Any young mother wants her baby not to lack nutrition, to latch on to the breast correctly and to eat milk well. But sooner or later, nursing mothers face a problem such as a decrease in lactation, when breast milk is no longer enough to meet the child’s needs. This period is called a lactation crisis - a phenomenon that is not dangerous, but causes a lot of concern.

Lactation crisis: what does it look like?

Almost every mother faces the problem of decreasing breast milk at least once, and there is no need to be afraid. However, it is important to understand that lactation crisis- a physiological phenomenon, and some special medical treatment in this case it is not required. In most cases, the crisis occurs a month and a half after birth, and can often be repeated for more later feeding. This is not dangerous for the mother’s body, but it brings considerable inconvenience. Therefore to similar phenomenon It’s better to be psychologically prepared in advance to do everything possible to get out of the situation.

A nursing woman can recognize the onset of a lactation crisis on her own, without resorting to the help of doctors, and the following signs and symptoms will help her with this:

• The baby does not want to let go of the breast for a long time and sucks milk longer than usual;
• The child is often capricious, sleeps poorly, and constantly reaches for the breast;
• Mom herself feels the problem, realizing that milk is not increasing.

The reasons for such changes are explained quite simply: as the baby grows, so do his needs, to which the mother’s body simply does not have time to adapt.

Why is the milk supply decreasing?

The period of breastfeeding has been studied by specialists for a long time; as a result of observations, experts identify three main reasons that lead to a decrease in lactation.

Reason 1. This is a baby’s “growth spurt” at one time or another when the child becomes more active. He learns to roll over, lift and hold his head, rise on his arms, crawl - that is, he spends a lot of energy. Accordingly, he needs more nutrition. And the mother’s body needs some time to adapt to the needs of the little one - soon everything will return to normal and there will be enough milk again.

Reason 2. Often lactation crisis may be associated with the depressed state of a nursing woman: bad mood, monotony of life, fatigue, etc. After all, with the birth of a baby, her usual life changes dramatically: constant lack of sleep and loss of strength begin, which often leads to blues, apathy and even depression. Therefore, it is not surprising that all these nuances do not have the best effect on lactation.

Reason 3. The amount of breast milk depends on correct mode nutrition, and if it is not organized correctly, this can also lead to a lactation crisis. The most common mistakes young mothers make are that many begin to skip nightly and morning breastfeeding, often abuse pacifiers or supplement the baby with formula, which is not recommended to do unnecessarily.

Main periods of decreased lactation

On average, a lactation crisis lasts two to three days, in rare cases – up to one week. Moreover, some nursing mothers avoid this problem; some women encounter this phenomenon once or twice, but it also happens that a lactation crisis occurs several times (especially if breast-feeding continues enough long period time). Let's look at the three main periods of a lactation crisis.

1 month. The first “step” that a baby overcomes: it is at this age that he ceases to be a newborn and begins to grow stronger “by leaps and bounds.” The child himself cannot yet understand how much he needs. this moment milk is required, he eats more or less, and milk begins to be produced in the same way. You need to wait out this period calmly - the baby will “determine” and lactation will quickly normalize.

3 months. At this stage, as a rule, the next crisis occurs (plus or minus two to three weeks). By this time, the woman and the child have already become firmly attached to each other, the little one eats milk with appetite, and suddenly - dissatisfaction, crying, a long “hanging” on the chest... It seems to the mother that lactation has decreased, but this is not so. The baby just becomes more active, he needs more food, but there is no increase in milk, hence the whims.

6 months. This is the very period when, due to his sufficiently “adult” age, the child no longer really gets enough of milk. Mom increasingly begins to feel “emptiness” in her chest and mistakenly thinks that she is losing lactation. In fact, everything functions perfectly, it’s just that the baby quickly “empties” the breast, and milk does not have time to be produced. This means that the time has come to think about complementary feeding.

Mistakes moms make during a lactation crisis

Any nursing woman during a lactation crisis is frightened by situations when the child’s behavior changes and he begins to be capricious. This becomes a reason for mistakes that are very undesirable to make. Frightened mothers, not knowing that the crisis is a temporary phenomenon, begin to get nervous, which can actually lead to a decrease in lactation. Some begin to feverishly express milk (which cannot be done, as this deteriorates its quality). Others run for formula to supplement the baby's feeding (and if the mother does not plan to stop breastfeeding, then such an action is not justified). All a woman needs to do is calm down, everything will soon return to normal.

Do I need to supplement my baby with formula during a crisis?

As already mentioned, when breastfeeding (especially during early stages) supplementary feeding is not encouraged, even if the mother is haunted by the thought that the baby is constantly hungry. Unless, of course, we're talking about specifically about the lactation crisis, and not about the real milk shortage. In the first months the baby has enough mother's milk, and it is not recommended to resort to mixtures without reason. Otherwise, you can easily make a child an “artificial” child - he will quickly realize that sucking from a bottle is much easier and more convenient than sucking from his mother’s breast. Therefore, do not be surprised if, after introducing complementary foods, the baby refuses breastfeeding and milk production stops due to lack of stimulation. If the mother nevertheless decides to introduce formula into the child’s diet, then again: it must be given from a spoon, it cannot be poured into a bottle - the little one may become lazy and refuse to breastfeed.

Is it possible to prevent a lactation crisis?

If breastfeeding proceeds smoothly and with sufficient quantity milk, then the possible onset of a lactation crisis can be alleviated as much as possible. It is impossible to prevent this phenomenon 100%, because every woman’s body reacts differently to such processes. Therefore, all that remains is to wait and perform the following actions:

• Putting your baby to your breast more often will help stimulate the lactation process. It is especially recommended to increase the amount of night and morning feedings;
• Be sure to get enough sleep! Perfect option– go to bed with the baby, and ask one of your relatives to help with household chores; they are unlikely to refuse;
• Try to find time to relax: walk with your husband in the park, get your hair done at the hairdresser, go to a cafe with a friend - this will bring positive emotions;
• Attend proper nutrition, which is very important for lactation. A nursing mother needs to eat five times a day, meals should be balanced;
• Don’t forget to massage your breasts before each feeding, you can apply something warm to it or drink warm tea with milk – it will be easier for the baby to suckle milk.

What to do during a lactation crisis?

If, nevertheless, a lactation crisis has occurred, and the baby does not stop being capricious, what should the mother do? First of all, calm down and don’t get nervous, otherwise there will actually be problems with milk production. Drug treatment during this period is not required, doctors “prescribe” rest, sleep, communication with the child and a good mood. It is very important to put your baby to the breast as much as he requires, especially at night and in the morning - at this time milk is better produced. The more often the baby eats, the better for stimulating lactation. Mom also needs to drink more liquid: water, tea with milk, freshly squeezed juices, fruit drinks and compotes. There should be no coffee, soda or store-bought packaged juices in a nursing woman’s diet!

How can you tell if your baby has enough milk?

There are situations when a child really does not have enough mother's milk, which has nothing to do with a lactation crisis. How to determine the difference between these two phenomena in order to know for sure whether the baby is receiving the necessary portions of milk? You just need to count how many times a day the baby urinates. The norm should be about 8-12 times, but if the indicators are less, it is necessary to observe the child for another two to three days. If the number of urinations has not changed or has become even less, it means that the baby does not have enough breast milk and needs extra food. But you shouldn’t transfer the toddler completely to artificial nutrition, it’s better to do it mixed.

How to check the intensity of lactation?

In order to make sure that milk production is intensive, you need to check your body temperature in the usual way(in the armpit area), then body temperature under the chest - and compare the numbers. If lactation proceeds in accordance with all standards, then the temperature under the mammary gland will be half a degree or one degree higher. For example, if the thermometer showed 36.6 under the armpit, then under the breast it will be 36.7. If the temperature does not show any difference, then the lactation protest is not intense enough.

How to enhance lactation using folk remedies?

Breastfeeding does not accept any medicines, because they are easily transmitted to the baby through milk. But folk methods in the form of teas and decoctions are not only effective, but also useful. What natural gifts promote milk production?

1. Grate the radish, squeeze out the juice, add a spoonful of honey and take before feeding.
2. Add a teaspoon of lemon balm, angelica, chamomile and oregano to the brew of regular black tea, pour boiling water over it, cool, strain and drink like regular long tea.
3. Place dandelion flowers in a layer in a jar, sprinkle well with sugar, then again a layer of flowers, and again a layer of sugar - and so on until the very top. After a couple of days, the dandelions will settle and release juice due to the sugar. It should be taken by spoon 3-4 times a day.
4. Pour boiling water over three teaspoons of chopped nettle herb, leave for 10 minutes, strain and drink. The norm for a nursing woman is a full cup three times a day.
5. Grate the carrots, squeeze the juice and drink three times a day. You can add honey to taste.
6. A decoction of the following herbs and plants perfectly enhances lactation: ginger, fennel, saffron, cumin, anise, dill and cinnamon. The dosage may vary according to individual taste.
7. Mix a whisper of crushed cumin seeds with lemon juice and a tablespoon of sugar. Pour a liter of water and boil over low heat for several minutes. Infuse, cool, strain and take half a glass no more than twice a day.
8. Nucleoli walnuts(at the rate of 50g per serving) chop and pour hot milk over them (150g per serving). Infuse until warm, add a spoonful of honey and take three times a day. Honey can be replaced with sugar, and milk with cream.

The main thing that every nursing mother should remember is the fact that a lactation crisis is not a deviation or pathology, and there is no reason to panic. Yes, problems may arise, but they are short-term and dealing with them is not so difficult. If a woman does everything correctly, then the lactation crisis will pass almost unnoticed. Good mood and positive emotions are the main key to success.

A lactation crisis is an insufficient production of milk by the mammary glands during lactation, which is transient in nature and appears without apparent reason and also ends on its own for no reason.

Lactation crises are normal physiological processes, since they are the result of hormonal changes in the body of a woman who has given birth - the production of the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for the formation of milk, decreases and the child’s need for food increases.

When do they arise?

Lactation crises occur:

• 3-6 weeks after birth;
• at 3–4 months;
• at 7–8 months; in some women, crises may appear every 1.5 months.

The duration of the lactation crisis is 3-4 days (in some cases up to 7 days), then milk production is restored and the process returns to normal.

Why do lactation crises occur?

Fatigue and stress of a young mother aggravate the course of lactation crises and contribute to a decrease in her milk supply.

First of all, the appearance of a lactation crisis is influenced by the lack of psychological attitude women on . Many mothers have heard from friends about lactation crises, and as a result they begin to fear that the milk will disappear and the baby will remain hungry; the resulting stress worsens the process of milk production.

In any case, the following negative factors influence a decrease in lactation:

• Insufficient desire of a woman to breastfeed. The first and most important key to successful, long-term breastfeeding is a woman’s strong conviction that she can and will breastfeed her baby.
• Rarely attaching a newborn to the breast. For successful breastfeeding, the mother must be with her child all the time, hold the baby in her arms more, the child must determine the frequency of feedings and their duration.
• An incorrect mother's day regimen reduces milk production: a nursing woman should get enough sleep. It has been proven that bad influence The production of breast milk is affected by physical and psycho-emotional stress and stress.
• Breastfeeding is negatively affected by improper, insufficient nutrition of a woman, diet, illness, as well as age.

Symptoms

The mother makes hasty conclusions that she does not have enough milk if her breasts did not enlarge during pregnancy, if milk did not arrive after childbirth, if when expressing there is no milk at all or it flows out in a single thin stream, if the child cries often and his mother often is breastfeeding, but the baby does not receive satisfaction from feeding, or the child has rare stools in small volumes.

All these signs are only a certain probability that there is really little milk. Reliable signs There are only three reductions in milk quantity:

1. Low weight gain in the baby - less than 15-20 g per day or less than 125 g per week.
2. The child pees less than 6 times a day.
3. Low performance check weighing for all feedings per day. For example: at the age of 2 weeks - 2 months daily requirement child in breast milk approximately 1/5 of its weight (with a weight of 4 kg - 800 ml of milk), at the age of 2-4 months - 1/6, at the age of 4-6 months - 1/7, but not more than 1 liter per day.

On a note! There are no more than 3-5% of women in the world who actually produce insufficient milk. All the remaining 97% of women give up breastfeeding due to their personal reluctance or lack of knowledge about correct technique breastfeeding.

How does a crisis affect a baby’s body?

A temporary decrease in lactation for 3-7 days, i.e., a lactation crisis, does not harm the child, since this food unloading is a physiologically necessary phenomenon for an immature organism.

What to do during a lactation crisis

The first thing is to calm down and wait for the milk. The mother must understand that the lactation crisis will definitely pass, and her child will not suffer from it. You need to wait for the milk in complete calm. A blunder is unfounded these days, which leads to rapid suppression of milk production and cessation of breastfeeding.

