How does the lactation process occur in women? What is lactation and why is it important?
Lactation (from Latin lacto - I contain milk, I feed with milk)
the process of formation, accumulation and periodic excretion of milk (See Milk) in humans and mammals. L. begins after childbirth. Only mammary glands that have passed a certain stage of development during pregnancy can secrete. Milk is formed in the epithelial (secretory) cells of the alveoli of the mammary gland from the components of the blood. There are 4 stages of milk: absorption of “precursors” of milk from the blood by the mammary gland; synthesis of milk components in the secretory cells of the gland; formation and accumulation of synthesized products inside the cytoplasm of secretory cells; separation of milk into the cavity of the alveoli and other containers of the mammary gland (for example, the so-called cistern). Milk proteins are synthesized from amino acids, milk sugar - lactose - from glucose, milk fat - from neutral fat and free fatty acids in the blood. The hypothalamus plays the main role in the regulation of lactoses.
and Pituitary gland. During pregnancy (See Pregnancy), the lactogenic hormone begins to be released in large quantities; posterior pituitary hormone - Oxytocin
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also participates in the process of milk production. L. in humans. On the first day after birth, you can express just a few drops of colostrum from the mammary glands (See Colostrum). Subsequently, the increase in secretion occurs in different ways; in some cases, the amount of milk gradually increases, in others, the flow of milk occurs suddenly, violently. Women (mainly primigravidas) sometimes experience late appearance of milk; secretion begins only on the 5-6th day and even at the beginning of the 2nd week, slowly developing by the 3rd week. From the moment milk flows in, secretion gradually and continuously increases, reaching a maximum between the 10th and 20th weeks and remains at this height until the end of L. The amount of breast milk in the same woman on different days and different hours of the same day may be subject to fluctuations (after a night's rest there is more milk, after a sleepless night, at the end of the day, after hard work there is less milk), but in general it is approximately the same within a day. If the mammary gland has good lactation capacity and the woman is feeding two or more children, L. can reach 2000-3000 G Good nutrition of the mother is necessary for good L. A nursing mother should receive an average of 110-130 Women (mainly primigravidas) sometimes experience late appearance of milk; secretion begins only on the 5-6th day and even at the beginning of the 2nd week, slowly developing by the 3rd week. From the moment milk flows in, secretion gradually and continuously increases, reaching a maximum between the 10th and 20th weeks and remains at this height until the end of L. The amount of breast milk in the same woman on different days and different hours of the same day may be subject to fluctuations (after a night's rest there is more milk, after a sleepless night, at the end of the day, after hard work there is less milk), but in general it is approximately the same within a day. If the mammary gland has good lactation capacity and the woman is feeding two or more children, L. can reach 2000-3000 protein, 100-130 G fat and 450-500 Women (mainly primigravidas) sometimes experience late appearance of milk; secretion begins only on the 5-6th day and even at the beginning of the 2nd week, slowly developing by the 3rd week. From the moment milk flows in, secretion gradually and continuously increases, reaching a maximum between the 10th and 20th weeks and remains at this height until the end of L. The amount of breast milk in the same woman on different days and different hours of the same day may be subject to fluctuations (after a night's rest there is more milk, after a sleepless night, at the end of the day, after hard work there is less milk), but in general it is approximately the same within a day. If the mammary gland has good lactation capacity and the woman is feeding two or more children, L. can reach 2000-3000 carbohydrates; vitamin A - 2 mg, riboflavin - 3.5 mg, nicotinic acid - 25 mg, pyridoxine - 4 mg, ascorbic acid - 100-120 mg per day. The nursing mother should consume an increased amount of fluid - up to 1.5-2 l(depending on the volume of milk produced). An obligatory part of the diet should be milk (but not more than 0.5 l) and dairy products (cottage cheese, etc.), meat, fish, eggs. Of the L. disorders, the most common is Hypogalactia - a decrease in L. The complete absence of milk secretion - Agalactia - is observed very rarely and occurs as a result of hormonal disorders. Sometimes there is a spontaneous flow of milk from the mammary gland outside or during feeding of the child, which does not occur due to the abundance of milk, but as a functional disorder of the mammary glands in women with increased nervous excitability. Apart from general strengthening agents, it does not require special treatment. A decrease in L. is observed in all chronic debilitating diseases of the mother (diabetes, nephritis, cancer, etc.), in acute diseases that occur with high fever and loss of appetite (for example, mastitis), in chronic infections (especially tuberculosis), and also in diarrhea. . Medicines taken by a nursing mother have little effect on L., although it can decrease under the influence of laxatives, diuretics, camphor, atropine and some others. L. in animals in the first time after childbirth it increases, then gradually decreases. A cow produces the greatest amount of milk at the end of the first and second month after calving. In some animals (cows, mares, goats), L. decreases with a new pregnancy. To obtain higher milk yields in the next year, the cow is stopped milking 1.5-2 months before calving (dry period), and for mares and goats even earlier. The time from the beginning of L. after childbirth to the cessation of milk secretion is called the lactation period. Its duration: a cow has an average of 300 days, for a goat - 8-10 months, for a sheep - 4-5 months, in a mare - up to 9 months and more, in a pig - 60-70 days The duration of the pregnancy period and the amount of milk obtained from the animal depend on the type, breed, feeding and maintenance, the timing of the new pregnancy and the duration of the dry period. L. disturbances are observed with mastitis, involuntary leakage of milk, and stiffness. See also Udder. Lit.: Espe D., Milk secretion, trans. from English, M., 1950 (bib.); Emelyanov A.S., Lactation activity of cows and its management, Vologda, 1953; Grachev I.I., Reflex regulation of lactation, L., 1964; Azimov G.I., How milk is formed, M., 1965; Neuro-hormonal regulation of lactation, M. - L., .
