博客

  • 母乳分泌量减少的原因? Why has my milk supply decreased?

    母乳分泌量减少的原因? Why has my milk supply decreased?

    对母乳分泌量影响最大的原因是心理原因。

    妈妈会担心自己的乳汁不足,这一点很正常。如果你的很多朋友都有乳汁不足的问题,你可能会更担心。事实上,对于绝大多数妈妈来说,你的奶足够你的宝宝吃,要相信自己的身体,也要相信其实你的孩子在控制你的奶量。

    妈妈的身体由于什么原因达不到希望的奶量,这是一个虚的概念。在哺乳的过程中,有时我们会受到一些干扰,比如:有时是妈妈得到了错误的信息;有时宝宝不能及时吃掉妈妈的奶,医疗干预下的分娩有时也会使哺乳不能有个好的开始;或者外界的人说你的奶不好(或者你的奶不够)。

    另外,有些女性生理结构上的问题使得这样的妈妈哺乳困难,例如:做过乳房手术,乳房或者乳头有问题。这些问题都可能会干扰妈妈的产奶量,但是大多数问题可以解决,也有很多提升乳汁供应量的办法。这些干扰如果都不存在的话,妈妈的奶是完全足够的!

    只有极为少数的妈妈,可能1%都不到的妈妈真正存在身体的原因,她的泌乳量不够,可能是由于女性荷尔蒙不平衡造成,但是这种女性本身就很难怀孕。

     (本文根据对 Ivy Makelin 的采访内容整理)

  • 我有足够的奶水吗? I want to know if my breasts are making milk normally. Do I have enough milk?

    我有足够的奶水吗? I want to know if my breasts are making milk normally. Do I have enough milk?

    I want to know if my breasts are making milk normally. Do I have enough milk?

    我想知道我的乳房是否能正常产奶?我有足够的奶水吗?

    This is a common breastfeeding concern. Many women wonder if their experiences are within the “normal” range. Here are some common concerns:

    这是母乳喂养中的常见问题。很多妈妈们都想知道她们的情况是否属于“正常”范围。

    以下列举了一些妈妈们经常关心的问题:

    My breasts are no longer leaking. Am I not making enough milk?

    我的乳房不再溢奶了,这是否意味着我的奶水不够了?

    Leaking has no relationship to how much milk a mother is making. Once your milk supply is well established, leaking normally diminishes or ceases. Some mothers experience leaking longer than others.

    是否溢奶与妈妈产奶的多少是毫无关系的。一旦母乳分泌达到稳定状态后,溢奶情形一般都会减少或消失。也有些妈妈溢奶的时间要比其他妈妈长些。

    When I pump I find that one breast produces more milk than the other. Is something wrong?

    用吸奶器吸奶时我发现一只乳房产奶比另一只多,这有问题吗?

    Every woman‘‘s breasts are a little different, and since humans are not symmetrical, breasts aren‘‘t either. It is common for one breast to have more milk-producing tissue than the other. In fact, sometimes babies will prefer the more- or the less-productive breast, and this is perfectly normal.

    每个妇女的乳房都略有不同。因为人不是完全对称的,乳房也不会完全相同。一只乳房比另一只乳房有更丰富的的产奶组织是很常见的。有时候宝宝更喜欢产奶多或产奶少的那只乳房,这非常的正常。

    My breasts no longer feel “full” when it is time for a feeding. Is my milk supply decreasing?

    该给宝宝喂奶时,我没有胀奶的感觉,这是不是说明我的产奶量减少了?

    When a mother‘‘s milk supply adjusts to her baby‘‘s needs, the feelings of fullness or engorgement she may have felt early on will subside.

    当妈妈的产奶量和宝宝的需求调适好后,先前的胀奶或充盈感觉就会消失。

    I no longer feel the let-down, or milk-ejection reflex.

    我不再有奶阵或感觉不到喷乳反射了。

    This may occur as time goes on. Some mothers do not feel a let-down at all, but they can tell by watching their baby‘‘s pattern of suck and swallow when their let-down is occurring.

    随着时间的推移,这有可能发生。有些妈妈自始至终都感受不到奶阵,但通过观察宝宝吸吮、吞咽的规律可判断奶阵是否来临。

  • 我的乳汁太多吗?Am I Making Too Much Milk?

    我的乳汁太多吗?Am I Making Too Much Milk?

    有时妈妈会产生比宝宝需要量多的乳汁。尽管乳汁多看上去似乎是一个好的麻烦,但是从涨满的乳房流出的急速的乳汁会使妈妈和宝宝对哺乳感到紧张和不适。宝宝在两次哺乳之间也会因为奶量太多而显得烦躁。

    多数妈妈乳汁多的宝宝体重增加得比正常宝宝快,每天需要更换更多尿布。 (参考 如何知道我的宝宝吃到了足够的母乳?  来获得正常体重增长和尿量信息)。只要宝宝愉快、容易哺乳,体重增长比正常宝宝快对于纯母乳喂养的宝宝来说没有任何问题。只有当宝宝或妈妈因为乳汁过多而遭遇哺乳困难时这才被看做是个问题。

    一些妈妈乳汁过多的宝宝其实并没有得到足够的乳汁,因为他们很难控制流量过大的乳汁,所以很难哺乳。这些宝宝需要补充喂养(最好是他们妈妈的挤出来的乳汁),直到妈妈们的乳汁分泌量调节到适合他们的所需。

    如果妈妈的乳汁多到宝宝难以控制,通常会有以下表现:

    • 宝宝容易哭闹,经常易激惹和/或不安
    • 哺乳时宝宝有时可能会噎住、窒息、来不及下咽或咳嗽
    • 哺乳时宝宝可能会咬或抓乳头
    • 宝宝离开时乳汁喷射,尤其是在刚开始哺乳时
    • 妈妈可能会有乳头疼痛
    • 宝宝可能会蜷紧身体,有时尖叫
    • 宝宝断断续续地吃奶,哺乳常常像是在打仗
    • 哺乳时间短,仅仅持续5-10分钟
    • 宝宝显得对乳房“爱恨交加”
    • 两次哺乳之间宝宝可能会经常打嗝或嗳气,吐奶多
    • 宝宝可能会有绿色水样或泡沫样喷射而出的大便
    • 多数时间妈妈的乳房感到涨满
    • 妈妈可能会有频繁乳管阻塞,有时会导致乳腺炎(乳房感染)

    如果你有过其中的很多表现,可能就是由于你的乳汁过多,这可能会导致强烈喷乳(有时指的是过强喷乳反射),和/或前奶后奶失衡。[1][2]上述婴儿的表现是由这些原因引起的,但常常被误认为是肠绞痛、乳糖不耐受、乳蛋白过敏、返流或肌张力增加 (肌肉紧张)。

    如果你有乳汁过多、喷乳或前后奶不平衡,以下方法可能会改善你的哺乳状况。幸运的是,很多妈妈到宝宝满三个月时发现乳汁过多会自然调整到可控的水平了。

    为什么会发生乳汁过多?

    妈妈泌乳过多的原因有几个。一些妈妈的身体反应强烈,她们从一开始就分泌很多乳汁。另一些人可能是由于听从了一些母乳喂养的建议而无意中增加了乳汁分泌。如果妈妈在哺乳前为了使哺乳更容易而常规使用吸奶器吸出大量乳汁来降低乳汁流量,这种做法尤其会导致产奶过多。。她可能暂时达到了目的,但最终导致了长期的问题。另一个原因可能是在宝宝吃空一侧乳房前频繁两侧乳房交替哺乳。这通常会发生在妈妈每侧乳房只喂了一段时间或者她们在试图寻找在哪一侧哺乳会让宝宝不烦躁。有些妈妈的乳房对刺激非常敏感,两侧交替而不把一侧完全吃空会导致两侧乳房分泌乳汁过多。

    乳汁过多问题的产生通常是由于妈妈们从书本、网络或善意的朋友、家人或医护人员那里得到该如何母乳喂养的错误建议。妈妈可能会被告知她必须每一侧乳房喂多长时间或者宝宝必须每次吃奶都要吃两侧乳房。然而,对于乳汁丰富的妈妈,宝宝可能吃一侧乳房就会很快吃饱,以至于她要早点中止一侧哺乳来让宝宝能够接受继续吃另一侧。宝宝被中断了吃后奶而继续吃另一侧的前奶。大量吃热量较低的前奶会导致一种自我持续的循环:宝宝的胃由于哺乳而觉得饱胀不适,但他仍然感到饥饿,因为他没有得到足够的乳脂肪来满足他。所以宝宝哭闹着要再次吃奶,于是因为宝宝看上去永不满足,妈妈就认为他没有吃到足够的乳汁。