To make mommy confident in her victory, you can offer several useful tips, which will never harm and will be useful in reducing milk production in any situation:

1. It is necessary to put the baby to the breast more often and for longer: you can do it every 1.5-2 hours for more than 25 minutes; during one feeding, you need to offer the baby both breasts in turn (this is done in order to increase the production of the hormone prolactin). It is especially important to breastfeed the baby from 1:00 to 5:00, i.e. in the time interval when maximum amount prolactin.
2. Improve a woman’s nutrition - eat enough calories, diversify the diet, offer the woman more foods that stimulate her appetite. A woman should eat 5 times a day, mainly plant foods - bread, rice, buckwheat, vegetables and fruits; every day a mother should eat natural meat, fish (as well as cottage cheese, cheese and milk if the child does not have allergies or protein intolerance cow's milk). Normalize drinking regime– the volume of additional liquid in the form of tea, compote, juice, fruit drink should be at least 1 liter per day.
3. The mother should definitely sleep during the daytime, get more positive emotions, care, warmth and affection from other family members.
4. It is necessary to massage the breast before giving it to the baby, rubbing it terry towel, do a contrast shower on the mammary glands.
5. You can drink lactogenic teas and specialized dairy products to enhance lactation. Mushroom soups enhance milk production, walnuts, lemon balm, mint, strawberry roots and leaves, sweet clover. These medications should be taken 15-20 minutes before intended breastfeeding.
6. Avoid giving your child water or tea, as this will cause false feeling satiety and refusal of the newborn to breastfeed. It is also necessary to exclude all items that imitate female breast-, nipples, etc. It is necessary to stop supplementing the baby with formula milk if this is not recommended by the pediatrician.
7. Use the acupuncture method.

The main indicator of effective breastfeeding is sufficient weight gain of the child, his wellness And active behavior. In conclusion, I would like to say that a woman who wants to breastfeed will breastfeed, and success depends only on her desire and aspiration.

With the birth of a baby, the life of every woman changes dramatically. She follows a special diet and daily routine, adapting to the needs of the child. His every cry or anxious behavior causes concern in the mother, because such behavior may signal a lack of milk. During lactation, periods invariably come when the baby begins to demand everything. large quantity valuable nutrition, but the woman’s body does not have time to adapt to new demands and the so-called lactation crisis occurs. It is very important for a young mother to know what a lactation crisis is and how to cope with it, since the duration of the crisis largely depends on the success of overcoming it. full feeding chest.

A breastfeeding crisis is a predictable situation that invariably occurs at certain stages of child development. This condition can recur several times during the lactation period. For some mothers, crises can occur quite often and only after the child has passed the sixth month of life does breastfeeding improve and cease to cause concern to the woman.

Lactation crises are periods of physiological decrease in milk production. These temporary periods of decreased lactation occur regardless of the mother’s desire to breastfeed and are necessary for the woman’s body to adapt to the baby’s new needs for the amount of milk.

The reasons for such a thing as a lactation crisis are a physiological phenomenon, but sometimes a young mother, without knowing it, can become a provocateur of a decrease in milk production, because her lifestyle and emotional condition are closely related to the production of nutrient fluid. To establish its production, the mother only needs to normalize her sleep and nutrition patterns, and take a break from the daily household routine.

The following factors influence a decrease in lactation:

• stressful state;
• fatigue, lack of sleep;
• unbalanced diet and low fluid intake;
• hormonal imbalances;
• use of pacifiers and pacifiers;
• non-compliance with principle .

The main reason remains physiological development a baby whose growing body begins to require increasingly larger volumes of milk, and the mother’s body cannot quickly produce the required amount. This is why milk dissonance occurs, which can be easily recognized by the baby’s changed behavior.

Symptoms of a lactation crisis

They will tell the mother that a lactation crisis has begun. characteristic symptoms, which manifest themselves already in the first days both in her body and in the baby’s behavior. These include:

• restless behavior of the child;
• feedings become longer and more frequent;
• “empty” mammary glands;
• devastation during one feeding of both breasts.

If the baby behaves restlessly, constantly cries, and calms down after breastfeeding, this does not mean that the mother has begun a lactation crisis. Signs of such behavior in a baby are characteristic of many conditions (colic, emotional overexcitement).

But an increase in the usual feeding time, a shortening of the interval between them, a feeling of emptiness in the mammary glands are already clear indicators of the onset of a crisis. If the baby does not get enough of one breast, requires supplements, remains capricious after receiving food, you should also think about the onset of a crisis.

When do they happen and how long do they last?