Great Soviet Encyclopedia. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1969-1978 .
See what “Lactation” is in other dictionaries:
LACTATION- (lat. lactatio sucking), separation of milk by the mammary gland. From the 2nd to 3rd month of pregnancy, hyperplasia of the glandular parenchyma of the mammary gland begins (for its structure, see Breast gland), which continues throughout pregnancy. Exists… … Great Medical Encyclopedia
- (from Latin lacto I feed with milk) the formation of milk in the mammary glands and its periodic excretion. Characteristic of female mammals and women. Begins after childbirth under the influence of hormones; if milk is not excreted from the gland, lactation... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
- (from Latin lacto I feed with milk), the formation and accumulation of milk in the mammary glands of women. mammals and its periodic excretion during sucking or milking. A complex neuroendocrine process occurring in the mammary glands (MG) and... ... Biological encyclopedic dictionary
- (from the Latin lacto I feed with milk), the formation of milk in the mammary glands and its periodic excretion. Characteristic of female mammals and women. It begins after childbirth under the influence of hormones... Modern encyclopedia
LACTATION, the production of milk by female MAMMALS to feed their young. In a pregnant woman, HORMONES promote breast enlargement, and PROLACTIN (a HORMONE produced by the PITUITARY Gland) stimulates breast cells to produce milk. Milk… … Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary
LACTATION, lactation, many. no, female (from Latin lacto I breastfeed) (physiol.). 1. Secretion of milk in female mammals. 2. The period of breastfeeding the baby. Ushakov's explanatory dictionary. D.N. Ushakov. 1935 1940 ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary
LACTATION, and, women. (specialist.). The formation and secretion of milk in women and female mammals. | adj. lactation, oh, oh. L. period. Ozhegov's explanatory dictionary. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 … Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary
Lactation- secretion of milk by the mammary gland... Source: REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROTECTION OF WORKERS. BASIC TERMS AND CONCEPTS (approved by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation 02.10.2003 N 11 8/13 09) ... Official terminology
Noun, number of synonyms: 1 hyperlactation (1) ASIS Dictionary of Synonyms. V.N. Trishin. 2013… Synonym dictionary
LACTATION- (from Lat. lactare to give milk), separation of milk by the mammary gland. The milk lasts, right, for 6-8 months, and in the last month the milk produces only 5-15% of the amount of milk produced in the first month. After weaning the female and stopping milking L... Horse breeding guide
Lactation- (from the Latin lacto I feed with milk), the formation of milk in the mammary glands and its periodic excretion. Characteristic of female mammals and women. It begins after childbirth under the influence of hormones. ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary
Books
- , Skopichev V.G. This textbook is a presentation of the basic physiological functions of the body. Focusing on modern scientific data, the authors revealed the essence of the mechanisms of nervous, humoral and...
- Physiology and ethology of animals in 3 parts. Part 2. Blood circulation, respiration, excretory processes, reproduction, lactation, metabolism. Textbook and workshop for universities, V. Skopichev. This textbook is a presentation of the basic physiological functions of the body. Focusing on modern scientific data, the authors revealed the essence of the mechanisms of nervous, humoral and...
