simple, cheap and best way. For this cooked hot rice (made of unpolished rice with bran if possible) is kept as a layer inside a casserole and a layer of fresh washed Moringa leaves is spread over that. This is alternated with another layer of hot rice. This sandwich pattern is repeated and the airtight casserole is let to stand for sometime until the leaves are cooked in this hot steam. Now garnish this rice before consumption with a handful of small onion, peeled, cut and fried in ghee.
Fenugreek is another effective herbal recommendation for better lactation. Handful, say 20g, of fenugreek seeds are soaked in water overnight. This is cooked in coconut milk and palm jaggery is added as sweetener. The semi solid consistency of this preparation is taken as the morning snack. Some may have problems of loose motion because of nut allergy, in which case the quantity of seeds used can be limited unto the maximum limit where the smell occurs in ones sweat. Some babes also might have slight loose motion when this is used.
In such cases, its better to alter fenugreek with small onions or garlic in the above preparation. It would also give variety I the diet.
Ashgourd in any form is an effective herbal preparation at initial stages of nursing. In ancient homes, kondatam is prepared out of ashgourd and bittergourd, to be given to nursing mothers. Preparing curries like molakooshyam, with lot of redgram and ashgourd is also common. Ashgourd can be eaten raw or made into juice also.
Regular use of dishes one of pulses or legumes and another of greens like fenugreek leaves, palak, amaranth, etc is a must for lunch. Use less of tamarind, chilies, oil and hot spices.
Diet should have adequate quantities of fruits and vegetables for enough fibre, vitamins and minerals. Coffee is better avoided. Drinking lots of water eliminates toxins effectively.
Proteinaceous diet is highly recommended. This can vary from egg whites to fish and meat, sprouted legumes, pulses and diary products. There should be adequate protein in all major meals.
Post lunch snacks can be peanuts either raw or cooked or fresh vegetable salads with lot of sprouted legumes with or without curd or vegetable soups with enough of pepper, cumin, coriander, garlic, ginger, etc.
An evening brunch of oatmeal in milk is also an effective aid for nursing mothers diet.
Muthanga tubers, peeled and crushed can be made into small kizhis and soaked in diluted milk and boiled to reduce to a glass. For this one glass of milk is boiled with 2-3 glasses of water and reduced to one glass.
Commercial preparations of herbal galactagogue are also available for ready use. These are mostly preparations of asparagus with different flavours. Examples are Satavarex and Lactiseron. A tablespoon of either in a glass of milk can be taken twice daily.
For those who need still higher support, please consult a lactation expert,a dietician or gynaecologist. The weight of all babies would naturally fall initially after delivery but would regain to that at birth in 2 weeks. In situations where there is a lacuna, its advisable to follow detailed medications.
A little care, adequate rest and proper relaxation are major milestones in enjoying motherhood…health and happiness of Mom and Babe rests in the hands of one…Mammas are aptly defined as Gods extended hands that cares for His kids…