First month

The first predicted crisis under guardianship occurs in one month old(3 and 6 weeks after delivery). This is closely related to the development of the baby’s sensory organs. At 1 month, he begins to notice previously unfamiliar objects, sounds and smells, often expressing his emotions by loud crying or restless behavior. A young mother cannot help but notice changes in the baby’s behavior. On at this stage A woman should not resort to unnecessary supplementary feeding with artificial formulas and should not use pacifiers. It is important to know that this phenomenon is temporary.

The first crisis lasts from two to five days. In some cases, improvements occur after a week. Top tip regarding how to overcome a lactation crisis at one month of age - continue breastfeeding on demand, distract the baby light massage, a warm bath, gentle touches.

Third month

The breastfeeding crisis, which manifests itself in a baby at 3 months, is caused by active cognition environment and changing nutritional patterns. The child stops actively latching onto the breast while awake and eats exclusively before bed and at night. A 3-month crisis can last from two to ten days.

Dr. Komarovsky in his articles talks about rules for breastfeeding women that will help them survive breastfeeding crises painlessly. According to the pediatrician, a young mother needs to eat quality and regularly, devote more time to rest, and learn to cope with stress, even if the mother does not feel a rush of milk.

Not knowing how to survive a lactation crisis at 3 months, a young mother can offer her baby a pacifier to calm her down - this path is wrong. One of the principles of overcoming is not to force the baby to eat if he does not want to do it. In order to avoid a decrease in milk production in a nursing mother, you should offer the breast before bed, exclude bottle feeding and pacifiers, and be sure to apply it to the breast at night. Night and early morning feedings normalize the production of the hormones prolactin and oxytocin, which are responsible for lactation.

Other periods of decreased lactation

How many crises usually occur during lactation cannot be predicted. Breastfeeding is an individual process that depends on many factors. Some mothers do not even notice any deviations or crises during breastfeeding, while others face this problem even at the age of 6 months. Some young mothers may experience such periods of decreased milk supply even at 11–12 months.

Having previously studied the possible periods and timing of the crisis, the woman will be prepared for this problem, and therefore will be able to overcome it quickly and without additional worries.

Means to increase milk supply

If a mother does not know what to do during periods of decreased lactation, but has a desire to continue breastfeeding, she resorts to means traditional medicine, medicines. Women have faced the problem of a lactation crisis for quite a long time, so each of them has their own ways to increase the lactation of breast milk and thereby reduce the manifestations of the crisis. Modern medicine also does not stand still and offers nursing mothers all kinds of teas and mixtures to increase lactation. It should be noted that any of these products is allowed for use only after the approval of a doctor. Begin using any drug with caution so as not to provoke allergic reaction at the baby's.

The most popular folk methods of increasing breast milk volumes are:

• walnuts;
• warm tea with milk;
• carrot juice;
• teas based on fennel, cumin, dill, kalinja, anise, cinnamon, ginger, cumin, oregano, nettle, saffron, fenugreek;
• warm compresses on the chest area without the use of alcohol, vodka, camphor.

Attention and care from a man balance a woman’s emotional state, reduce stress, and give vitality. A calm and satisfied mother is the key to a healthy and well-fed child, therefore, it is necessary to involve the father in caring for the baby, transfer part of the household duties around the house so that a nursing woman can have a good rest, sleep or get away from a routine environment for a few hours.

Your doctor may prescribe the following medications:

• nicotinic acid 15–20 minutes before breastfeeding;
• Apilak under the tongue,
• homeopathic remedies Mlekoin, Pulsatilla compositum, Hamomilla;
• glutamic acid 20 minutes after eating;
• drugs Gendevit, Undevit;
• vitamin E;
• dry brewer's yeast, etc.

A woman who understands what a breastfeeding crisis is, when there are possible outbreaks of this condition, can easily cope with the current situation. Between one and three months of age highest probability the emergence of a crisis, so mommy must make every effort to competently avoid it. Basic actions during a lactation crisis:

• normalize psycho-emotional state mothers;
• establish a drinking regime and balance your diet (drink at least 2.5 liters of liquid, include fish, mushroom soups, etc. in your diet);
• stop using pacifiers and pacifiers;
• do not supplement your baby’s feeding with a bottle of formula without a doctor’s recommendation;
• be sure to breastfeed at night;
• increase the number of breastfeedings during the day;
• do physical exercise, massage or warm shower on the breast area to make it easier for your baby to suck out milk.
• use protein and vitamin products for nursing mothers as prescribed by a doctor (“Mama Plus”, “Complivit Mama”, “Femilak - 2”, “Agu Mama”).

