There are many women who struggle with breastfeeding problems due to lack of adequate supply of milk postpartum. This can be very frustrating for the mother, and with the increased understanding of the importance of breast milk to the infants, it can create unnecessary stress and anxiety for the parent.
Most women are very careful about the options they may have to correct these types of breastfeeding problems. There are some prescription drugs on the market that can be used to increase the prolactin levels in the mother’s system and thereby boost milk production.
Side effects are possible with these drugs, including an increased risk of depression, anxiety and seizure types of events. Additionally, many women experience digestive disturbances on some of these medications including nausea, fatigue, diarrhea and lack of appetite.
However, low prolactin levels are not the reason for breastfeeding problems for all women in Seattle. In fact, many women already have high levels of prolactin, and for these women, the balance between prolactin and oxytocin may be the issue for the decreased production.
The Natural Option
Traditional Chinese Medicine has long been used to treat low levels of breastmilk in postpartum women. Acupuncture has been studied in multiple research tests and demonstrated an increase in milk production for many women.
With acupuncture, the stimulation of specific points on the body, which can include the sternum, lower breasts and lower legs, have been found to increase milk production without any side effects.
Some women may also experience the opposite issue, or overproduction of milk, as breastfeeding problems. This condition, known as milk stasis, can also be treated through the use of acupuncture. Through acupuncture, women will notice faster relief and reduced discomfort with this very painful condition.
Galactorrhea, or the spontaneous production of milk unrelated to pregnancy, childbirth, or lactation also shows increased results when acupuncture is included in the treatment.
The use of acupuncture for breastfeeding problems is a standalone type of solution, and there is no need to add prescription medications to the treatment regime. The use of acupuncture can correct blockages that may be leading to difficulty in expressing the milk, even when there is significant production.
Also, and this is very important, the use of acupuncture will relieve stress and tension for the mother and allow the milk to flow naturally through the breast to feed the infant. Nutritional counseling and support, along with herbs and homeopathic remedies, will also be instrumental in helping mothers in Seattle to have the resources need to produce higher volumes of milk. Click here for more information.
