Lactation diet tips: scientifically match food to effectively promote lactation

Author: Wang Linyuan Jing Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Reviewer: Li Zhenghong, Chief Physician, Peking Union Medical College Hospital

As we all know, the diet of breastfeeding mothers has an important impact on the quality and quantity of breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers often face many doubts, such as "I drink so much milk-inducing soup every day, why is there still not enough milk for my baby?" "What should I eat to 'produce milk'?" "How can I eat to increase the nutrition of breast milk?" "I really want to drink coffee, can I drink it?" ... Today, let the "37℃ Caring Science Team" of Peking Union Medical College Hospital answer your questions and solve your doubts!

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Question 1: I drank a lot of “milk-inducing soup” and ate a lot of meals, but why is there still so little breast milk?

1. Factors affecting milk production

(1) Breastfeeding frequency: The amount of milk produced is closely related to the frequency of breastfeeding of the mother. Maintaining a breastfeeding frequency of no less than 8 times a day and a total breastfeeding time of no less than 140 minutes is very helpful in increasing the amount of milk produced. In addition, nighttime is the peak of prolactin secretion. It is recommended that mothers who have a strong desire to breastfeed should try not to exceed 5 hours between breastfeeding or feeding at night.

(2) Individual differences: Some mothers do not produce much milk even if they pump frequently, which may be related to the development of the mother's breasts. Mothers with poor breast development may need more patience and effort.

(3) Hormone influence: Changes in hormone levels can also affect milk production. Ensuring that the body is in a good hormonal balance can help increase milk production.

(4) Mood and sleep: Maintaining a happy mood and avoiding excessive tension and anxiety can help promote lactation. Sufficient sleep is also very important for lactation.

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2. Suggestions

(1) Frequent breastfeeding: Increasing the number of breastfeedings, especially at night, can effectively stimulate the mammary glands and increase milk secretion.

(2) Diversified diet: In addition to "milk-inducing soup", you can also consume a variety of nutritious foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits and high-quality protein.

(3) Maintain a good attitude: Do not be overly anxious, maintain a positive and optimistic attitude, and enjoy the breastfeeding process.

(4) Adequate rest: Ensure adequate sleep and avoid excessive fatigue.

In summary, the amount of breast milk is affected by many factors, including frequency of breast pumping, breast development, hormone levels, mood and sleep, etc. Mothers with little milk do not need to be overly anxious. Frequent breast pumping, a happy mood, adequate sleep and a reasonable diet can all help increase milk production.

Question 2: Does my diet during breastfeeding affect the nutrition of breast milk?

1. Factors that affect breast milk quality Generally speaking, if the mother is healthy, the nutrition of breast milk can fully meet the baby's needs. However, when the mother is severely malnourished or has a picky diet, the quality and quantity of breast milk may be affected. The quality and quantity of mother's breast milk are mainly regulated by lactating cells, so the diet does not have a great impact on the total amount of carbohydrates, protein, and fat in breast milk, as well as breast milk calories, immune active substances, iron, chromium, cobalt, calcium and other trace minerals. However, the mother's eating habits and dietary structure will affect the types of protein and fat in breast milk, as well as the concentration of some vitamins and minerals.

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2. Suggestions

(1) Balanced diet: Make sure your diet contains a variety of nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. Eat high-quality protein, such as meat, fish, beans and dairy products. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits to provide rich vitamins and minerals. You can choose to eat whole grains, such as oats, brown rice and whole wheat bread, which provide rich fiber and nutrition.

(2) Reasonable substitution: If a mother cannot accept a certain type of food, she can choose other foods that provide similar nutrition as a substitute. For example, a mother who does not like dairy products can choose soy milk or nut milk as a substitute.

(3) Avoid extreme diets: Avoid overly picky eating and ensure balanced nutritional intake. If necessary, you can supplement vitamins and minerals in appropriate amounts under the guidance of a doctor.

3. Do I need to avoid certain foods when breastfeeding?

The general principle of breastfeeding mothers' diet is to ensure that the diet is nutritious and balanced. To ensure the health of mothers and babies, it is recommended not to eat a single food during breastfeeding, and to keep the food variety rich but not excessive. Ensure the daily intake of appropriate amounts of poultry, fish, eggs, milk and other proteins, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Figure 4 Image from the website of the Maternal and Child Nutrition Branch of the Chinese Nutrition Society

During breastfeeding, it is recommended to quit smoking and drinking, and limit the intake of foods that can enter breast milk, such as coffee, strong tea, and chocolate. If the mother really wants to drink some coffee or cola, it is recommended to satisfy her craving between breastfeeding to minimize the impact on the baby.

In addition, the mother's diet may contain some allergenic ingredients, which can cause allergies in the baby through breast milk. In this case, it is necessary to avoid these foods under the guidance of a regular doctor. The most common clinical allergy is protein allergy. At this time, the mother may need to avoid foods containing this type of protein in the diet, such as milk, eggs, and seafood.

After answering questions and solving doubts about the topic of "breastfeeding" by the 37℃ Science Popularization Team of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, I believe you have a better understanding of scientific feeding knowledge. I hope every mother can feed scientifically and enjoy the good time of breastfeeding.