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Inadequate lactation is the production of less milk than is needed for breastfeeding a child.[1] Some women may either produce an insufficient amount of milk or may experience the cessation of lactation prior to their child being weaned (i.e., not needing to be breastfed any longer). See our Q&A called Inadequate Lactation.
Many ways are available to help prevent, manage, and treat inadequate lactation, including the following self-help, naturopathic, and homeopathic approaches:[1]
If your nipples are flat or inverted during your pregnancy, wear breast shields during your pregnancy to help make your nipples be positioned outward.
Eat a healthy diet consisting of fresh, organic vegetables and fruits, whole grains, freshly-caught fish, and organic sources of protein.
Avoid eating types of fish that are high in mercury, such as swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and tilefish.
Avoid eating foods containing caffeine (such as chocolate).
Drink abundant amounts of water.
Avoid drinking caffeine-containing beverages (such as coffee, black tea, and cola).
Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages.
If your breasts are engorged (i.e., full of milk that does not flow readily), wear a comfortable nursing brassiere at all times.
To treat engorged breasts (i.e., breasts that are swollen due to milk production and inadequate release of milk), take a hot shower and manually massage your breasts to help release some of the milk. Certain massage techniques stimulate drainage of the lymph system and help release some of the milk,
To treat engorged breasts, apply warm, wet packs to the breasts just prior to nursing.
To treat engorged breasts, manually massage your breasts to help release some of the milk just prior to nursing your infant. Certain massage techniques stimulate drainage of the lymph system and help release some of the milk. Massaging the breasts may help allow the infants mouth to fit around the areola (colored part of the breast around the nipple) of the breast.
To treat engorged breasts, apply cold, wet packs to the breasts just after nursing your infant.
To treat engorged breasts, use a hairdryer set on low to dry the milk on your nipples between feedings of your infant.
If you are nursing a child and are experiencing inadequate lactation, take a homeopathic remedy, such as Belladonna, Bryonia, Calcarea carbonica, Dulcamara, Lac caninum, Lac defloratum, Lactuca virosa, Phytolacca, Pulsatilla, Silica, or Urtica urens. Consult a homeopath (a healthcare professional with experience in using homeopathic remedies) for guidance on the homeopathic remedy and dose that are appropriate for you.
If you are nursing a child and are experiencing the production of watery, bad-tasting milk , take a homeopathic remedy, such as Calcarea carbonica or Pulsatilla. Consult a homeopath (a healthcare professional with experience in using homeopathic remedies) for guidance on the homeopathic remedy and dose that are appropriate for you.
If you are nursing a child and are experiencing engorged breasts, take a homeopathic remedy, such as Belladonna, Bryonia, Calcarea carbonica, Dulcamara, Lac caninum, Phytolacca, Pulsatilla, Silica, or Urtica urens. Consult a homeopath (a healthcare professional with experience in using homeopathic remedies) for guidance on the homeopathic remedy and dose that are appropriate for you.
Reduce stress by giving yourself time to relax.
Reduce stress by meditating.
Perform visualization exercises in which you imagine having abundant milk that nourishes and satisfies your child.
Breastfeed your child when the child demands to be fed, rather than at times dictated by the clock.
During nursing, position your infant to make it easier for the infant to breastfeed.
During nursing, alternate feeding your infant from each breast.
If your infant refuses to breastfeed, collect your breast milk. Feed your infant with the breast milk given on a clean, small spoon, rather than from a bottle.
If the self-help, naturopathic, and homeopathic approaches discussed previously do not result in adequate lactation, consult your integrative medical physician and gynecologist for consideration of the following approaches to help you produce sufficient amounts of milk:
Devices to help release the milk from the breasts
Prescription medications. The disadvantage of taking certain prescription medications is that certain drugs may be secreted into the breast milk.
If a woman experiences insufficient lactation, her child will require one or more of the following types of nutrition in order to thrive:[1]
Breast milk from another nursing woman
Goat milk, which is the closest substitute for human breast milk. Of the substitutes for human breast milk, goat milk is the least allergenic.
Soy milk
Cow milk
Formula (synthetic milk substitute for infants)
Consult your integrative medical physician and pediatrician for guidance on proper nutrition for your child. Also, the website of La Leche League International (www.llli.org) has helpful information on breastfeeding and infant nutrition.
REFERENCE
1. J. Reichenberg-Ullman. Whole Woman Homeopathy. 2004. North Edmonds, WA: Picnic Point Press
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