I won’t go into the benefits of breastfeeding, which moms basically know. However, there are many misconceptions about breastfeeding, and the determination and confidence to breastfeed is not enough for many people. Postpartum breastfeeding disorders are different from other obstetrics and gynecology diseases in that the psychological condition of the mother during the breastfeeding period plays a decisive role and directly affects the production and discharge of milk. Therefore, the fundamental measure to address lactation disorders and prevent the incorporation of milk substitutes lies in the education and proper implementation of exclusive breastfeeding. In the clinic, I often encourage mothers to say that your breast condition is very good, you can go online and read a pamphlet from the International Breastfeeding Association to learn how to breastfeed exclusively. Many mothers said that my words were very encouraging to them and the booklet was also very useful. It can be seen that confidence plus the correct method is the magic weapon of breastfeeding, young mothers please believe that there is no mother who can not breastfeed their babies (except for disease factors), the key to see whether the mother is trying, of course, the support of relatives at home is also very important. First, the amount of milk by the baby sucking situation and decide. When your baby sucks on your nipple, his sucking stimulates the secretion of two hormones in your body – lactogen and oxytocin – from the pituitary gland. The more your baby suckles, the more hormones and proteins are produced. If your baby needs more milk than you can produce, he will eat more often and suck hard enough to produce more milk. Oxytocin causes contractions in the breasts, which squeeze out milk for the baby in what is called the “squirt” reaction, which is why mothers experience a tingling sensation in their breasts when they first start breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a supply and demand principle at its best. In the beginning, your body doesn’t know how much milk your baby needs. After breastfeeding for a while, your body can then make the proper adjustments to match what your baby needs. Second, is your baby getting enough milk? You can be sure that your baby is getting enough milk from the following points: 1. Changing very wet diapers 6-8 times a day and passing stools about 2-5 times. 2. When your baby is a little older (after 6-8 weeks), the frequency of bowel movements will decrease and may be once a day or only once every 3-4 days. You can still observe whether he is getting enough milk from wet diapers. 2. On average, his weight will increase by 125g – 225g per week or at least 500g per month. Although a weekly gain of 125g-225g is a common average for normal babies, different babies grow at different rates. In addition, it is normal for some weeks to have more or less growth than others. 3. Remember at the first checkup that most babies lose weight in the first few days after birth. The weight gain should be calculated from the lowest point of the baby’s weight, not the birth weight. Some babies take two or three weeks to return to their birth weight. 4. He needs to breastfeed from time to time. Every two to three hours or 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. This is the average, but some babies eat more often and some less. As long as the weight gain is not abnormal, less frequent feeding is not necessarily a problem. 5. He looks healthy. His complexion is healthy, his skin is taut, he’s gaining weight, he’s taller, he’s alert and energetic, and his muscles are toned. III. False Alarms Some mothers mistakenly believe that they do not have enough milk when in fact their milk supply is normal. Not understanding some of the normal differences in breastfed babies, they sometimes worry about symptoms caused by other reasons. If the child is gaining weight normally and soiling enough diapers, there is nothing to worry about, even though the baby may have the following: 1. Needs to breastfeed from time to time: Many infants need to suckle frequently or spend a lot of time with their mother. Remember that frequent sucking ensures that the baby is getting enough milk and does not indicate a lack of milk. 2, the baby has just swallowed not long seems to be hungry again: breast milk is easier to digest than milk powder, and unlike milk powder to the baby’s immature gastrointestinal increased load. So breastfed babies need to be fed more frequently. 3, the baby’s breastfeeding habits, volume growth and sleep patterns are different from other babies: each baby is an individual, with a wide range of differences within the normal range. 4, sudden increase in the frequency of breastfeeding, prolonged breastfeeding time: newborn sleepy children often suddenly “wake up”, more frequent breastfeeding than the original. Infants also go through a “growth spurt” (usually at two weeks, six weeks, and three months of age), which requires more frequent breastfeeding and stimulates the mother to produce more milk to meet their growth needs. 5. Suddenly shorten the duration of breastfeeding, perhaps only 5-10 minutes on each breast: this is when the baby is experienced at breastfeeding and can suck the milk out quickly. 6. The infant is irritable: Many infants are irritable at times throughout the day, often at the same time. Some infants are irritable most of the time. The cause of irritability is not always hunger, but it is often not clear why. If breastfeeding doesn’t work, try holding your baby close with a thin blanket or changing positions, walking, or rocking him. Remember, whatever the cause of your baby’s irritability, most of the time he just needs you to hold him. 7. You’re only leaking a little or not at all: Leaking has nothing to do with how much milk you produce. You’ll find that once your milk production becomes regular according to your baby’s needs, leaking between feedings will no longer be a problem. 8. Your breasts seem to have suddenly become softer: After your milk production is adjusted according to your baby’s needs, you will slowly stop swelling. 9. You no longer feel the sensation of milk going down or squirting out of your breasts, or you no longer feel it as strongly as you used to: This happens over time. Some moms don’t feel any milk at all, but by observing their babies’ sucking and swallowing, they can confirm that there is milk coming out. Fourth, if the concern is real If your milk is not meeting your baby’s needs, it is time to find out what is interfering with milk production. The following factors can cause a decrease in milk supply: 1. Additives: Simply bottle-feeding your baby formula, juice or water occasionally can interfere with breast milk production. The additives fill the baby’s tummy, making her take milk at longer intervals and reducing the number of times she suckles at the breast. The more additives your baby receives in one day, the less milk your mother’s body will produce the next day. The additives make the mother produce less milk instead of more. 2. Improper infant breastfeeding position: Your baby should turn on her side and face her whole body towards yours. She should not turn her head to reach your breast. To ensure effective sucking, the baby’s mouth must be open wide enough for the mother to latch her onto the breast so that she can get most of the areola when she shuts up. 3. Nipple confusion: Since pacifiers require different sucking styles, babies may become confused. If your baby can’t suckle effectively, she won’t be able to stimulate your breasts to produce enough milk. 4. Pacifiers: Some babies use pacifiers to satisfy their need to suck, which can significantly reduce the time they spend sucking, thus interfering with the supply and demand for breastmilk. 5.Use “nipple shield”: Through a layer of “nipple shield”, the baby’s sucking cannot reach the mother’s pituitary gland smoothly. The lactation and milk production becomes slow, which directly affects the amount of milk the baby gets at each feeding. After using nipple shield for a few days, breast milk production will be reduced. 6. Breastfeeding on time: Delaying your baby’s breastfeeding according to the time frame set by the clock interferes with the supply and demand system of milk production. Breastfeeding according to the baby’s instructions usually ensures an adequate milk supply. 7. Quiet, sleepy babies: Some babies sleep most of the time and take very few and short feeds. If she is not gaining weight and her diapers are not soiled enough, then you need to wake her up regularly, stimulate her with gentle movements, and encourage her to breastfeed at least every 2 hours every day. You also need to decide for her how often to eat until she learns what to do to get enough milk. 8. Shorten the duration of breastfeeding: Longer breastfeeding sessions (20-45 minutes) will help to ensure an adequate milk supply and that your baby gets enough high-calorie “hind milk”. Shortening the feeding time will reduce the amount of milk produced at a time when your baby needs an increased supply. 