    这种无意中的处理不当可能会进一步导致另外一个问题。前奶乳糖含量高,大量含有正常必要的乳糖的前乳会引起胀气不适,常伴有绿色、水样或泡沫样大便。一段时间以后,不消化的乳糖会刺激肠粘膜,引起短暂性继发乳糖不耐受并可能引起少量便血,这可能会被误诊为食物过敏。调整哺乳来增加宝宝进食的脂肪量(吃空一侧乳房再换另一侧)通常能纠正这些问题。更多关于前奶、后奶以及乳糖的讨论见 Foremilk, Hindmilk, and Lactose FAQ.前奶,后奶和乳糖的常见问题。

    降低乳汁分泌的方法

    改变哺乳方法能够降低总奶量和宝宝获得的乳糖量,同时增加脂肪摄入。由于乳汁过多的妈妈通常每侧乳房都能产生足够的乳汁,一个有效的方法是每次只用一侧哺乳。如果宝宝在两小时内想要再吃,看看再给他喂同一侧时他的反应如何。两个小时后只喂另外一侧。乳房会由于未被频繁吃空而逐渐降低乳汁分泌速度。这样会下调乳汁分泌速度来配合宝宝的真实需要,同时降低宝宝摄入的前奶量和乳糖量。 [3] 当你让宝宝在一侧乳房吃更长时间时,能够保证他完全吃空乳房并获得更多高热量的后奶。

    如果在再次哺乳前你感觉没有哺乳的一侧乳房不舒服,你可以用短时间手挤或用吸奶器(20-30秒或更短),仅仅缓解不适即可。不要吸出太多乳汁,否则你会刺激乳房产生更多乳汁。乳汁里有一种称为“哺乳反馈抑制素”(FIL)的乳清蛋白,如果有一段时间乳汁未被排出,它就会开始产生并聚集。这种蛋白质需要足够多来启动乳房切断乳汁分泌。仅排出少量乳汁来缓解不适仍然能够保证乳房足够胀满,触发“切断乳汁分泌”的信息,大多数妈妈能够降低乳汁分泌而没有乳管阻塞或乳房感染的危险。很多妈妈发现冷敷——新鲜的卷心菜叶或一袋冻豌豆——能够缓解过度充盈造成的不适和肿胀。

    当宝宝变得在两次哺乳之间不那么烦躁,而是更加满足,大便不太稀而且更黄时,你会发现持续一段时间只用一侧哺乳的方法奏效了。由于乳汁流速不那么快了,哺乳时宝宝的噎住、窒息和喷溅也会减少。

    如果4至7天单侧哺乳后宝宝仍然有困难,你可能需要更长时间的单侧哺乳(连续两三次或更长)来进一步降低你的乳汁分泌量。有些乳汁特别多的妈妈可能需要同一侧哺乳达12小时。最好慢慢地、小心地延长仅用一侧哺乳的时间,只有当乳汁分泌量没有下降时才持续更长时间。过长时间的单侧哺乳可能导致乳汁分泌下降过多。(多数乳汁过多的妈妈发现通过一些额外的吸奶可以很容易恢复足够的乳汁分泌。)

    如果你的乳汁分泌实在太旺盛,持续一段时间的每次只喂一侧的方法仍然不能降低乳量,你可能需要尝试一种更极其有组织的方法,它在开始的时候需要吸奶。在开始哺乳前约1小时把两侧的乳房彻底吸空,让他们变软。然后持续几次哺乳都用同一侧乳房,直到该侧乳房完全柔软舒适而另一侧乳房开始感到无法忍受的胀满。当你感 觉胀到无法忍受,换到另一侧乳房哺乳,直到感到之前一侧乳房胀得无法忍受。一天中可能需要第二次把两侧的乳汁吸出,既为舒适也为避免乳管阻塞。之后的几天里,继续用同一次乳房哺乳,直到另一侧胀满。这会让宝宝在换到另一侧乳房前几个小时内都吃一侧乳房。当你的身体产生了“乳汁太多”的信息,它就会降低乳汁分泌的速度,就逐渐不需要吸奶了。

    如果做了这些尝试后,哺乳状况还是没有明显改善,那可能就需要采取更有力的调整乳汁分泌的办法了。国际母乳会的指导会跟你和你的医生分享药物或草药信息来帮助你解决乳汁过多的问题。有时候4至7天的含有雌激素和孕激素的低剂量口服避孕药可能会被用于把乳汁量降到一个更合适的水平。鼠尾草茶帮一些妈妈减少了乳汁,就像传统用的伪麻黄碱(Sudafed, Halofed, Novafed)一样。有些妈妈还发现薄荷及含有薄荷、薄荷茶、鼠尾草和百里香的止咳药有助于减少乳汁产量,虽然对于问题比较严重的妈妈来说可能会服用大量的止咳药。

    减少喷乳的方法

    当一个妈妈分泌大量的乳汁时,她的喷乳反射比较强烈。所有涌出的乳汁可能令宝宝难以招架。这就好像试图躺着从一个开到最大的水龙头连接的橡胶软管喝水一样。当乳汁涌出时,除了窒息、呕吐、咳嗽以外,宝宝可能还会通过拉扯乳头和浅衔接来控制乳汁流量。浅衔接对于妈妈来说可能非常疼痛。或者宝宝可能只是为了减慢流量而夹住乳头,产生“咬”的感觉。宝宝还可能尖叫和挺直后背来让你知道需要改变什么。

    有时会建议乳汁过多或喷乳强烈(射乳反射)的妈妈在哺乳前手工挤出或吸出一盎司左右的乳汁来减慢乳汁流速。然而,这种办法常常达不到目的,因为排出这些乳汁会刺激乳汁分泌的增加,从而更增加乳汁的流量。

    很多办法可以对付强烈喷乳而不增加乳汁分泌。把宝宝置于更竖直的位置,这样他的头部高于乳房,会使他在哺乳是更容易控制。或者调整你自己的姿势使自己向后斜靠,这样宝宝在衔接后几乎是在你的上面。这种姿势是乳汁不得不“向上”流,可以降低喷乳的强度。

    有些妈妈发现“剪刀式”持住乳晕,让乳头置于食指和中指之间,可以帮助限制乳汁流出。另一个办法是用手掌根部压住乳房侧面。(试着改变手的位置以避压迫乳管而不小心引起阻塞。)你也许还发现在宝宝刚睡醒时哺乳比较有效。他困的时候吸吮力比较弱。

    如果宝宝窒息/呕吐,让他放开乳头并让过多的乳汁喷到毛巾或者布上。当喷乳强度下降后再让他重新衔乳。

    许多乳汁过多的妈妈发现侧卧的姿势有利于顺利哺乳,因为乳汁水平地从乳房流出而没有重力的作用,宝宝可以让过多的乳汁从口中流出而不需要被迫咽下。(在你和宝宝身下垫个毛巾吸收多余的乳汁。)把一个卷起来的毯子放在宝宝背后让他不会从你旁边滚走。如果下次哺乳时你们仍然躺在一起并准备好了喂另一侧乳房,你可以把宝宝转到你身体的另一侧,这样另一个乳房挨着床,乳汁不会向下流而增加压力。

    你可能发现侧卧位有一点难以控制,躺下时也不容易衔乳。有时把乳头对着宝宝的鼻子会帮助他伸直脖子,在衔乳时他向上看着乳房。有些妈妈坐着时让宝宝衔乳,然后抱住正在吃奶的宝宝慢慢躺下侧卧。学会卧位哺乳的一个很大好处是在宝宝吃奶时你可以入睡。不要担心宝宝会呼吸困难;宝宝会选择需要空气更胜于食物。只要他的头附近没有枕头或毯子,他就会在吃完奶后自由移动头部。他会把头靠在你的乳房上,好像它是一个枕头。(有过大、像枕头一样乳房的妈妈要格外注意宝宝是否有足够空间移动头部。)更多关于侧卧哺乳信息查看 (forthcoming) Side-Lying FAQ。(即将出版)侧卧常见问题。

    有些宝宝用一次只吃一点、频繁开始和停止吃奶来对付妈妈的强烈喷乳。就像他们在慢慢享受一顿饭的几道菜一样。这样绝对可以;允许他们按照需求接近或离开乳房,保证宝宝每次吃同一侧乳房,这样他们才有机会吃到后奶。

    虽然乳头疼痛时很想拉长哺乳间隔,但在宝宝非常饥饿前哺乳可以防止他过于强烈的吸吮,这种吸吮不仅使乳头更痛,还会引起更严重的乳头损伤。过度强力的吸吮还会引起更强的喷乳,使哺乳更加困难。

