Reference: 2022-06-23; https://mbp-japan.com/jijico/articles/32293/
Modified and translated by CFJA
Does coldness of the mother’s body and mother’s anemia cause breast milk production to decrease?
Breast milk is made from blood. Specifically, it is produced in the mammary gland cluster in the breast. The mammary gland is surrounded by capillaries. Breast milk is produced when nutrients in the blood permeate through the capillaries in the breast under the action of the hormonal system.
The hormone prolactin plays an important role in the production of breast milk. Prolactin reacts when the baby sucks on the mother’s nipple. Prolactin instructs the mother to produce breast milk, which is then produced in the mammary gland. After prolactin produces white breast milk, the hormone oxytocin stimulates muscle contractions around the mammary gland clusters and the milk is ejected from the body. The secretion of oxytocin is also stimulated when the baby sucks on the mother’s breast. If there is not enough breast milk, ask the baby to suck on the nipple several times a day to produce breast milk more.
The color of breast milk is white because red blood cells are not taken up. Therefore, breast milk does not turn red. Alcohol and nicotine are dissolved in the blood, so for the health of the baby, it is better to avoid drinking and smoking while breastfeeding. Eating and drinking cold foods and cooling the body with air conditioners will decrease the mother’s body temperature, which in turn will decrease the secretion of breast milk. In addition, when mothers do not get enough rest due to the physical changes they experience after childbirth or by repeating unfamiliar child-rearing tasks every day, physical and mental fatigue accumulates, leading to a decrease in breast milk secretion.
When breast milk production is poor, the baby becomes frustrated. If prolonged, night crying and temper tantrums will come out. As a result, mothers have less time to sleep. Lack of sleep also leads to a decrease in breast milk secretion. It is no exaggeration to say that childcare is based on the mother’s patience. We believe it is necessary for fathers and family members to take actions to relieve mothers’ stress and create an atmosphere where they can look forward to the baby’s growth. Sometimes, it would be good to have time free from childcare. It is believed that it is not only the body that affects the baby’s development, but also the mind.
Acupuncture is the best treatment when breast milk is not ejecting well or when breasts are tender.
When child-rearing is concentrated on the mother alone, postpartum depression and child-rearing neurosis can occur. Mothers are under a lot of stress because they cannot get enough rest, cannot drink cold food, must refrain from using air conditioners, and have no free time. It is natural to want to eat ice cream or drink something cold once in a while. The important thing is not to take too much. It is also important to keep the air conditioning at an appropriate temperature and to avoid direct exposure to the wind of a fan.
Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment is the best way to relieve poor milk supply, breast tenderness, and physical discomfort after childbirth. Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment can eliminate hypothermia, restore physical strength, and eliminate symptoms. In addition, when breast milk production is poor, when breasts are tense, or when mastitis causes severe pain in the breasts, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment can relieve breast tension and enable smooth breastfeeding. It is also effective in improving symptoms such as eczema, night crying, diarrhea, urticaria, constipation, nocturia, and asthma caused by children’s mental anxiety, thus assisting in childcare. If you can take treatment once a week, you will be able to manage your condition.
It is difficult to make time to visit the clinic while raising a child, but with the cooperation of the father and other family members, we hope that you will make every effort to maintain your physical strength.