9. Feed only one side at a time: Some mothers prefer to feed only one side at a time once their milk supply has stabilized. If you want to increase milk production, you should feed on both sides. If you only feed one side at a time, the child will eat less, and the sucking stimulation of each breast will be reduced accordingly. Fifth, take good care of the mother Fatigue and tension can affect the process of breastfeeding and the supply of milk. Make a little time to relax from time to time, especially when you are quiet to breastfeed. Mothers who smoke heavily will notice an increase in their baby’s weight when they quit. Taking birth control pills reduces breast milk production and also affects the nutritional quality of breast milk. The medical advisors of La Leche League International and many experts agree that breastfeeding mothers should not take birth control pills. The hormone-containing intrauterine device (IUD) has a similar effect. Most medications are safe for breastfeeding mothers, but some can affect breast milk production and the health of the baby. When your physician writes a prescription, remember to remind him that you are a breastfeeding mom. Sometimes when a mom has a health problem, it can affect breast milk production and the baby’s weight. If you have a health problem or are taking medication, ask your doctor if it will affect breastfeeding. Since you need more fluids to make milk, breastfeeding increases your need for fluids. You should drink six to eight glasses of fluid a day and let your natural thirst guide your intake. If your urine is low and dark yellow in color, you’re not getting enough water. The type of beverage you drink is also important, preferably boiled water and unsweetened fruit juices. Poor nutrition can lead to stress and fatigue, as well as damage to your health and a low milk supply. Good eating habits should be established or re-established. Many moms eat six small meals a day instead of three large meals. You need to consume good nutrition, small and frequent meals. Eat fresh fruits, salads, vegetables, meat, cheese, nuts and fish. Avoid poor quality food. VI. Solving problems If you find that your milk production has decreased due to some of the reasons mentioned above there are a few good ways to boost your milk supply: 1. Seek help: If you are worried about your milk supply, it can help to contact a counselor at the breastfeeding club. She can offer more advice on your individual situation. If your baby isn’t growing well or is losing weight, you’ll want to stay in close contact with your child’s doctor. In any case, improved breastfeeding techniques can quickly solve the problem. However, in some special cases, weight loss may be the result of a serious health problem. 2. Breastfeeding frequently: Let your baby eat as long as he or she wants. Try pumping for 24 hours – 48 hours (or even longer if your secretion is very low) and do nothing but concentrate on breastfeeding and resting. A sleepy baby needs to be woken up often to encourage her to breastfeed. 3. Feed on both sides at every feeding: this ensures that your baby gets enough breastmilk and that the production of breastmilk on both sides is fully stimulated. 4. Make sure that the baby is held in the correct position: in order for the baby to suckle correctly, hold the breast with one hand, with the thumb above, the remaining four fingers below, and the fingertips on the outside of the areola. Touch the infant’s lips with the nipple, and when her mouth is sufficiently open, place the nipple right in the center of the mouth, above the tongue, and very quickly afterward hold her close to you. Her lips should be over the nipple against the outer areola. You should not feel any pain when your baby suckles correctly. 5. Switching sides: Switching sides about 2-3 times per feeding will keep your baby interested in breastfeeding and ensure that she gets the most adequate breastmilk. Observe your baby’s sucking and swallowing, and when sucking slows down and swallowing is not frequent enough, switch to the other side immediately. Some babies switch after 10 minutes on one side, others switch after only 2-3 minutes on each side. Make sure you switch sides at least twice at each feeding. 6. All your baby’s sucking is at your breast: don’t let him suck on bottles or soothers to avoid confusion. Sucking on a pacifier requires a different technique than sucking on the nipple. If you need to give him some other food for a while, feed him with a spoon or a breastfeeding aid. The soother will reduce the extra sucking you need when you are trying to increase your milk production. 7. Feed your baby only breastmilk: Avoid all complementary foods, water and juices. If your baby has been mixed feeding, don’t stop formula immediately yet. Gradually reduce the amount of formula as milk production increases, and watch your baby’s soiled diapers to make sure he’s getting enough milk. 8. Drink plenty of fluids and eat a balanced diet: Eat a variety of natural foods with different nutrients as much as possible. Drink a glass of water or juice with each feeding. 9, adequate rest and relaxation: When you are relaxed and well rested, milk production will increase quickly. Arrange to do nothing for a few days. Put off all unnecessary tasks. Take naps with your baby whenever possible. Take a hot bath, listen to relaxing music, exercise, or something else that benefits you. Try to set aside a little time each day to pamper yourself.