    其他乳汁过多的问题

    乳汁过多会引起漏奶。如果你的乳房不合时宜地漏奶,用胳膊或手掌根部压住乳头几分钟。有些妈妈发现每隔三四个小时在乳头上喷洒冷水或用冰块轻擦乳头可以减轻漏奶。多数妈妈发现最初几个月过去后漏奶会明显减轻。

    虽然多数母乳喂养的宝宝无需太多拍嗝,但乳汁多的妈妈发现宝宝吃奶时吃进很多空气,也会由于过多的乳糖而容易产气。经常拍嗝会减少吞咽空气带来的问题。记得拍嗝后把宝宝放回最初那一侧的乳房而不是换到另一侧。

    当你正设法解决乳汁过多的问题,你可以联系国际母乳会的哺乳辅导,来寻求帮助,从而解决这个令人困扰但不是不常见的哺乳问题。

    减少乳汁分泌和喷乳的方法小结

    • 每次哺乳只喂一侧乳房,之后两个小时内继续喂同一侧乳房,直到下一次完整哺乳
      • 如果必要,逐渐延长同一侧哺乳时间
      • 如果这个方法无效,尝试充分吸空乳房然后用一侧乳房哺乳,直到另一侧胀得无法忍受(详述见上文)
    • 如果另一侧乳房在你准备哺乳前胀得无法忍受,吸出或手工挤出乳汁一小会儿来缓解压力
      • 用冷的新鲜卷心菜叶或一袋冻豌豆缓解不适和肿胀(更多建议见 Engorgement FAQ  涨奶常见问题 )
    • 在宝宝过度饥饿前哺乳来减轻过强吸吮
    • 尝试改变哺乳姿势
      • 妈妈尽量向后斜靠
      • 侧卧(让乳汁细流出)
    • 剪刀式夹住或手的一侧压住乳管来减弱喷乳强度
    • 如果宝宝窒息或喷溅乳汁,让他松开乳头,让过多的乳汁喷到毛巾或者布上
    • 允许宝宝自由地接近或离开乳房
    • 如果宝宝胀气则经常拍嗝
    • 正确使用某些草药或药物可能会帮助减少乳汁

    by Diana West, BA, IBCLC, co-author with Lisa Marasco of The Breastfeeding Mother‘‘s Guide to Making More Milk (McGraw-Hill, December 2008) and Elliot Hirsch of Breastfeeding After Breast and Nipple Procedures (Hale Publishing, July 2008), and author of The Clinician‘‘s Breastfeeding Triage Tool(International Lactation Consultants Association, 2006) and DEFINING YOUR OWN SUCCESS: BREASTFEEDING AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY (LLLI, 2001).

    References

    [1] Livingstone, V. Too much of a good thing. Maternal and infant hyperlactation syndromes. Can Fam Physician 1996 Jan; 42:89-99.

    [2] Smillie, C., Campbell, S., Iwinski, S. Hyperlactation: How left-brained “rules” for breastfeeding can wreak havoc with a natural process. Newborn Infant Nursing Rev 2005; 5(1):49-58.

    [3] Newton, M. and Newton, N. The let-down reflex in human lactation. Pediatrics 1948; 33:69-87.

     

    Am I making too much milk?

    Sometimes a mother can make more milk than her baby needs. While having too much milk may seem like a good problem to have, the rush of milk from an overfull breast can make feedings stressful and uncomfortable for both mother and baby. Babies can also be very fussy in between feedings when there is too much milk.

    Most babies whose mothers have too much milk gain weight much faster than normal and have many more wet and soiled diapers than normal each day. (See How can I tell if my baby is getting enough milk? for information on normal weight gain and diaper output.) Higher than normal weight gain is absolutely fine for an exclusively breastfed baby as long as he is generally happy and feeding easily. It is only a problem when either the baby or his mother experiences difficulties as a result of having too much milk.

    Some babies whose mothers have too much milk actually do not get enough milk because they have trouble handling the strong flow and can‘‘t breastfeed easily. These babies need supplementary feedings (preferably with their mothers‘‘ expressed milk) until their mothers‘‘ milk supply can be adjusted to better meet their needs.

    When a mother has more milk than her baby can handle, the following behaviors may be common:

    • Baby cries a lot, and is often very irritable and/or restless
    • Baby may sometimes gulp, choke, sputter, or cough during feedings at breast
    • Baby may seem to bite or clamp down on the nipple while feeding
      • Milk sprays when baby comes off, especially at the beginning of a feeding
    • Mother may have sore nipples
    • Baby may arch and hold himself very stiffly, sometimes screaming
    • Feedings often seem like battles, with baby nursing fitfully on and off
    • Feedings may be short, lasting only 5 or 10 minutes total
    • Baby may seem to have a “love-hate” relationship with the breast
    • Baby may burp or pass gas frequently between feedings, tending to spit up a lot
    • Baby may have green, watery or foamy, explosive stools
    • Mother‘‘s breasts feel very full most of the time
    • Mother may have frequent plugged ducts, which can sometimes lead to mastitis (breast infection)

    If many of these experiences seem familiar to you, it may be because you have an overabundant supply of milk, which can cause a forceful milk ejection (sometimes referred to as overactive let-down), and/orforemilk-hindmilk imbalance.[1][2] The infant behaviors described above are caused by these issues but may frequently be misdiagnosed as colic, lactose intolerance, milk protein allergy, reflux, or hypertonicity (stiff muscle tone).

    If you are experiencing oversupply, a forceful milk ejection, or foremilk-hindmilk imbalance, the strategies described below may greatly improve your breastfeeding experience. Fortunately, many mothers find that oversupply naturally adjusts to a more manageable level by the end of baby‘‘s third month.

    Why Does Oversupply Happen?

    There are several reasons why a mother may produce too much milk. Some mother‘‘s bodies are very enthusiastic and they seem to overproduce milk from the very beginning. In other cases, the oversupply may result from following breastfeeding management advice that unintentionally increased milk production. This is especially likely to happen if a mother routinely pumps a significant amount of milk before nursing to slow down the flow in order to make it more manageable for baby. She may accomplish the immediate goal, but end up with a chronic problem as a result. Another cause can be routinely switching baby to the other breast before he has finished the first breast. This can happen when mothers feed only a certain amount of time on each breast or when they are trying to find a side that the baby doesn‘‘t fuss on. Some mothers‘‘ breasts are highly sensitive to stimulation, and switching back and forth without ever draining a breast well can result in production of too much milk in both breasts.

    Oversupply problems are frequently created by cultural beliefs about how breastfeeding should happen, which mothers read in books and online, or hear from well-meaning friends, family, or health care providers. A mother may have been told she must nurse a certain number of minutes on each side or that baby must take both breasts at every feeding. Yet, for the mother with an abundant supply, baby may naturally fill up so fast on one breast that she finds herself cutting him off very early in order to get him to still accept the second breast. He is taken off the breast before he gets to the creamier milk, and then fills up on foremilk from the second breast. Large feedings of lower calorie foremilk create a self-perpetuating cycle: baby‘‘s tummy feels distended and uncomfortable from the feeding, yet he still feels hungry because he did not get enough milk fat to satisfy him. So baby cries to feed again, and mother concludes that he must not be getting enough milk because he never seems content.

    A further problem may also result from this unintentional mismanagement. Foremilk is high in lactose, a normal and necessary milk sugar that in large volumes causes gassiness and discomfort, frequently with green, watery or foamy stools. Over a period of time, undigested lactose can irritate the lining of the intestines, causing temporary secondary lactose intolerance and possibly small amounts of bleeding into stools that can be misdiagnosed as a food allergy. Adjusting breastfeeding to increase the amount of fat the baby receives (“finishing” the breast before switching) usually corrects the problem. For a more thorough discussion of foremilk, hindmilk, and lactose, see our Foremilk, Hindmilk, and Lactose FAQ.

    Strategies to Slow Down the Rate of Milk Production

    Changing the way you feed your baby can reduce both the overall milk volume and the amount of lactose baby receives, while increasing the amount of fat. Since mothers with oversupply often produce enough milk in each breast for a full feeding, one strategy that can be very successful is to feed the baby on only one side per feeding. If your baby wants to nurse again within two hours, see how he responds if you continue to offer that same side. In the next two hours, offer only the other breast. The breasts should gradually slow down their rate of milk production because milk is being removed less often. This helps down-regulate the milk production rate to match baby‘‘s true needs while also reducing the amount of foremilk and lactose baby receives.[3] When you keep baby at the same breast for a longer period of time, it also ensures that your baby is fully draining the breast and getting more of the higher calorie hindmilk.