The concept and phenomenon of “lactation” is familiar to every woman, especially those who are pregnant or already have a small baby. In simple words, lactation is the formation of milk in the breast of an expectant or nursing mother, as well as its accumulation and subsequent excretion. Active milk production begins already during pregnancy. Proof of this is the release of colostrum, which begins already in the second trimester of pregnancy. Each woman has individual characteristics of lactation: for some women, its duration can be several years, while for others it disappears a few months after the birth of the child.
Lactation: what is it? What promotes breast milk production?
Several hormones are involved in the production of breast milk: oxytocin and prolactin who bear full responsibility for this phenomenon. Prolactin stimulates milk production, and oxytocin, in turn, is a conductor that allows milk to come out.
In order for breast milk to be sufficient and contain all the nutritional elements necessary for the baby, it is necessary that the young mother adheres to a healthy lifestyle, tries not to overwork, and also eats a balanced diet of high-quality food.
It is worth noting that the more milk a child consumes, the more actively the mammary glands will produce it.
Stages of lactation
- Blood elements begin to actively accumulate in the mammary glands, which contribute to and are directly involved in milk production.
- The elements accumulated from the lymph take part in the synthesis of the components of breast milk, which occurs in the secretory cells of the mammary glands.
- Synthesis products are formed and increase their concentration in the cytoplasm of secretory cells.
- The final stage of lactation - full-fledged breast milk enters the alveoli of the mammary glands.
Each of the existing stages of lactation begins during pregnancy, with the exception of the last. Breast milk begins to be released soon after labor ends. What determines lactation after pregnancy? All the same hormones - oxytocin and prolactin, which were actively released during pregnancy.
Physiology and process of lactation in women
Physiology
As we said earlier, the hormone prolactin is fully responsible for the production of breast milk:
- Every time a mother puts her baby to the breast, the nerve endings of the nipple are actively stimulated, after which a signal is sent to the brain about where this hormone is actually produced.
- Prolactin is released in large volumes at night, so feeding during this period helps maintain the required amount of milk.
The hormone oxytocin is responsible for the secretion of breast milk:
- When the baby is latched to the breast, the nerve endings of the nipples are stimulated, which forces the woman’s body to actively produce oxytocin.
- The production of the hormone is well stimulated by thoughts about the baby, its smell and appearance.
- Stress, pain syndromes, self-doubt and constant doubts prevent the formation of the hormone.
The process of removing breast milk has another name - "oxytocin reflex":
Signs of its manifestation are as follows:
- smooth but deep sucking and swallowing by the child, which indicates the flow of milk into the child’s oral cavity;
- copious flow of milk in a thin stream at the moment when the baby suddenly comes off the breast;
- painful spasms formed as a result of contraction of the uterus;
- copious discharge of milk from the nipple while the baby is attached to the other breast;
- slight leakage of milk shortly before the baby begins to suck on the nipple;
- feeling of fullness and warmth in the mammary glands;
- There may be tingling in the chest area before or during feeding.
It is also worth noting that the shape and size of a young mother’s breasts do not at all affect the quantity and quality of milk produced. The amount of milk produced depends solely on the stimulation of the breasts, as well as how often they are emptied.
Process
So, as we said earlier, The lactation process is different for every woman. In most cases, immediately after childbirth, a small amount is released from the breast. colostrum. But subsequent production depends on the emotional and physical state of the woman in labor, as well as on the amount of hormones produced, the course of labor and the quality of nutrition of the young mother.
There are cases when women experience a sharp flow of milk on the second day after childbirth, but in most cases there is a gradual increase.
During the first pregnancy, there are quite often cases when the lactation period begins 5 - 7 days after birth. In these cases, it is worth resorting to methods that support and establish lactation. But as you know, Hormones play a major role in milk production.
It is worth noting that special attention should be paid to proper feeding of the newborn. This helps produce the required amount of milk. If you stop feeding your baby or put him to the breast rarely, then the volume of lactation produced will decline. But you can’t overdo it in feeding either - the remaining milk must be expressed.
During the first month of feeding a baby, not only the quantity, but also the quality of lactation decreases significantly. The first two weeks of lactation belong to the preparatory stage, and already with the onset of 10-13 weeks the mature stage begins.
Lactation is the most important segment for a child, which includes all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, macro-microelements. Even the most popular and high-quality infant formulas are significantly inferior to the quality of breast milk. Lactation is a natural physiological process that is necessary for a child for its harmonious development.
