New Moms | Big Breasts = More Milk? Is Blocked Milk Flow Worse Than Childbirth? Traditional Chinese Medicine Teaches You How to Promote Milk Flow and Avoid "Stone Chests"

Breastfeeding is widely encouraged in today's society, but new mothers often encounter difficulties in this area. Registered Chinese medicine practitioner Wong Ching-ching, in an interview with *Sing Tao Daily*, stated that new mothers frequently face challenges with milk production and breastfeeding. If these problems are not addressed promptly or incorrect methods are used, "it can be more painful than childbirth." To address this, she shared several correct methods for dealing with blocked milk ducts and some dietary remedies to help new mothers resolve their discomfort.

Dr. Huang said that it is difficult for first-time mothers to master the breastfeeding technique and control the correct position of the baby's sucking nipple, and then feel unbearable pain during the entire breastfeeding process. She suggested that new mothers can ask the girls at maternal and child health centers for advice, or watch videos online to learn the correct way to let their babies suck, so as to reduce nipple injuries. In addition, you should also make good use of a breast pump to prevent milk from coagulating in the breast and causing mastitis.

She suggests that if new mothers experience breast engorgement, they can first apply a warm towel (around 40 degrees Celsius) to their breasts, along with lubricating oil, and gently massage the breasts from shallow to deep pressure. Then, using their thumb and forefinger, they can press their fingers about 3 centimeters away from the nipple and squeeze the milk into a bottle. This method is especially suitable when the milk is engorged and before breastfeeding, as it softens the areola and makes it easier for the baby to latch on.

However, if the breast becomes red, swollen, hot, and painful, or even if the mother has a fever, it may be acute mastitis. Dr. Wong suggests using a cool towel to apply cold compresses to relieve pain and reduce milk production, and also using a breast pump to express any accumulated milk. It is crucial to avoid hot compresses and seek medical attention as soon as possible. In addition to hot compresses, Dr. Wong also suggests using acupuncture, oral lactation-promoting formulas, or herbal soups to help with milk production. Mothers who want to temporarily reduce milk production can first consume foods such as sesame oil, pig's trotters, and seafood soups, and then resume lactation-promoting dietary therapies once the mastitis subsides and the mother's fever returns.

Milk-promoting soup

For mothers experiencing breast engorgement, the following soups can help clear the milk ducts:

Methods to help with breastfeeding

Many people mistakenly believe that large breasts equal abundant milk production, but Dr. Huang states that this is not the case. She advises mothers to relax, as formula can also meet a baby's daily nutritional needs. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, insufficient milk production in mothers is often due to two constitutions: weak Qi and blood, and stagnant liver Qi. The following methods can help increase milk supply: