How to Increase Milk Production When Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding mothers sometimes worry that they won't produce enough breast milk, but the truth is that most do. Women can even produce enough milk to nurse twins. As long as your baby gains weight as expected, she's probably getting enough milk. If you have reason to suspect you're not producing enough breast milk, though, you can do some things to increase your milk supply.

Instructions

1

Drink plenty of fluids, at least 64 oz. every day. Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine, though, when you breastfeed.

2

Nurse as often as your baby will nurse, aiming for every three hours while your baby is very young. If your baby sleeps much more than three hours at a time, wake her for a feeding.

3

Nurse at both breasts each time you breastfeed your baby. Offer one breast, and as soon as your baby's sucking begins to slow down, switch your baby to the other breast. Your baby should suck vigorously again for a few minutes, and as soon as her sucking starts to slow down, switch her back to the other breast. Try to feed twice from each breast each time you breastfeed your baby.

4

Limit the use of bottles to times when you absolutely cannot breastfeed your baby, such as when you go to work. Avoid pacifiers altogether. Allow your baby to meet her needs for sucking at your breast, which encourages her to suck more, thereby increasing milk production.

5

Rent a hospital grade breast pump, preferably a double pump so you can pump both breasts at the same time in order to save you time, and pump at times you cannot feed your baby. If you have trouble increasing your milk supply, you can also pump for 10 or 15 minutes after your baby finishes nursing to further increase your milk supply.

6

Consider the use of herbs to increase your milk supply but check with your doctor or midwife first. According to the website Breastfeeding Basics, fenugreek, red raspberry and blessed thistle can all increase the production of breast milk. Women with certain health problems or allergies may experience problems if they take certain herbal remedies, though, and herbal remedies can interact with some medications, so always consult a health care professional before taking them, especially when breastfeeding.

7

Talk to your doctor or midwife about prescription medications to increase milk production if other methods don't do the job.

How to Increase Chance of Having Twins

Having two children that are dressed alike is so adorable. The twins will always have a friend to hang out with and someone who understands what they are going through. It's also a way to get a larger family faster. Can you really increase your odds of having twins?

Instructions

1

Take fertility drugs. One of the effects of fertility drugs is that it increases the chances of having multiple births. Sometimes more than twins are born. This drug is mostly given to couples who are having trouble conceiving a child.

2

Eat yams. Yams are popular in the Nigerian village of Igbo-Ora. The village is referred to as the "the land of twins" because mostly all of the families within the village have a set of twins. The high number of twins in the village has led fertility experts to believe that eating yams might increase the chances of a woman having twins in her family.

3

Get pregnant when you are older. The older a person is when they are pregnant, the more it increases their chance of having twins. The reason older woman are more likely to have twins is because of an increased ovulation of multiple eggs. Many celebrities over 40, such as Angelina Jolie and Julia Roberts, have had twins.

4

Get pregnant while breastfeeding. If you are breastfeeding another young baby when you get pregnant, this will also increase the likelihood that you will have twins. Experts believe this is because the lack of calcium in a woman's system has an effect on the egg during conception and ovulation.

5

Make sure twins run in your family. A history of twins on the maternal side of the family is said to increase the chances that you will have twins. There is an inherited gene that causes a woman to release more than one egg during an ovulation cycle to cause the birth of twins. Experts are still debating where this gene can be passed on the father's side of the family.

How to Fix Sagging Breasts

With age, weight gain and loss, breastfeeding and even certain genetic factors, the ligaments and breast tissue that hold the breasts to the chest muscles underneath can weaken and stretch. This causes the breasts to start to droop and sag, losing their fullness and perkiness. Surgical procedures, chest exercises and even certain types of lingerie can help you combat the problem of sagging breasts.

Instructions

1

Do exercises to strengthen your chest muscles. Push-ups, chest presses, and chest flies are great exercises for fortifying the chest muscles. Strong chest muscles are like a natural push-up for your breasts, making them rest higher up on your chest. For a chest press: lie down with your upper back resting on an exercise ball and your knees bent at a 90-degree angle, then hold the dumbbells with both hands close to your chest and lift them straight up. Lower and repeat for 15 reps. For a chest fly: lie down on an exercise ball in the same position as for the chest press, then holding the dumbbells in your hands, stretch your arms out to either side of you and bring your arms straight up until the dumbbells meet, then lower back down. Repeat for 15 reps.

2




Wear fully supportive push-up bras. First, get properly measured by a professional bra fitter at a lingerie store or in the lingerie department at a department store. You must know your exact bra measurement before you can purchase the right bra. If you have a larger chest, purchase a bra that offers full coverage with lift. Try Victoria's Secret Racerback Full Coverage Bra from the Emma Collection. For a smaller chest, try a push-up bra with padding like the Wonder of Gel Satin Push-up bra from Wonder Bra.

3

Get a breast lift. A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that tightens the skin around the chest area and removes sagging excess tissue to lift, define and shape sagging breasts. This is one of the most popular methods to fix sagging breasts.