How to establish lactation? Foods that affect lactation
In case of lactation dysfunction, you can resort to one of several methods that will normalize the production of breast milk: using specially developed medications or naturally. It is recommended to use the first method only if the second method does not bring the desired result, which includes good nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, and only after the recommendation of a doctor.
It is worth noting that During lactation, a young mother should drink plenty of fluids, at least two liters during the day. You need to carefully consider your diet, from which you need to exclude all harmful foods. Mandatory components of the nurse's diet should be:
- fermented milk products: yogurt, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, kefir or yogurt;
- nuts;
- protein products: eggs;
- seafood: carp, pollock, carp, pike perch or hake;
- lean meat varieties: rabbit, veal or chicken.
The following should be excluded from the diet of a young mother:
- vegetables, berries and fruits that can contribute to the development of allergies: raspberries, black currants, strawberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes;
- carbonated drinks;
- products containing dyes and additives, preservatives;
- spices;
- roast;
- fatty.
Ways to increase lactation
If the amount of breast milk produced is insufficient It is recommended to take hot baths and do breast massage. When taking a shower, you need to direct a stream of warm water onto your chest, while making circular movements with your hand. Taking a bath, with the right approach, is not only a pleasant procedure, but also useful.
You can resort to a folk recipe: drink hot tea along with condensed milk and halva and within a matter of minutes you will feel a rush of milk in your chest.
If all of the above methods do not give the desired result, then you need to consult a specialist who, as a result of the examination, will prescribe the necessary drugs to stimulate lactation.
Medicines that increase lactation
Today there is a wide variety of drugs that help increase lactation. Perhaps the most popular of them include teas, which contain minerals, vitamins and herbs.
Some young mothers begin to self-medicate by preparing various mixtures. We strongly recommend that only after visiting a specialist, you begin to take the agreed upon decoctions and teas.
Teas for lactation include the following herbs: fennel, dill, nettle,. A nursing mother can also use them separately. All teas and infusions must be taken warm, since warm drinks promote active milk production.
Sports during lactation
Of course, playing sports is extremely beneficial, but After childbirth, you need to approach physical exercise very wisely, carefully listening to your body, how it reacts to certain exercises.
Basic principles of playing sports during lactation:
- It is recommended to start classes with light loads. If the birth took place without any complications and naturally, then you can start physical activity a few weeks after the birth of the baby.
- First of all, it is recommended to pay attention to exercises that help strengthen the abdominal muscles. They allow you to tone the muscles, get rid of the consequences of constant stress on the spine, and also return the uterine muscles to their original position.
- After a week or two, you can add body turns, arm swings, bending, and squats. Exercises for the abdominal muscles need to be strengthened.
- At the same time, it is recommended to start doing exercises to strengthen the pectoral muscles. Such exercises not only help maintain breast shape, but also help increase lactation.
It is worth noting that All physical exercises are recommended to be done immediately after feeding, because during exercise, lactic acid is released abundantly, which may be contained in milk.
- Water. During physical exercise, it is necessary to increase the amount of fluid consumed to compensate for its loss.
- Exercise should be fun. You should not perform exercises by force or if you are not in the mood.
- Quiet mode. Exercises should not be overly forceful or intense. Your main goal should not be to pump up muscle mass, but to get your body in order.
What is lactation in women: in accessible words about the complex
Every woman who is planning to become a mother or already has a baby is familiar with the word “lactation.” In simple words, lactation refers to the process of formation and secretion of milk in the female breast. The period when milk is formed is divided into several stages, which are differentiated. These are the beginning of feeding, mature lactation and the completion of the process - involution. Let's see what happens in a woman's body after the birth of a child, how the mammary glands “respond” to this event.
- What is lactation in women
- What is the lactation period
- Concept of mature lactation
- What does involution of lactation mean?
What is lactation in women?
Delving a little deeper into medical terms, it becomes clear that “lactation” means a complex process consisting of long stages:
- mammogenesis (that is, the growth and development of mammary glands);
- lactogenesis (beginning immediately after birth, milk release);
- lactopoiesis (maintaining normal milk secretion).
Everything in life is a little simpler. In everyday life, lactation is the period when the mammary glands begin to secrete first colostrum, and then full-fledged milk necessary for a newborn. Thus, lactation is the formation and release of milk.
The mammary glands consist of small, vesicle-like structures called alveoli. Connecting, the alveoli form lobes, the excretory ducts of which open on the nipple.
Milk appears in sacs - alveoli. It is formed from blood components under the influence of hormones. The main hormone “responsible” for the formation of milk is prolactin. It stimulates milk production when the alveoli are empty after the baby is put to the breast.