To save normal level lactation woman should lead healthy image life, get enough sleep, go for walks more often fresh air, receive help from your husband, feel his care and love. If these simple rules are followed, both the baby and the mother will easily endure any crisis.

The problem of lactation crisis is common among lactating women. During the next feeding, a woman may notice that her baby is no longer satisfied with the portion of breast milk that is released in one latch. Let's look at what tactics in this case need to be adhered to, and whether it is worth resorting to the use of artificial nutritional mixtures.

Characteristics of the condition

A lactation crisis is a condition characterized by a temporary decrease in breast milk production. The most frequently The onset of crisis is the first 4 months after the birth of the child. Often this condition occurs at 3, 7 and 12 weeks of a child’s life.

Primiparas whose bodies have not yet adjusted the lactation mechanism are at risk of a lactation crisis. A decrease in breast milk production is a short-term nuisance that, if proper organization lactation goes away on its own.

Important! A decrease in breast milk production should not lead to cessation of breastfeeding. Growing children's body urgently needs full source nutrients, which is mother's milk.

Symptoms

Manifestations of a lactation crisis are varied. The child may experience a reaction in the form of whims and crying immediately after finishing feeding. A breastfeeding woman may be bothered by a feeling of emptying of the mammary glands, which was not previously observed.

The lack of mother's milk forces the child to more often give signs that he is hungry. Other manifestations of a lactation crisis on the part of a child include:

• the frequency of urination is less than 5 times a day;
• constant whims and crying of the baby;
• weight gain per month was less than 500 g;
• irregular stools with a greenish tint;
• the frequency and duration of feedings has increased significantly;
• During the day the baby refuses breastfeeding.

At normal growth and the development of the child, the lactation crisis does not pose a danger to him. The main rule for the mother should remain feeding on demand. It is frequent breastfeeding that has a stimulating effect, thereby increasing milk production in the mammary gland.

Causes

This condition can be caused by various factors, depending on both mother and child. Common causes of lactation crisis include:

• A sharp growth spurt in the baby. In this case, the growing child's body needs increased quantity food. During this period, the body of a nursing woman is not able to ensure proper production of breast milk.
• Psycho-emotional, physical and hormonal factors have a significant impact on the development of a lactation crisis.
• Regular exposure to stress on the body of a nursing woman.
• Violation of food and drinking rules.
• Excessive physical and emotional stress.
• Attaching the baby to the breast according to an hourly schedule. The gold standard for breastfeeding is to feed strictly on demand.
• Using pacifiers, as a result of which the baby stops actively attaching to the breast. Weak stimulation of the mammary glands contributes to a decrease in breast milk production and the onset of a lactation crisis.
• Usage artificial mixtures as a supplement. Replenishing the lack of breast milk with formula or drinking water causes a decrease in stimulation of the mammary glands, and as a result, the production of breast milk.

Fighting methods

Despite the fact that the lactation crisis disappears on its own, there are some recommendations that allow short time get rid of breast milk deficiency.

• Organization of the daily routine

Compliance daily routine doesn't play last role in ensuring normal lactation. A breastfeeding woman is advised to eat well and get as much rest as possible. Of particular value is night sleep, the duration of which must be at least 9 hours. It is better to distribute household chores evenly among your family and friends.

• Compliance with drinking regime

The intake of the required amount of fluid into a woman’s body significantly affects the process of producing breast milk. During a lactation crisis, the volume of fluid consumed should be more than 2.5 liters per day. Drinking and drinking water can be used as a liquid. mineral water, fruit juices(except citrus fruits), compotes, fruit drinks, green and black tea with milk. In addition, it is useful to use herbal preparations that stimulate lactation.

• Compliance with feeding regimen

Increasing the frequency of breastfeeding is an excellent prevention of a lactation crisis. If a woman experiences a feeling of complete emptying of the mammary gland, this should not be a reason to stop breastfeeding.

Feeding at night is also an important part of preventing and treating low breast milk supply. Adhering to the on-demand feeding regimen, the woman is recommended to place the baby next to her, thereby facilitating the procedure of nighttime breastfeeding.

• Refusal of artificial mixtures

If there is no need to translate to artificial feeding It is not recommended for a nursing woman to supplement her baby with formula milk. Such experiments cause a decrease in the production of breast milk in the mammary glands.

