Breastfeeding

  • Hormone Prolactin causes your alveoli to take nutrients (proteins, sugars) from your blood supply and turn them into breast milk.
  • Hormone Oxytocin causes the cells around the alveoli to contract and eject your milk down the milk ducts.
  • This passing of the milk down the ducts is called the “let-down” (milk ejection) reflex.
  • The size of your breasts does not affect your ability to breastfeed. Women with small breasts make the same quantity and quality of milk as women with larger breasts.

Anatomy of Breast

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

  • The first few days after birth, your breasts make an ideal “first milk.” It’s called colostrum. Colostrum helps a newborn’s digestive tract develop and prepare itself to digest breast milk. Colostrum contains immune enhancing properties which helps in the development of immunity in the newborn.
  • Most babies lose a small amount of weight in the first 3 to 5days after birth. This is unrelated to breast feeding.
  • Experts recommend trying to breast feed ex c lus i vel y (no formula, juice, or water) for 6months.
  • If you supplement with formula, your breasts might make less milk.

Following image showing some position for breast feeding your baby.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

( Cross body , Laid – Back & Football position are also common and useful for breast feed. )

Common signs are

  • Crying.
  • Licking their lips.
  • Sticking out their tongue.

  • Breastfeeding burns ext ra calories, so it can help you lose pregnancy weight faster.
  • It releases the hormone oxytocin, which helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size.
  • Breastfeeding also lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

breastfeeding

breastfeeding

breastfeeding

breastfeeding

  • Your infant should have all of your nipple and most of the areola (which is the darker skin around your nipple) in his/her mouth.

Good " lat ching on" i s very important and helps prevent sore nipples.

Many breastfeeding moms wonder whether their babies get enough milk for good nutrition. If your baby is getting enough breastmilk they ( baby ) should:

  • Gain weight
  • Seem content for about 1-3 hours between feedings.
  • Urine should be a clear pale yellow colour and not smell.
  • If babies are not getting enough milk - you may consult your doctor and get started with galactogogues. (medicine which help increasing the milk secretion )

  • Breast milk provides the ideal nutrition for infants. and it’s all provided in a form more easily digested than infant formula.

  • It contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria.

  • It lowers your baby’s risk of having asthma or allergies.

  • The physical closeness, skin-to- skin touching , and eye contact all help your baby bond with you and feel secure.

  • It has been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood.

  • Sore nipples.
  • Inverted nipples
  • Breast engorgement.
  • Breast infection(mastitis).

Contact your doctor if Your breasts become unusually red, swollen, hard, sore or you have an unusual discharge or bleeding from your nipples.

  • These tips, called the ABCs of breastfeeding.
  • Awareness. Watch for your baby’s signs of hunger, and breastfeed whenever your baby Is hungry. This is called “on demand” feeding.
  • Be patient. Breastfeed as long as your baby wants to nurse each time. Baby typically breastfeed for 10 to 20 minutes on each breast.
  • Comfort. This Is key. Relax while breast feeding, and your milk is more likely to “letdown” and flow. Use pillows for support if required.