Colostrum begins to appear during pregnancy, but until birth this process is held back by the placenta, which produces “its” hormones. In some pregnant women, drops of colostrum appear when lightly pressing on the breast. This is a normal phenomenon, indicating that a woman’s body is preparing for natural feeding. If after childbirth there are problems with the separation of the placenta, then lactation may not be established on time.
After giving birth, the baby needs to be put to the breast as quickly as possible in order to “wake up” the milk production mechanism. Therefore, sections begin in the very first hours, if there was no general anesthesia.
What is the lactation period in women?
The lactation period is the time period when the mother feeds the baby with the milk she produces. The first milk (colostrum) appears immediately after the baby is born. It reaches the child during the first 2-3 days. At this time, he has enough nutrients contained in a small volume of colostrum. His digestive system is preparing to accept real, full-fledged milk; maternal antibodies enter the body, protecting against pathogenic microbes.
The initiation of lactation stimulates labor with the expulsion of the placenta. After about 35-40 hours, the first “hot flashes” appear. A woman feels them well - her breasts fill and swell. Now little colostrum is produced, but a lot of milk (gradually the milk changes its qualities and turns into mature). So far, its quantity depends not on how many times the mother puts the baby to the breast, but on the functioning of the woman’s endocrine system. Mother and child begin to adapt to each other.
On day 4, “real” milk comes. Hot flashes will be observed up to 6 weeks - after which the mother’s body will begin to produce as much milk as the newborn needs.
What is mature lactation?
2-3 months after the start of feeding, the next stage begins. The most pleasant for women and children. Hot flashes are replaced by mature lactation. Now the mammary glands produce as much milk as the baby needs. There is a dependence: the more milk the baby sucks, the more milk is produced: demand creates supply.
Established lactation is characterized by the following signs. A woman’s breasts are now always soft, not tense, because milk comes in gradually, in small portions, without causing any discomfort. Hot flashes appear if the baby has not been fed for a long time. The child is calm, gains weight evenly, wet diapers have to be changed 10-12 times a day.
The woman’s mood is leveled, she calms down, and the mother-child couple receives mutual satisfaction from the feeding process. The hormone oxytocin is produced, which “gives birth” to pleasant emotions, and in addition, indirectly contributes to greater milk production.
To ensure that lactation does not stop prematurely, it is necessary to properly attach the baby to the breast. If it only captures the nipple, it is injured, lactostasis and mastitis may occur. Therefore, you need to monitor how the baby takes the breast. The mother should take a comfortable position. You cannot make any “sacrifices” for the sake of the child: for example, allow him to just grab the nipple, or “hang” on the chest for a long time without benefit.
During the period of mature lactation, they can be observed. Sometimes they frighten the woman: she begins to think that there is not enough milk. In fact, everything is in order, crises arise due to the fact that the child’s development does not proceed smoothly, but spasmodically: at some point he begins to require milk in larger quantities, and the mother’s body does not have time to react. Then the child sucks milk for a long time, cries, and worries. The crisis period lasts about 3 days or a little longer. By placing the baby at the breast more often, the mother stimulates greater milk production, and it again becomes as much as the baby needs at this stage. To help the crisis pass faster, you can help yourself and your child with the following measures:
- drink a lot of hot tea;
- to sleep more;
- try to calm down.
Crises occur most often at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months of age.
Involution of lactation: what is it?
One day a woman notices that feeding her baby is no longer accompanied by pleasant sensations, but by a feeling of fatigue. It seems to the mother that the baby is literally sucking the strength out of her. The mood deteriorates, the woman becomes irritable. Hair may begin to fall out. Most likely, the stage of involution of lactation has begun. It cannot be confused with a lactation crisis: the accompanying phenomena do not go away after a few days, but only get worse.
Involution usually occurs between 1.5-2.5 years of age of the child. This is a normal process and indicates the need to stop breastfeeding.
Involution of lactation is the best time to wean a baby from the breast. The substances obtained from breast milk will last a child for six months so as not to get sick and “learn” to produce his own antibodies to bacteria.
For the mother, weaning during this period will also be painless: there will be no mastitis or hyperprolactinemia, the breasts will gradually become the same as before. Wise nature has thought of everything.
Lactation is necessary for both mother and newborn. Therefore, you need to try to achieve the appearance of milk after childbirth, showing patience if its production is insufficient. Feeding a child is a stage when close contact is established between him and the mother, they feel each other. But when the time comes for the end of lactation, there is no need to worry: the child has grown up, a new stage begins in his development. The baby slowly becomes an independent part of the mother.