    If you are uncomfortable on the breast that is not being used before you are ready to nurse on it again, you can hand express or pump for only a few moments (20-30 seconds or less), just enough to relieve some discomfort. Do not pump too much or you will signal your breasts to produce even more milk. There is a certain whey protein in the milk, called “Feedback Inhibitor of Lactation” (FIL), that begins to build up and concentrate when milk is not removed for a while. This protein needs to be allowed to build up high enough to trigger the breast to cut back milk production. By removing just barely enough milk to be comfortable, but still allowing the breast to be full enough to trigger the “cut back milk production” message, most mothers can decrease milk production without risking plugged ducts or a breast infection. Many mothers find that cold compresses — chilled raw green cabbage leaves or a bag of frozen peas — help ease the discomfort and reduce swelling from being overly full.

    You will know the strategy of feeding only on one side for extended periods is working when your baby becomes less fussy and seems more satisfied between feedings, and his stool becomes less watery and more yellow. He will also gulp, choke, and sputter less during feedings, because the milk is not flowing as fast.

    If you find that your baby is still having difficulty after four to seven days of feeding only on one breast per feeding, you may need to breastfeed on just one breast for a longer period of time (two or three feedings or even longer) in order to decrease your milk production further. Some mothers with extreme oversupply may need to feed only on one breast for as long as 12 hours. It is best to extend the time on one breast very slowly and carefully, going longer only if milk production is not slowing down. Feeding on one side for too long could lead to decreasing milk production too much. (Most mothers with oversupply find that it is easy to regain adequate milk production with a few additional pumping sessions.)

    If you have very enthusiastic breasts and the strategy of feeding on only one side for extended periods is not taming them yet, you may need to try a more extreme structured approach that initially does include some pumping. Start by pumping both sides thoroughly so that your breasts are fairly soft about an hour before a feeding. Then feed on one breast for several feedings until that breast is completely soft and comfortable and the other breast starts to feel unbearably full. When you feel unbearably full, switch sides and feed on the second breast until the first breast starts to feel unbearably full. It may be necessary to pump both sides a second time during the day, both for comfort and to ward off plugged ducts. For the next several days, continue to feed on one breast until the other one feels overfull. This will result in keeping baby to one side for several hours before switching to the other side. As your body is allowed to get the “overfull” message, it will respond by slowing the rate of milk production, and pumping should gradually become unnecessary.

    If after trying these techniques, feedings do not improve significantly, it may be necessary to take stronger measures to regulate your milk production downward. An LLL Leader can share information with you and your doctor to help manage oversupply using medications and herbs. In certain situations, a four- to seven-day course of low-dose oral contraceptive pills, containing both estrogen and progesterone, may be used to reduce milk production to a more appropriate level. Sage tea has helped some mothers in reducing milk production, as has the conservative use of pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Halofed, Novafed). Some mothers have also found that mints and cough drops containing peppermint, peppermint tea, sage, and thyme help to reduce milk production, though it would take a lot of cough drops to make a difference in a mother who has a severe problem.

    Strategies to Reduce Milk Ejection Force

    When a mother produces a large volume of milk, her milk ejection reflex will be stronger. All that milk rushing down the ducts may be more than baby can handle. It‘‘s like trying to drink from a garden hose that is turned on full-blast, while lying down on your back. In addition to choking, sputtering, and coughing when the milk comes out, baby may try to control the milk flow by pulling away and adapting a shallow latch. Shallow latching can be very painful for a mother. Or he may simply clamp down in an attempt to slow the flow, resulting in a “biting” sensation. Baby may also scream and arch his back to let you know that something needs to be changed.

    It is sometimes recommended that mothers who have oversupply or an overactive milk ejection (let-down) hand-express or pump an ounce or so of milk prior to feeding to help slow the milk flow. However, this practice tends to be counterproductive, because removing that much milk from the breasts increases milk production, which in turn will increase the force of flow even more.

    There are many strategies that can help manage a forceful milk ejection without increasing milk production. Placing the baby in a more upright position, so that his head is higher than the breast, will allow him more control during the feeding. Or position yourself so that you are leaning backwards, with the baby almost on top of you after he latches. In this position the milk has to flow “uphill,” which will reduce the force of your milk ejection reflex.

    Some mothers find that a “scissors” hold on the areola, with the nipple between the forefinger and middle finger, helps restrict the flow of milk. Another option is to apply pressure on the side of your breast with the heel of your hand. (Try to vary the position of your hand to avoid constricting the ducts and inadvertently causing a plug.) You may also find it helpful to breastfeed just as your baby is waking from naps. He will suck more gently when he is still sleepy.

    If baby starts to choke/sputter, unlatch him and let the excess milk spray into a towel or cloth. Relatch him when the force of the milk ejection has lessened.

    Many mothers with oversupply find that nursing in a side-lying position makes feedings go more smoothly because milk flows from the breast horizontally without the force of gravity and babies can let excess milk dribble downward from their mouths rather than having to swallow it all. (Place a towel under you and baby to absorb the extra milk.) Use a rolled-up receiving blanket against your baby‘‘s back to keep him from rolling away from you. If you are still lying down together at the next feeding and are ready to offer the other breast, you can just roll with your baby onto your other side, so that the second breast is against the bed and not flowing downhill with increasing force.

    You may find that the side-lying position is somewhat difficult to master and that it is not as easy to get a good latch when lying down. Sometimes it helps to place baby with nipple pointing at his nose so that his neck is extended and he is looking up toward the breast as he latches. Some mothers latch baby onto the breast while sitting up and then slowly slide down into a side-lying position while holding baby gently but firmly so he stays attached. One great benefit of learning to nurse lying down is that you can drift off to sleep while your baby nurses. Don‘‘t worry that your baby will have difficulty breathing; babies choose air over food. So long as there are no pillows or blankets around his head, he will be able to move his head freely when he is finished nursing. He may rest his head against your breast as if it were a pillow. (Note that mothers with very large, pillowy breasts need to take special care that baby has room to move his head.) For more information about the side-lying position, see our (forthcoming) Side-Lying FAQ.

    Some babies cope with their mothers‘‘ strong milk ejection by taking only a little milk at a time, stopping and starting frequently. It is almost as if they are enjoying several courses to their meal. This is absolutely fine; allow him to come on and off the breast as he needs to, making sure to keep offering your baby the same breast for each course so that he has the opportunity to get the cream.

    Although it can be tempting to stretch out feedings when your nipples are sore, feeding baby before he gets extremely hungry will keep him from sucking too aggressively, which not only hurts when nipples are already sore, but can cause further nipple damage. An overly strong suck can also cause a stronger milk ejection, making the feeding more difficult.

    Other Oversupply Problems

    Oversupply can contribute to leaking. When your breasts leak at inopportune moments, apply pressure to the nipples by pressing your arms or the heels of your hands tightly against your chest for a few minutes. Some mothers find that splashing cold water on nipples or rubbing them gently with ice every three to four hours is helpful in reducing leaking.[3] Other mothers have benefited from the use of commercial products that are designed to reduce leaking. Most mothers find that leaking subsides significantly after the first few months.

    Although most breastfed babies do not need much burping, mothers who make large volumes of milk find that their babies take in more air while feeding and are gassy from the excess lactose. Frequent burping will minimize problems from swallowed air. Remember to bring baby back to the first breast rather than switching sides after burping.

    As you work to manage oversupply, don‘‘t hesitate to contact an LLL Leader for help in solving this frustrating but not uncommon nursing problem.

    Summary of Strategies to Reduce Rate of Milk Production and Force of Milk Ejection

    • Nurse on one side for a each feeding, continuing to offer that same side for at least two hours until the next full feeding
      • Gradually increase the length of time feeding from one breast if necessary
      • If this strategy is not effective, try the method of throughly pumping breasts and then feeding on one breast until unbearably full (described in detail above)
    • If the other breast feels unbearably full before you are ready to nurse on it, pump or hand express for a few moments to relieve some of the pressure
    • Use cold raw green cabbage leaves or a bag of frozen peas to reduce discomfort and swelling
    • Feed baby before he becomes overly hungry to minimize aggressive sucking
    • Try alternate nursing positions
    • Mother leaning far back
      • Side-lying (letting milk dribble out)
      • Use scissors hold or the side of your hand to compress ducts to reduce the force of the milk ejection
      • If baby chokes or sputters, unlatch him and let the excess milk spray into a towel or cloth
    • Allow baby to come on and off the breast at will
    • Burp frequently if baby is gassy
    • Certain herbs and drugs, used judiciously, may be helpful in reducing milk production
    • by Diana West, BA, IBCLC, co-author with Lisa Marasco of The Breastfeeding Mother‘‘s Guide to Making More Milk (McGraw-Hill, December 2008) and Elliot Hirsch of Breastfeeding After Breast and Nipple Procedures (Hale Publishing, July 2008), and author of The Clinician‘‘s Breastfeeding Triage Tool(International Lactation Consultants Association, 2006) and DEFINING YOUR OWN SUCCESS: BREASTFEEDING AFTER BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY (LLLI, 2001).

