Galactagogues can harm the mammary glands, potentially inducing mastitis, which may lead to diarrhea in children. Galactagogues achieve the purpose of lactation by promoting the secretion of prolactin in the body, which may cause endocrine disorders in women. Generally speaking, appropriate use of galactagogues does not produce too many obvious side effects. In addition to using galactagogues, eating more protein-rich foods is also beneficial for lactation. As long as the dosage of galactagogues is appropriate, there are few side effects. Herbal soups such as crucian carp tofu soup and oxtail soup can also effectively promote lactation. Adequate rest and maintaining a cheerful mood are also conducive to increasing milk production. Any medication has certain side effects, and it depends on whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks or not. Generally speaking, it can be used, but observation is needed. If symptoms improve, it can be continued. Western medicine generally does not have galactagogues, only traditional Chinese medicine and various dietary therapies can promote lactation, which have few side effects.
What should I do if I have insufficient breast milk? 1. Ensure that the mother has sufficient nutrition, especially protein-rich foods such as milk, soy milk, eggs, fish, and more soup such as pig's trotter soup and crucian carp soup. 2. When breastfeeding, hold the breast gently with a "C" shape to facilitate milk excretion. Avoid using a scissors-like grip. Breastfeed alternately on both sides, emptying one side before switching to the other. When breastfeeding, the chest, abdomen, and chin should be in contact with the breast. The baby should fully contain the nipple and most of the areola in its mouth to prevent nipple chapping, which may cause the mother to reduce or stop breastfeeding due to pain, affecting milk secretion. 3. Reduce the cesarean section rate and try vaginal delivery as much as possible. 4. For insufficient breast milk caused by breast diseases, the underlying disease should be actively treated. 5. Maintain a good mood for the mother. Postpartum mothers are prone to emotional fluctuations due to physiological and environmental factors, often resulting in low mood, which can restrict breast milk secretion. Medical experiments have shown that in cases of low mood, milk secretion will decrease sharply.