4

Get a breast lift with implants. This is the ideal treatment for people who have lost volume as well as elasticity in their breasts. A mastopexy with augmentation is a surgical procedure that removes excess tissue, tightens the loose skin and restores fullness with a silicone or saline implant.

How Does a Wet Nurse Spend a Workday?

What is a Wet Nurse?

A wet nurse is a woman who is hired to breastfeed a baby who is not her own. Sometimes when a woman gives birth, she is unable or unwilling to breastfeed her own baby, and a wet nurse is hired to breastfeed the baby instead. Since breastmilk is best for a baby, nutritionally and psychologically, wet nurses can be an option in emergency situations, instead of using formula. If a new mom has a serious illness, or is on certain medications, breastfeeding the baby herself can be dangerous for the baby. Sometimes a woman has given birth to multiple babies and needs help nursing them all. Sometimes a baby is adopted by men who want the baby to be breastfed and a wet nurse is hired. Wet nursing is more common in third world countries now, and in the past was more popular in general when there was a higher rate of mothers dying in childbirth. In some countries, like China, women use wet nurses as a status symbol, handing off that intimate chore to a hired breast. In general, in the modern U.S. and the U.K., it takes a special person or special needs to use a wet nurse.

The Milk is the Thing

A wet nurse will generally live with the family for whom she is hired. Since a newborn baby will breastfeed every two hours in the first few months, a wet nurse will have to be available at all hours of the day and night and would reside with the infant in her charge. A wet nurse sleeps in a room off of the nursery so she can be close to the baby to monitor when when he wakes, to feed him. A day might start at 5:00 a.m. with a feeding before the rest of the house is awake. The wet nurse will gather the crying baby and sit in a rocking chair in the nursery, or another quiet place, and nurse the baby. She will nurse about 10 minutes on one breast, then burp the baby, change the baby's diaper and then nurse the baby on the other breast. A newborn will fall asleep after nursing. The wet nurse will lay the baby back in his crib and head back to bed. The wet nurse will drink a glass of water or juice to keep hydrated (and keep milk flowing) while she is nursing or right afterwards. The rest of the day is centered around the baby's nursing schedule. A very young baby will nurse every 2 hours, so the wet nurse will repeat her nursing routine every 2 hours, interspersing with naps, dressing and diapering the baby (unless he has a separate nurse for that), and offering the baby to the parents. The wet nurse must remain close, as the breastfeeding bond between herself and the baby will internally remind both nurse and baby when the next feeding is approaching. Either the baby's stomach will force the baby to elicit a cry, or the wet nurse's breasts will become swollen with milk.

No Rest for the Weary

Between following the baby wherever the parents need to take him and trying to keep her own body hydrated and fed to keep milk production at a maximum output, a wet nurse will be on call at all times and tireless. Producing breastmilk and breastfeeding uses up an extra 400 calories a day, so a wet nurse must schedule frequent times to eat (and shower and dress herself) around the nursing of the baby, as well as drinking extra liquid to keep her body running and her milk production optimum. By the end of the day, a wet nurse may have nursed at 5:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. A baby will sometimes sleep 3 to 4 hours between feedings at night and the wet nurse can get a few extra minutes of sleep during those times. As the baby gets older, the wet nurse will have typically 4 hours between feedings and by 1 year old, the baby may be weaned, or may be down to three or four feedings a day with breakfast, lunch, bedtime and midnight. By spending so much close time with the baby, a wet nurse will grow very attached to him. A wet nurse may be employed for up to two years, attending to one baby.

Breastfeeding & Allergy Medications

Allergy symptoms are uncomfortable, and the breastfeeding mother might be looking for relief from over-the-counter and prescription medications. Generally, allergy medications are safe for the breastfeeding mother and pose no risk to her baby. Taking the medication at a certain time and choosing the correct medication can help reduce transference, though.

Identification

Allergy medications used to treat common symptoms include antihistamines, cromolyn, inhalant bronchodilators, cortisone sprays and tablets and decongestants.

Effects

"The Breastfeeding Answer Book" and www.askdrsears.com say that these medications are safe for breastfeeding mothers. The only adverse effect noted is increased irritability in newborns whose moms take high doses of theophyliline; however, this effect wasn't noticed in babies older than six months. Also, breastfeeding mothers should take albuterol-containing bronchodilators through inhalation and not orally, www.askdrsears.com says.

Benefits

Breastfeeding could actually help a mother's allergy symptoms, according to www.askdrsears.com. The longer a mother breastfeeds, the less likely it is that her child will develop allergies, which generally tend to run in families. Breastfeeding releases oxytocin, which is a natural stress-releasing hormone. Because some allergy flare-ups and symptoms can be caused by stress, breastfeeding could also offer a mother further protection from symptoms.

Warning

Though allergy medications are generally safe, "The Breastfeeding Answer Book" claims that the younger a baby is, the harder time his body will have eliminating the drug from his system. Premature babies will have a harder time. Also, the heavier a baby is, the better he will be able to get rid of a drug the mother is taking.