      References

      [1] Livingstone, V. Too much of a good thing. Maternal and infant hyperlactation syndromes. Can Fam Physician 1996 Jan; 42:89-99.

      [2] Smillie, C., Campbell, S., Iwinski, S. Hyperlactation: How left-brained “rules” for breastfeeding can wreak havoc with a natural process. Newborn Infant Nursing Rev 2005; 5(1):49-58.

      [3] Newton, M. and Newton, N. The let-down reflex in human lactation. Pediatrics 1948; 33:69-87.

  • 如何提高母乳分泌量?How to increase my milk supply?

    如何提高母乳分泌量?How to increase my milk supply?

    母乳喂养有三大要素:乳房、宝宝和大脑。

    要提高母乳分泌量,就要让这三大要素充分发挥作用:除了需要宝宝更多的吸吮刺激(勤哺乳),您的大脑也需要适当调整——将哺乳视为头等大事,这样宝宝和乳房才能合力制造出更多的乳汁。

    具体方法有:

    1.增加喂奶次数,至少两个小时一次。对于爱睡觉的宝宝,妈妈需要更积极主动的给宝宝提供吃奶的机会。

    2.延长喂奶时间,左右交替喂养,等宝宝吃完一侧再换另外一侧。这样宝宝可以吃到喷乳反射后的高脂肪奶。

    3.充分休息,这样有利于制造出更多的乳汁。

    4.不使用安抚奶嘴和奶瓶。因为配方奶会扰乱您和宝宝之间的供求平衡关系,用安抚奶嘴来满足宝宝的吸吮需求,同样也会影响哺乳。

    5.想象喷乳反射,喂奶的时候,与宝宝之间保持大量的肌肤接触,轻抚宝宝,有助于喷乳反射的发生。

    6.寻求帮助。联系当地的国际母乳会哺乳辅导或是专业的泌乳顾问,向他们请教如何增加泌乳量。

    另外,树立信心也很重要。特别是第一次当妈妈,什么都不知道,很容易听到一些消极的话而受到影响。所以要不断鼓励自己,同时也需要鼓励的环境,找到能支持你的人,不管是家人还是其他的哺乳妈妈,缺乏信心的时候她们可以给你打气。

    越紧张越担心奶不够,你产乳的荷尔蒙还真有可能被这种紧张的荷尔蒙压下去。

    这是一个很好的提醒,对于所有的家人都可以多跟妈妈说鼓励的话:你一定可以的,你的母乳够,你的奶真好,是宝宝最完美的食物,那妈妈的信心就上来了,就没有问题。

    (本文根据对 Ivy Makelin 的采访内容整理)

  • 混合喂养怎么提高母乳量?When mixed feeding, how do I increase my milk supply?

    混合喂养怎么提高母乳量?When mixed feeding, how do I increase my milk supply?

    网友:宝宝出生46天母乳不足,只有大约三分之一的量,宝宝不爱吃奶粉,我是该继续混合喂养还是该只喂配方奶粉?如果混合喂养怎么能让宝宝吃饱?

    周宗蓓:这个妈妈一直在坚持母乳喂养,这种毅力值得钦佩!不过三分之一的这个量是怎么判断出来的呢,乳房上面并没有刻度。这里可能有一点虚的判断在里面,比如喂完母乳又喂奶瓶觉得孩子吃那么多奶粉可能自己的母乳不够。

    如果这位妈妈想坚持母乳喂养,我非常鼓励她继续努力。我们要了解她一天喂几次,能不能提高喂的次数。哪怕现在只是三分之一,一天只喂两三次,可以提高成10、12、14次,最好可以花几天时间或者一周时间整天陪着孩子,孩子什么时候想吃,不管半小时还是一个小时,就让孩子吃,这样坚持几天下来,也许奶量就会明显地多起来。

    判断孩子有没有吃饱还可以观察孩子的尿布和体重增长情况。我不建议奶粉一下完全停掉,如果妈妈喂的配方奶不少的话,一下子断掉配方奶可能太快了。首先可以把母乳次数提高到10、12、14次/天,第一次减少20-30毫升,过两三天再继续减少一部分,这些不能说得太标准,每个人的情况不一样。一两天,两三天再减少一点,慢慢把奶粉减掉,母乳量自然会提高上去。妈妈也要注意孩子的尿布情况,是不是能达到正常的标准。如果超过了这些标准,可以奶粉稍微减的快一些,自己能判断出来。通过这样的追奶的过程,是可以逐步实现全母乳喂养的,妈妈要对此充满信心。

    其实国外有一些女人是没有怀孕,也没有生过孩子的,可是她们想要母乳喂养她们收养的婴儿。她们就会提前两个月天天用双泵电动吸奶器挤几次,同时也有的配合其他一些方法,几周后奶就出来了,在这个基础上继续坚持每天用挤奶器,这样做的成果就是这些没有怀孕没有生过孩子的女人就可以给她们收养的孩子哺乳。妈妈们不管现在的情况怎么样,如果想要恢复母乳喂养完全是可以的,不管你现在是部分母乳还是已经停母乳了一段时间,都可以恢复母乳喂养,你的身体有这个本能,有这些信息和方法你就知道怎么做了。

  • 对乳汁分泌量的担忧 Increasing Your Milk

    对乳汁分泌量的担忧 Increasing Your Milk

    世界上很多地方的母亲都相信自己有能力为宝宝提供充足的母乳,事实也确实如此。在她们成长的环境里,母乳喂养是件习以为常的事情,因此她们都了解母乳喂养会出现什么情况以及如何有效应对这些情形。

    在母乳喂养并不普及的地方,母亲对自己的乳汁分泌量心存疑虑是她们提早给孩子断奶的常见原因之一。当一个总是耳濡目染奶瓶喂养的母亲开始母乳喂养后,她可能会因为看不到宝宝到底摄取了多少乳汁而顾虑重重。母乳宝宝的吃奶规律跟她所熟知的奶瓶喂养的孩子不同也会让她产生疑虑。当身边不熟悉母乳喂养常识的人对其喂养方式表示怀疑时,母亲也可能因此而动摇对自己的信心。美国一项研究表明:担心自己乳量不足的母亲跟不为此担忧的母亲相比,两者分泌的乳量没有差别。两组母亲所喂哺的宝宝都能健康成长。

    了解母乳的分泌原理,掌握怎样才能知道宝宝是否得到足够的母乳,会有助于您做出良好的母乳喂养决策,同时也帮助您解答母乳是否充足的种种疑问。

    母乳分泌的原理

    首先,要经常并彻底地排空乳房。大家都同意,宝宝出生数周之内,经常并彻底地排空乳房是建立良好乳汁分泌量的关键,宝宝吸吮或采用有效的挤奶方式都可以排空乳房。在这段时间里,每天哺喂宝宝8—12次为宜。 使用吸奶器的母亲每天应安排吸奶8—12次,每天吸取的奶量应不少于750—900m毫升(25—30盎司)。

    乳房排空后产奶更快。初期,产后荷尔蒙对母乳分泌能起一定作用,但几天之后乳汁分泌量主要取决于乳汁的排空程度。 澳大利亚最新研究发现:宝宝或吸奶器吸奶越彻底,乳房产奶速度越快。

    充盈的乳房使乳汁分泌放缓,反之亦然。乳房越充盈,乳汁分泌越缓慢。一些用吸奶器的母亲误以为偶尔大幅削减挤奶次数没关系,因为她们发现少挤了几次奶却照样可以挤出同量的乳汁。但是,日子久了,随着乳房充盈时间的拉长,她们的乳汁分泌量会逐渐减少。

    下奶的感觉是必不可少的。宝宝吸吮乳头导致催产素释放出来。催产素使乳腺周围的组织收缩,进而挤压乳汁,随后乳汁随导管流入乳头以供宝宝吸吮。这就是喷奶反射,俗称“下奶”。下奶时一些母亲有麻酥酥或乳房收紧的感觉,而有些母亲即便下奶反射正在发生却对此毫无察觉。多数母亲每次喂奶时会出现数次喷奶反射。

    乳房的储存能力

    乳汁储存上的个体差异在很大程度上会影响吃奶规律。母亲储奶量大,孩子每顿吃得就多一些,每天吃奶次数则少一些。如果母亲的储奶量相对较少,孩子仍然可以得到足够的乳汁,但每天需要多吃几次才能既让宝宝高兴,又保证妈妈奶量的充盈。

    宝宝是否吃够了?