• Using massage techniques

Stimulation of lactation is carried out through self-massage of the mammary glands. Before performing the self-massage procedure, it is recommended to take a contrast or warm shower and wipe the mammary glands dry. To reduce friction, you can use pharmaceutical (peach) or olive oil. It is necessary to begin the massage by gently stroking the mammary glands from the periphery to the center (towards the nipple). After this, you can begin to carefully and alternately knead the mammary glands. It is recommended to massage in the morning after waking up and in the evening before going to bed.

• Exposure to heat

If problems arise with insufficient breast milk production, a nursing woman is recommended to take a warm (not hot) bath or shower. The duration of such a bath should be no more than 20 minutes. To enhance therapeutic effect adoption can be combined warm bath and self-massage techniques for the mammary glands. If there are contraindications for taking a general bath, you can wash your breasts warm water or make baths.

• Keeping Calm

Emotional balance plays a significant role in the lactation process. Constant emotional outbursts provoke hormonal changes in a woman’s body, which in turn can affect the quality of breastfeeding.

• Compliance with feeding technique

Violation of the technique of attaching a child to the breast may be due to improper latching of the nipple. If the baby's lips do not completely cover the nipple and areola, then during feeding there is insufficient stimulation of the mammary gland and a lactation crisis is provoked.

Proper organization of the breastfeeding regimen and technique guarantees the absence of problems with milk production. If all recommendations are followed, the duration of the lactation crisis is no more than 3 days. If this process is protracted, then perhaps the nursing woman makes some mistakes. In this case, it is recommended to contact your doctor or breastfeeding specialist, who will conduct a consultation and identify a number of necessary treatment measures.

As your baby grows, his behavior under the breast constantly changes. But if these changes are associated with a sudden increase in the frequency of attachments, the child’s anxiety, or the disappearance of the previous feeling of breast fullness, they very often become the cause of maternal distress. And the first thing that comes to mind may be the thought of reducing the amount of milk, and while discussing the situation with a friend or pediatrician, a mysterious diagnosis pops up - "lactation crisis"

Terminology: past and present

In the past, indeed, there was an opinion that during breastfeeding there are periods when a woman’s milk supply becomes less - hence the name “lactation crisis”. However, there are no explanations for why this happens even among mothers who monitor proper attachment, feed their babies on demand day and night, and do not use substitutes mother's breast(nipple, pacifiers, overlays), until a certain point there were none. But with the advent of new knowledge in the field of lactation physiology, an answer was found to this question, or rather, views on what was actually happening were revised.

According to today's level of knowledge, a woman's milk does not disappear during these periods, and its quantity does not decrease. And the child’s frequent desire to attach to the breast is associated with periods of abrupt growth of the child, during which his need for nutrition also suddenly increases. In accordance with the change in ideas on this matter, the term for defining such periods has also changed - now they are usually called "growth spurts", and the concept of “lactation crisis” is considered outdated.

Natural mechanisms

Most often, growth spurts occur in children 3 and 6 weeks and then at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, but can also be observed at other times. During such periods, the baby actually begins to ask for the breast more often, because for him it is the only way signal the mother's body about its increased needs. But the mother’s body, in turn, has all the resources to quickly adapt to the baby’s new needs and increase milk production to the required volumes. This ability is based on two mechanisms:

Firstly, the stimulation of the nipple and areola during sucking itself is a signal for an increase in blood levels prolactin– a hormone responsible for milk production. That is, the more often the baby is applied to the breast, the more often a new portion of prolactin is released.

INo secondly, milk in the breast is produced according to the “supply and demand” principle. Therefore, the greater the total volume of milk the baby sucks during the current day, the more milk will be produced the next day.

It is worth noting that spasmodic growth is characteristic of absolutely all babies. It’s just that in some cases the increase in the child’s demand for milk occurs more sharply and clearly than in others. At the same time, there are many mothers who do not notice any “crises” at all throughout the entire lactation period, but simply sensitively respond to any needs of their babies without regard to the total number of feedings per day and their duration.

How to distinguish a “growth spurt” from a true decrease in milk supply?

As we have already found out, the first sign of a “growth spurt” is that the child quite suddenly begins to ask for the breast more often than usual. In addition, the child may experience anxiety and crying at the end of feeding, when the flow of milk weakens, and the baby has not yet had time to fully satisfy his increased needs.