Considerations

"The Breastfeeding Answer Book" says that while most drugs do pass to the mother's milk, it's usually only about one or two percent of the mother's dose. Because the dosage is so small, there are few reports of actual adverse reactions to drugs while a mother in breastfeeding.

Time Frame

Though the risks of allergy medication aren't adverse, to further assure that her baby doesn't get as much allergy medication, the breastfeeding mother could take the medication right after feeding her baby. That way, she can feed the baby before the medication is absorbed, and then she will have two or three hours---depending on how often the baby is eating---for the medication to clear her system. If the medication is a once daily medication, "The Breastfeeding Answer Book" suggests taking the medication right before the baby's longest sleep period of the day.

What Can I Feed My Cat to Ensure She Produces Enough Milk for Kittens?

Taking care of your cat's dietary requirements during pregnancy and after giving birth is of paramount importance. A healthy, well-fed cat will be able to produce enough nutrient-rich milk to give the kittens a good start in life.

Early Stages of Pregnancy

The cat should be fed a premium adult food until four weeks before birth. The website Vetinfo recommends you feed a proprietary food, which is perfectly nutritionally balanced.

Latter Stage of Pregnancy

In the final three weeks, change your cat's food to a premium kitten food. This will enable her to produce sufficient milk and will also contain the exact requirements for the kittens. Make the change over the course of a week. Monitor the cat's appetite; she will need more food than usual, but watch her weight.

After the Birth

The cat may not eat much after giving birth. This is normal. Continue offering food; her appetite should pick up within a few days. During the first 24 hours, she will be producing colostrum. Make sure she has constant access to fresh water.

During Lactation

Continue feeding your nursing cat on kitten food. As a general guideline, double the quantity, but pay attention to her appearance. Notice if she is putting on weight or if she is hungry.

As Weaning Approaches

Your cat will produce less milk as the kittens grow. At four weeks, gradually reintroduce regular food, reducing the quantity accordingly.

Parts of the Breast

Breast Exterior

The exterior of the breast reveals two of its most important parts: the nipple and areola. These two parts play their biggest roles in the primary function of the female breast: breastfeeding. According to riainvision.com's "Anatomy of the Breast," the areola, or the dark circle that surrounds the nipple, aids in the process of breastfeeding by supplying a lubricating substance for the nipple. The lubrication is released by Montgomery glands, which are often noticeable in the nursing mother and look like small raised bumps. This lubrication is important, because breastfeeding a hungry and often quite avid infant can be difficult and painful. The nipple (the part of the breast in the center of the areola from which infants suck) contains many nerves that stimulate the production of milk in the breastfeeding woman.

A Look Inside: Ducts, Lobes and Lobules

Inside the female breast, we find three more anatomical aids in breastfeeding. According to the Beth Israel Health Care System's article on the breast anatomy and development, the average woman has about 15 to 20 lobes in each breast. These lobes are made up of lobules, which contain glands that produce milk. 007b's online article, Basic Breast Anatomy, provides a helpful analogy comparing lobes and lobules to a bunch of grapes and the individual grapes that make up the bunch, respectively. The lobules are connected by milk ducts (like grapes are connected by stems). The milk ducts are very small tubes that aid in milk flow. They carry the milk through the breast and to the nipple. A common breastfeeding problem called clogged milk ducts results from the milk being stopped up in one of the milk ducts.

Breast Shape

The shape and size of the breast are determined by the amount of fat and connective tissue. Each breast has a certain amount of fat, which provides padding for the milk ducts, lobes and lobules. More fat means softer breasts; more glandular tissue will result in firmer breasts, as noted at 007B.com. Besides fat, the breast also contains connective tissue or fascia, which holds capillaries and other cells, as well as ligaments, which aid in supporting the breast.

Breast Development Before and During Puberty

The various parts of the breast play different roles, depending on the female's stage of development. Before puberty, female and male breasts are virtually identical. Once a girl goes through puberty, some important changes occur in the breasts. According to Imaginis.com, it is the production of new hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which leads to further breast development. Breast ducts begin to increase in size, and fatty tissue becomes more abundant, which prepare the breasts for pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding.

Breast Development During Pregnancy

The first eight weeks of pregnancy, according to Imaginis.com, cause drastic changes in breast anatomy and development. The milk ducts expand very quickly, causing enlargement of the breasts, and progesterone causes more glandular tissue to develop. The areola and Montgomery glands may also become more pronounced. Many hormonal changes occur throughout pregnancy and are vital for the successful production of milk.

Breast Development After Birth

The breasts continue to develop and change after birth, as described at Imaginis.com. Hormone levels peak when the new baby is born, and the first milk, called colostrum, is produced. This milk is high in nutrients that the new baby needs most. Anatomically, the breasts are radically changed as milk production begins. Baby's suckling, combined with the release of hormone, causes milk to be released and passed through the various ducts, lobes and lobules to the nipple, where it is released to the infant. Naturally, the breasts enlarge in size during the initial stages of breastfeeding, although many women's breasts return to their normal size within a year or so.