    宝宝出生的头几天吃奶次数频繁,吃的时间也长,这有助于母亲尽快分泌更多的乳汁。初生婴儿胃口小,初乳正好能够满足他们的需求。他们每天只尿湿一到两只尿片,并排出黑色、膏状的胎粪。 乳汁分泌量从第三、四天开始增加时,只要宝宝符合下面所列举的几点,您就可确信宝宝吃够了。

    宝宝的体重平均每周增加170克(六盎司),或者平均每月增加680克( 1.5磅)。

    记住,多数婴孩在出生三、四天后体重有所减轻。因此,宝宝第一次体检时,计算宝宝的体重要以他/她最轻时的体重,而不是出生时体重为基数。

    体重测量间隔期间,可在家观察下述几个指标:

    宝宝每24小时吃奶至少8—12次。如果宝宝的体重增长正常的话,喂养次数少于上述标准也无大碍。

    宝宝每天尿湿五到六只尿片,排便三到四次,每次的量像25美分(2.5公分)硬币那样大小或者更多。宝宝六周后,只要其体重增长正常,排便次数少些也不成问题。

    错误的警讯

    由于很多母亲不熟悉正常的母乳喂养是什么样,有些母亲本来奶水充足,却担心自己乳量不足。只要宝宝体重增长正常,下述种种“错误的警讯”情形不代表您的乳汁分泌量出现问题:

    宝宝频繁吃奶:尤其是在最初六周内,宝宝“集中吃奶”或在一天的某个时间段内(通常为傍晚时分)把几顿奶并在一起吃,这很正常。在“集中吃奶”期间,宝宝也许每一小时甚至每半小时就要吃一次奶。宝宝进入“猛长期”时,吃奶次数增加也是正常的(请参照下一点)。记住:宝宝频繁吃奶是保证他摄取足够乳汁的最佳方式,而不代表着乳汁不足。

    宝宝突然增加吃奶次数以及/或者拉长吃奶时间:进入“猛长期”的宝宝出现这种情形是正常的。宝宝在出生后二到三周,第六周以及三个月大时会经历 “猛长期”。

    刚吃过奶的宝宝好象又饿了:新生儿的胃口很小,尤其是刚出生的头六周,出现这种情况很正常。与其关注宝宝每次吃奶的间隔时长短,不如把注意力放在了解宝宝一天吃奶的次数上。 对多数新生儿来说,每24小时吃奶8—12次是最理想的。

    宝宝的吃奶习惯,体重增加和睡眠规律有别于您所认识的其他宝宝:每个母亲和每个宝宝都是独特的个体,所谓正常的范围也包含巨大的差异。

    宝宝吃奶时间突然缩短,也许减少到每边乳房只吃5—10分钟:随着宝宝的长大,他/她能够更快、更有效地排空乳房,吸吮母乳所需时间更少了。只要他/她的体重增长正常就一切太平。

    宝宝很烦躁:许多宝宝都会在每天的某一时间段内,通常是同一时间段内比较烦躁。有些宝宝一天中的大部分时光都很烦躁。 许多母亲担心这是因为宝宝没有得到足够的乳汁。 但有些宝宝不管怎么喂都显得烦躁。往往是那些安静、随和的宝宝吃奶间隔更长,吃奶更少,体重增长缓慢。

    您的乳房只有少许漏奶或根本不漏奶:漏奶与否与您的乳汁分泌量毫无关联。常漏奶的母亲们发现,一旦她们的乳量趋于稳定,漏奶问题就自行解决了。

    您的乳房突然显得较以前松软了:随着最初乳房充盈现象的消失,几乎所有的母亲都会经历上述情形。这通常发生在产后三到四周。

    您从来没有喷奶反射的感觉,或者喷奶反射感觉不如以前强烈:有些母亲从来就感觉不到喷奶反射,有些母亲发现喷奶反射的感觉随着时间的推移变得不那么强烈。这些都不影响母亲的乳汁分泌量。

    您挤不出多少奶:您挤出的乳汁跟您的母乳供应量也许毫无关联。 挤奶是需要学习的一项技能,加强练习并掌握喷奶反射要领后,您通常能挤出更多的奶。挤奶多少也可能跟您所选用的吸奶器有关。 有些牌子的吸奶器比其它的牌子要好用一些。

    宝宝吃奶后还要奶瓶:很多宝宝即使吃饱了还吸奶瓶,因为他们就喜欢吸吮。 这不能说明宝宝没吃够母乳。

    比较宝宝哺乳前后的体重,发现宝宝似乎没长分量: 只有高精确度的电子秤称出的体重才可靠。不那么精确的秤无法让您确知宝宝体重的变化。

    当您的担心确有其事时

    如果宝宝体重增长不好,找出具体原因很重要。 下述因素可能是导致乳量不足的原因或部分原因。

    喂养次数过少:嗜睡的宝宝因睡觉而每天吃奶次数不足8-12次时就会出现这种情况。 吃了附加食物的孩子也会出现这种现象,因为他们的肚子让添加食品填饱了,吃奶次数相应就少了。 按时喂养也会导致奶量不足,因为这种做法防碍了建立良好的乳汁分泌量,或者在宝宝“猛长期”时防碍奶量的增长。

    低效的母乳喂养:喂奶时乳房没排空会导致乳汁分泌量下降。 如果宝宝总是没吃多久就睡着了、或者衔乳姿势不正确、或者宝宝经历了分娩困难或身体原因导致进食不好时(参照最后一点),就会出现低效哺乳。挤奶的母亲如果方法不当,或吸奶器质量不够好,或没正确使用好的吸奶器也会遇到上述问题。

    限制喂奶时长:喂奶过程中,乳汁中的脂肪含量是逐渐升高的。 如果宝宝常常没吃多久就睡着,母亲习惯性地中断孩子的进食,或者哺乳时换侧过快,宝宝就未能摄取多少能助长体重的高脂肪高热量的“后奶”。

    限制宝宝只吃一侧的乳房:如果按需进食,多数宝宝有几顿只吸一侧的乳房就够了,而其它几顿则两侧都要吸。如果您设立“一顿只吃一边”的规定,就可能不会为宝宝提供足够的乳汁,也不会为您的乳房提供充足的刺激。

    定期使用安抚奶嘴: 安抚奶嘴,即橡皮奶头,掩盖了宝宝向您发出的进食信号。 安抚奶嘴可以使宝宝较长时间保持快乐,拉长吃奶的间隔,从而使每天吃奶的次数减少了。 宝宝出生后第一个月就用安抚奶嘴与其不能正确掌握吸吮方法也有关联。

    乳头护罩使用不当:乳头护罩可以作为解决某些乳母喂养问题的有效工具。 如果乳头护罩应用有效,就没必要在宝宝还没准备好之前戒断它。 但宝宝体重增长有问题时,您需要去寻求帮助。 这也许是因为宝宝乳头护罩含入方式不当,或者是因为乳头护罩不合适,或者是宝宝吸吮有问题。

    您的健康状况:有些情况下,宝宝吸吮很好,吃的也频繁,但母亲仍然不能生产足够的乳汁,您应该检查身体是否有问题。 您是否服用了影响乳汁分泌的药物?您贫血吗? 您是否有甲亢、做过乳房手术或乳房损伤过、有过大出血或荷尔蒙失调等病史?体内是否存留有部分胎盘?您是否在严格地节食?您是否怀孕了?

    宝宝的健康状况:身体方面的某些原因会影响宝宝的吸吮质量和体重增长。比如宝宝受到感染、舌系带过短、唇鄂裂、唐氏综合症、未经治疗的胃食管反流、心脏疾病、神经方面的问题、囊肿性纤维化,甲状腺功能低下、肾病、肠道吸收不良、肠梗阻或寄生虫病。

    解决问题之道

    无论什么原因,如果您的乳汁分泌量出现问题,您都可以采取积极措施来提高奶量。

    寻求帮助: 如果您担心乳汁分泌量,请与国际母乳会哺乳辅导(www.lalecheleague.org)取得联系,您也可以咨询其他有经验的哺乳顾问(www.ILCA.org)。她们可以更好地帮助您分析您所面临的具体问题。

    如果您的宝宝体重增长缓慢或者出现体重下降,您应该与宝宝的医生保持紧密联系。多数情况下,只要改善喂养技巧及喂养方式,问题就可以迅速地得到解决。 但排除健康方面的因素也很重要。

    勤喂养:每24小时至少应安排喂奶8—12次。如果宝宝吸吮积极、得力而又乐此不疲时,可相应增加次数。

    确保宝宝的衔乳姿势正确: 衔乳姿势不当会减少宝宝从乳房所摄取的乳量。 宝宝去含乳房时,应张大嘴,身子贴近母亲,下颌尽量远离乳头。 宝宝含入乳房越深,他/她的吸吮就能获取越多的乳汁。 有可能的话,请个有经验的哺乳辅导核对一下您的方法是否正确。

    尝试乳房挤压法:宝宝正确地衔上乳房后,挤压乳房可延长宝宝积极吸吮的时间。 方法如下:用一只手支撑乳房,即拇指放在一边,另外四指放在另一边上,注意观察宝宝。 如果宝宝在努力吃奶,您就不必有所行动(宝宝的下巴至耳根周围都处在运动之中)。当宝宝不再积极吸吮时,轻轻地挤压乳房并保持挤压状态。 奶流加快后,宝宝又会重新开始积极吸吮。 坚持挤压乳房不要松手,直到宝宝不再积极吸吮为止。等您松手之后,宝宝也许会开始新一轮的积极吸吮。 如果这样,则等到宝宝吸吮停止之后再开始挤压。 否则,您可以把手指的位置绕着乳房稍稍调整后再次挤压。根据需要,您可以在乳房的不同位置重复上述动作,直到宝宝停止积极吸吮为止。 在这之后您可以将宝宝换到另一侧乳房喂奶。

    每顿奶两侧都喂到,喂完一侧才换另一侧:只要宝宝积极吸吮,您就不要急于将他/她换到另一侧乳房,除非他们自己主动松开乳房,或挤压乳房不能保持宝宝吸吮的积极性了。这样做可以确保母亲的乳房得到更彻底的排空,确保宝宝吸吮乳房的时间够长,以获取高脂肪的“后奶”,而后奶是帮助宝宝增长体重的。把宝宝换到另一侧乳房之前,可以先给他/她拍拍嗝,换换尿布。

    两侧乳房多次轮换着喂:每次喂养时,两侧乳房至少轮换着喂二到三次有助于更彻底地排空乳房,也能使宝宝每顿吃到更多的乳汁。

    喂奶后再挤奶:宝宝出生一个月之内,将乳房更彻底地排空似乎比频繁喂奶更能有效地提升奶量。如果您使用的是吸奶器,选用那种带有两个自动奶泵的吸奶器效果最佳。这种吸奶器每分钟吸、放40—60次。 吸奶次数根据每天实际情形来定,每次吸奶时,乳汁停止流出后还应再吸两分钟为宜。

    鼓励宝宝从乳房中获取所有的吸吮需求。避免使用安抚奶嘴。宝宝开始闹了,或想吸吮时,就把乳房给他/她。在您致力于增加奶量期间,如果您的宝宝一直以来是纯母乳喂养,医生也不认为宝宝存在什么问题,则避免使用配方奶粉、固体食物、果汁、水或任何其它补充物。如果宝宝每天配方奶的使用量超过二到三盎司的话,您可在乳汁分泌量增加的同时逐渐减少使用配方奶。 如果宝宝已超过六个月并已开始食用固体食物,应在喂母乳之后而不是之前给宝宝提供辅食。

    选择使用草药:尽管尚无相关的研究,很多母亲发现,服用推荐剂量的某些草药有助于产奶。一个久经考验的配方是每天三次服用葫芦巴胶囊(fenugreek),每次服三粒(每粒至少含500毫克剂量, 每天共服9粒)。经验表明:按正确剂量使用葫芦巴24到72小时后乳量会明显增加。

    葫芦巴(fenugreek)在美国已列入“公认安全草药”(GRAS)目录。很多母亲反映,使用葫芦巴后,她们的汗和尿液闻起来象枫叶糖浆。 有些母亲反映用药后有腹泻和过敏现象。一些患有哮喘的母亲反映她们的哮喘加重了。建议患有糖尿病的母亲要慎用此药,因为葫芦巴会使血糖降低。

    选择使用处方药:只要乳房能够经常地得到彻底排空,使用某些处方药品可帮助您增加乳量。

    其中常用的一种药就是多潘立酮(Domperidone, Motilium)。与其它药相比,其副作用较少,进入母乳的药物含量水平也低。多潘立酮为美国儿科协会批准的哺乳母亲用药。加拿大及世界其它地方均可购得上述用途的多潘立酮,但美国大多药店不出售此药。您可以联络国际母乳会哺乳辅导或理事会认证的哺乳辅导获取相关信息,以便和医生就获取该药物进行沟通。

    另一种用于增加乳汁分泌的常用药是灭吐灵(Reglan, Metoclopramide)。 研究发现产后第一个月使用本药效果最明显。 停药后,乳汁分泌可能下降,但通常不至于低到用药前的水平。药量逐渐减少时,乳量下降幅度较小。 灭吐灵可能出现的副作用是抑郁症。 如果您有抑郁症病史,则建议避免使用该药。

    好好照顾自己:除了一些极端个案之外,母亲节食和液体饮用的多寡似乎不影响母乳的产量。尽管如此,如果吃得好,睡得好,您就更有能力来应对出现的任何问题。

    留出几天的时间,尽量不做事情。取消不是非做不可的任务。充分利用所有人的帮忙。 尽可能多地跟宝宝一起打盹。为了放松,每天至少抽出几分钟时间做一些特别的事情放纵一下自己。

    读完这篇文章后,如果您还有什么问题或疑虑,请联络国际母乳会哺乳辅导或其它哺乳专家。记住,如果宝宝的体重没有增加的话,您需要带宝宝去看医生。

    一般情况下,通过国际母乳会的活动跟其他哺乳的母亲保持联络可以使您获得提高奶量所需要的支持和鼓励。您的健康、快乐的母乳宝宝不久将回报您所付出的一切努力。

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    在冠状病毒和其他呼吸道疾病感染威胁下持续哺乳你的宝宝Continuing to Nurse Your Baby Through Coronavirus (2019-nCoV; COVID-19) and Other Respiratory Infections

    News From LLLI

    19 February 20

    出现在新闻中的冠状病毒(COVID-19)疫情在全球迅速蔓延,目前可获得的信息有限。国际母乳会(LLLI)尊重国际卫生、医疗组织及其相关团体的努力,在跟进病毒传播情况,了解最新信息和指南。国际母乳会也将持续追踪此次全球卫生危机的发展。

    基于超过60年的母乳喂养支持经验,国际母乳会坚定地鼓励所有家庭,认识到母乳喂养为母乳宝宝提供免疫保护的重要性。在多数情况下,即使父母或其他家庭成员受到感染生病,母乳宝宝依然保持健康。越来越多的研究表明,婴儿可以从母乳中获得多种多样化的免疫蛋白(包括抗体),尤其是通过亲喂母乳这一方式。

    那些在距离宝宝出生时间较近的时间感染并在产后哺乳的妈妈,以及在哺乳期感染的妈妈,她们的乳汁中会产生特定的分泌型IgA抗体和许多其他关键的免疫因子,来保护婴儿并增强婴儿自身的免疫反应。此时,这些免疫因子将帮助婴儿的身体对暴露和感染做出更有效的反应。遵循良好的卫生习惯也将有助于减少病毒的传播。

    如果母乳妈妈生病,重要的是不要中断直接母乳喂养。由于母亲和/或家人的接触,婴儿已经暴露在该病毒环境下,继续直接母乳喂养将使婴儿获益最大。

    哺乳的中断可能导致以下几个问题:

    • 对哺乳期的婴儿或幼儿造成严重的情感创伤;
    • 由于无法亲喂,需要将乳汁挤出,导致奶量下降;
    • 由于引入奶瓶,婴儿日后拒绝乳房;
    • 由于缺乏直接母乳亲喂和在特定时间挤奶,无法匹配婴儿在特定时期的需求,而导致保护性免疫因子下降;
    • 由于缺乏直接母乳亲喂的免疫支持,增加婴儿生病的风险。
    • 最后一点至关重要:当一个家庭的任意一位成员已经暴露在病毒下时,婴儿也已经暴露了。因此,任何母乳喂养的中断,实际上可能会增加婴儿生病的风险,婴儿甚至会病得更重。

    鼓励任何认为自己可能患有冠状病毒病(COVID-19)的人遵循良好的卫生习惯,例如:彻底洗手并戴防护口罩以防止病毒传播。如果母亲病重到需要住院治疗,则应尽可能允许婴儿继续母乳哺喂,并牢记以上列出的任何分开或中断母乳哺喂可能导致的结果。在极端严峻的情况下,如果认为在医学上需要中断母乳哺喂,则建议用手挤奶或使用吸奶器挤奶。在这种情况下,可以将含有多种免疫因子的母奶喂给婴儿,以防止婴儿受到感染或在婴儿生病时帮助减少感染的严重程度和持续时间。