As for the mother’s feelings, the breasts, which previously felt soft after the baby was attached, but became filled again by next feeding, now it feels soft all the time. It is worth noting here that a particularly pronounced feeling of fullness and heaviness in the breasts is typical only in the first weeks, or at most a few months after the birth of the baby, after which the breasts become soft in most women, and this is a sign of established lactation. But during periods of growth spurts, the breasts may feel especially “empty” and soft, “like a rag.”

However, when doing simple rules, which will be discussed further, these manifestations, concerning both the child’s behavior and sensations in the chest, should soon pass. To increase milk production in accordance with the new needs of the baby, the mother’s body needs from 1-3 to 7 days, average 3-4 days.

If after this time the situation does not change, you can check whether the child is getting enough milk using two indicators:

1. weekly weight gain should be at least 125 grams (at least 500 grams per month.
2. number of urinations per day should be 12 or more (applicable only for children under 6 months who do not receive additional fluids (water, medications in liquid form etc.).

If the obtained figures really indicate malnutrition, then you should not expect that everything will resolve itself; delay will only worsen the situation. In this case, it is necessary to understand how breastfeeding is organized: is the baby attached correctly to the breast, is there a pacifier or bottle in use, is the baby given water (for babies under 6 months), are feedings frequent enough throughout the day, including whether night feedings are present.

What not to do?

If you notice changes characteristic of a “growth spurt,” the first thing you shouldn’t do is panic over the thought that your child isn’t getting enough to eat. Your tension and nervousness can affect the functioning of the second main hormone of lactation - oxytocin, which is responsible for the ease of milk separation from the breast, which will only worsen the situation.

Since growth spurts are an absolutely physiological phenomenon, nature also made sure that while milk production adjusts to increased demand, the child does not remain hungry. It is known that the completeness of satisfaction of nutritional needs is associated not only with the amount of milk, but also with its high-quality composition. In particular, during periods of growth spurts, the fat content in breast milk increases, due to which it becomes more nutritious and energetically valuable.

A particular disservice during “growth spurts” is done by attempts to calm the child’s anxiety by supplementing with formula. Perhaps the baby will stop crying for a while, but the interest in the breast is next time may not manifest itself very soon, but as frequent sucking as possible during such periods is critical important. By supplementing with formula, we actually deceive our body, preventing it from determining the child’s true need for nutrition and adapting to it, not to mention the other risks associated with the baby’s use of artificial formula.

Also, don't look for the key to rapid increase amount of milk in the consumption of various lactogenic products, decoctions of lactogenic herbs and large quantity water. It has been established that the intake of excess fluid into the body does not affect positive effect on the amount of milk produced, and the effect of consuming lactogenic food products And herbal remedies even if it comes, then in itself it will in any case not be as fast and significant as we would like.

Action plan

The best thing to do in a situation where you notice a growth spurt in your baby is to rely on the natural mechanisms of increasing milk production and put your baby to the breast as often as he asks for it, and do not limit the duration of feedings. And to help your baby empty the breast as completely as possible, you can use techniques to improve the functioning of oxytocin: warm shower and warm drinks before feeding, as well as any relaxation techniques that are effective for you.

When, after emptying one breast, the baby begins to show anxiety, offer him the second, after which you can alternately shift him several times from one breast to the other. Giving the baby two breasts at one feeding in such a situation is not only possible, but also necessary, since it promotes more rapid expansion volume of milk produced.

To reduce your baby's anxiety during feeding, you can use the following: auxiliary techniques, such as swaying while walking or sitting on a fitball, singing lullabies, hissing in the baby’s ear or turning on white noise (even background noise when a hair dryer, extractor hood, vacuum cleaner, or water pouring from a tap are operating).

At this time, you should devote as much time as possible to your baby. Therefore, try to postpone all non-urgent housework, trips somewhere and other matters for a few days. Do not refuse help in any way household things, which can be provided to you by relatives and friends. Rest on such days is also important for you because it helps reduce the level of stress hormones in the body, which has a positive effect on milk production.

Think about how to create a comfortable emotional environment around yourself. During such periods, you should not plan to receive guests, who will create unnecessary fuss in the house and take away time for preparation, mentally and physically distracting you from caring for the baby. Also try during these periods to limit communication with people whose unsolicited advice and comments regarding the frequency of attachments may affect your peace of mind. Remember that the key to getting out of any non-standard situations largely lies in the calmness and confidence of the mother in her actions.