Ask the Expert: TCM perspective on increasing milk supply

Have you just delivered and in your early days of breastfeeding? If it is, this is a common early stage of breastfeeding issues when your milk production has increased and your breasts are not regulated, hence you are experiencing the fullness of your breasts and difficulty in emptying your breasts well. It is commonly known as engorgement. If you have been breastfeeding for quite some time now, for example a couple of months, this is a symptom of prolonged engorgement, which means it has been a long while since you’ve emptied your breast and it is filled with milk. For both cases, do empty your breasts as soon as possible. Using a warm compression and gentle massage before emptying your breasts will help milk flow easier. Followed with a cold cabbage compress after that will help ease off pain and some swelling. From the TCM perspective, this is also caused by liver and qi stagnation which consuming of chinese herbs, lactation treatment massage and even acupuncture will help to i