    世界卫生组织(WHO)在其网站上以多种语言提供有关冠状病毒的指南和其他信息。联合国儿童基金会(UNICEF)也提供有关冠状病毒病感染下进行哺乳的信息。附录中列出了相关链接。

    以上所有信息也适用于受到流感和其他呼吸道病毒感染威胁的家庭。

    英文原文链接 https://www.llli.org/coronavirus/

    REFERENCES

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC; 28 January 2020). About 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019 – nCoV). Accessed 29 January 2020 and 12 February 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC; 17 February 2020). Frequently Asked Questions and Answers: Coronavirus Disease2019 (COVID-19) and Pregnancy. Accessed 18 February 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/pregnancy-faq.html

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC; 15 February 2020). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Frequently AskedQuestions and Answers. Accessed 19 February 2020 from

    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

    Chen H, Guo J, Wang C, et al. Clinicalcharacteristics and intrauterine vertical transmission potential of COVID-19infection in nine pregnant women: a retrospective review of medical records.Lancet 2020; published online Feb 12 2020 at https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30360-3

    China National Health Commission.Transcript of Press Conference on Feb 7, 2020 in Chinese. Available at http://www.nhc.gov.cn/xcs/s3574/202002/5bc099fc9144445297e8776838e57ddc.shtml

    Lam, C.M., Wong, S.F., Leung, T.N., Chow,K.M., Yu, W.C., Wong, T.Y., Lai, S.T. and Ho, L.C. (2004), A case‐controlled study comparing clinical course and outcomes of pregnantand non‐pregnant women withsevere acute respiratory syndrome. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics& Gynaecology, 111: 771-774.

    Scientific American (12 February 2020).Disease Caused by the Novel Coronavirus Officially Has a Name: COVID-19. Accessed12 February 2020 from

    https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/disease-caused-by-the-novel-coronavirus-officially-has-a-name-covid-19/

    Shek CC, Ng PC, Fung GP, et al. Infantsborn to mothers with severe acute respiratory syndrome. Pediatrics 2003; 112:e254.

    UNICEF (February 2020). Coronavirus disease(COVID-19): What parents should know. Accessed 18 February 2020 fromhttps://www.unicef.org/stories/novel-coronavirus-outbreak-what-parents-should-know

    Wong SF, Chow KM, Leung TN, et al.Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of women with severe acute respiratorysyndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2004; 191: 292–97.

    World Health Organization (WHO; 20 January2020). Home care for patients with suspected novel coronavirus (nCoV) infectionpresenting with mild symptoms and management of contacts: Interim guidance 20January 2020. Accessed 29 January 2020 from https://www.who.int/publications-detail/home-care-for-patients-with-suspected-novel-coronavirus-(ncov)-infection-presenting-with-mild-symptoms-and-management-of-contacts

    World Health Organization (WHO, 2020).Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Accessed 12 February 2020 from https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

    Zhu H, Wang L, Fang C, et al. Clinicalanalysis of 10 neonates born to mothers with 2019-nCoV pneumonia. TranslPediatr 2020; published online Feb 10 2020. DOI:10.21037/tp.2020.02.06.

  • 乳头凹陷咋进行母乳喂养? How can I breastfeed with inverted nipples?

    乳头凹陷咋进行母乳喂养? How can I breastfeed with inverted nipples?

    网友:先天性乳头凹陷要怎么才能进行母乳喂养?

    周宗蓓:可以去测试一下乳头到底有多凹陷?如果用两个指头在乳晕上面稍微挤一下可以凸出来,这个不算乳头凹陷,那是可以母乳喂养。

    如果用手挤的时候乳头会更凹进去,没有办法拉出来的乳头,这种乳头可能的确是有一些困难。

    解决办法:

    1. 这种妈妈可以在孕期戴一种特殊的胸罩,像塑料贝壳,里面是塑料做的,里面那一层有可能是塑料,有可能是橡皮类的,可以让乳头更凸出来,可以一天戴几个小时,看看有没有帮助。有的妈妈发现很有帮助,脱下来就可以直接喂孩子了。
    2. 可以拿一个大一点的针管,把针尖的一部分切掉之后,用针管来吸乳头,也可以吸出来。如果宝宝在等很饿的时候会耽误一点时间,有妈妈嫌这个方法比较麻烦。如果家里有挤奶器也可以先用挤奶器把奶头吸出来一点,再让孩子含入。
    3. 如果非常凹陷的,怎么弄都不出来的乳头,妈妈如果想要母乳喂养,可能得买一个最好是双头电动的挤奶器,每天挤奶用瓶子喂孩子,也可以正常长期给孩子提供母乳。
  • 奶水过多的母亲易得乳腺炎? Are mothers with an oversupply at greater risk for mastitis?

    奶水过多的母亲易得乳腺炎? Are mothers with an oversupply at greater risk for mastitis?

    主持人:奶水过多的母亲容易得乳腺炎?

    周宗蓓:如果奶太多了,你的乳房就会胀,你的乳房胀的时候就会提示你的身体明天减少量。但是如果常常胀的话,乳房容易乳腺闭塞,或者妈妈在精神上面感觉很有压力也会容易乳腺闭塞。

    乳腺闭塞可能有一些疼痛,可能有一些硬块,母亲发现的时候最好让宝宝多吸这一边,而且把下巴指到乳房,孩子的下巴接触乳房的哪一边或者哪一块,这块会吸得比较干净,在床上平躺,得有人帮助孩子摆到好的姿势,把疼痛的地方尽量排空。一两天内看看自己能不能让孩子先吃有问题的这边,或者下巴指到这个地方,看看孩子能不能自然把它排得没有问题了。如果孩子吃完还堵的话,一边可以用吸奶器吸,一边用用手捋捋,也可以热敷,特别是喂以前热敷或者用吸奶器热敷,或者泡在热水里面或者洗一个热水澡。通常用这些方法一两天就会解决了,不会变成乳腺炎,不用找医院找医生看了。

    如果发现妈妈某一天发烧了,整个乳房发热发红,的确发展到乳腺炎了,最好还是要去看医生。提醒医生你在母乳喂养,希望开的抗生素可以配合母乳喂养,这样妈妈不用断奶,也不用临时停止母乳喂养,可以继续吃药,也可以继续母乳喂养,也不会影响奶的质量。

  • 乳糖不耐受可以母乳喂养吗? Can Lactose Intolerant Babies Breastfeed?

    乳糖不耐受可以母乳喂养吗? Can Lactose Intolerant Babies Breastfeed?

    网友:宝宝乳糖不耐受是不是可以继续母乳喂养?

    答:一般孩子不会出现这种情况,如果出生就被疹断为乳糖不耐症,那么医生会建议给孩子吃无乳糖配方奶粉,而不是母乳,也不是牛奶。所有哺乳动物的乳汁中都有乳糖成分,乳糖酶是能够分解肠液中乳糖的一种酶。婴儿出生时,体内没有乳糖酶的情况是极其罕见的。完全缺失乳糖酶的婴儿就不能消化吸收乳汁中的乳糖。在无乳糖配方奶粉出现之前,这样的婴儿很难存活下来。

    如果是宝宝出生几个月后出现乳糖不耐受的情况,要具体分析原因,这时候,断奶不是明智的选择,因为切断母乳喂养不会解决问题,只会使情况变得更糟。

    乳糖不耐症常见于某些群体中,是由于体内的乳糖酶的缓慢减少而致。一连几年,乳糖酶缓慢地减少,但不会导致突发性腹泻。甚至是在乳糖不耐症频发的群体中,都不会在断乳之前发生腹泻——断奶期通常为宝宝二岁半至四岁之间。乳糖不耐症的个体会注意到其症状是在很多年的过程中,逐渐地增重。

    真正的乳糖不耐症不是对乳汁过敏,而是一种逐渐明显的乳糖酶的缺乏症。即使妈妈乳糖酶缺乏,也不会影响母乳中的乳糖含量。而且,也不可能说孩子不适应母乳中的乳糖,但能适应奶制品中的乳糖,反之亦然——乳糖就是乳糖。

    当妈妈喝了牛奶或者是食用了乳制品时,极个别的敏感的宝宝会有烦躁不安等症状,那么妈妈不再食用奶制品,就能够缓解宝宝的不适症状。这种情况不是乳糖不耐症。这种情况是由于牛奶中一些蛋白质片段吸收进母乳中而造成的。牛奶中的蛋白质和母乳中的蛋白质区别很大,因此一些敏感的宝宝就会有所反应。

    本文根据对 Ivy Makelin 的采访内容整理)