Nature intended that a woman not only bear and give birth to a child, but also be able to feed him. Therefore, even during pregnancy, the expectant mother’s breasts begin to prepare for the process of feeding the baby. Thanks to complex hormonal processes, the mammary glands begin to produce colostrum, and then milk. The body is a clearly coordinated mechanism, the work of which during gestation and after childbirth is aimed at caring for the child and his health. Therefore, lactation is one of the processes on which the development and growth of the baby’s small body depends.
What is lactation in women
Every mother and not only is familiar with the concept of “lactation”. Women of childbearing age who are planning a pregnancy or dream of having children in the future know that after the birth of a baby, doctors around the world recommend breastfeeding the baby. Therefore, lactation is the process of formation, accumulation of milk in the breast, as well as its removal from the mammary glands.
Experts note that the possibility of breastfeeding depends on the individual characteristics of the young mother’s body. Some are able to feed the baby for several years, while others try their best to maintain the production of valuable fluid, but the milk disappears a month, two or six months after the birth of the child.
Milk is produced and stored in the milk ducts
Experts have proven that the composition of milk is individual for each woman, and it all depends on the needs of the baby. For example, if a baby was born with low body weight, the milk will be fattier and vice versa, when the baby is quite large, the nutritional fluid is not so saturated with fats, other substances predominate in it. The content of vitamins and minerals also differs depending on the individual developmental characteristics of the baby and its age.
The composition of milk is never the same throughout the entire breastfeeding period. As the baby grows, it changes to provide the child with the necessary nutritional and beneficial elements at a particular time.
Video: why it is important to breastfeed your baby
Physiology of lactation: main processes of milk production
A woman’s milk production does not begin immediately. This is preceded by a rather long preparation process, because the body must radically reorganize the functioning of its organs and systems and adjust to feeding the baby after childbirth. Some expectant mothers note that already from the fourth month of pregnancy, a yellowish liquid begins to be released from the breast.
Gynecologists reassure: this is colostrum, this is how the breasts prepare for the lactation process.
Processes in a woman’s body that ensure lactation
Milk production is possible due to the special structure of the mammary glands, which consist of alveoli - formations that look like small bubbles.
Their cells produce nutritious fluid from the woman's blood. Considering the structure of the chest, we can say that it consists of several lobes, each of which contains dozens of alveoli, united by ducts.
Closer to the areola of the nipple, all the ducts expand, forming sinuses in the form of pouches in which milk accumulates. Special channels extend from them to the nipples. When the baby is attached to the breast, he grabs the nipple with the areola, begins to suck, the channels open and the nutritional fluid enters the baby’s mouth. That is why it is important that the baby latch onto the breast correctly. Only then will all the fluid be released from the mammary gland and milk stagnation can be avoided.
The formation and production of milk is possible due to the special structure of the female breast
Experts explain that a woman’s body begins to prepare for the process of lactation from the first days of pregnancy. And by the thirtieth week, the mammary glands are already fully capable of producing milk. But this does not happen due to placental hormones, the purpose of which during this period is to carry the fetus to a certain date. Only after delivery does the development of breastfeeding begin.
Obstetricians-gynecologists and breastfeeding consultants draw the attention of young mothers to the fact that milk production must be maintained. This happens by applying the baby to the breast. The principle of supply and demand works here: the baby suckles at the breast - the nutrient fluid is formed again after a while, if not, the milk stops flowing.
- placental lactogen. A hormone that the placenta begins to produce from the fifth week of pregnancy. Its level increases up to eight months, then gradually decreases and finally disappears from the body after the placenta leaves the uterus during childbirth. Its function is to develop the mammary glands, as well as prepare them for breastfeeding;
Placental lactogen does not act independently, but in combination with prolactin during pregnancy.
- oxytocin. Many women know that it responds to contraction of the uterine muscles during childbirth, as well as after the baby is born. But not everyone realizes that during the first attachment of a newborn to the breast, it is this hormone that begins to be produced in large quantities, promoting the contraction of muscle fibers around the alveoli. Thanks to oxytocin, such valuable fluid quickly moves through the milk ducts and is eliminated.
Surely young mothers have noticed that milk can begin to be actively released from the breast as soon as the baby starts crying, or as soon as you take the baby in your arms, sometimes it’s enough just to think about feeding. This also occurs due to a surge of oxytocin in the body.
- prolactin. This hormone is responsible for the production of breast milk. When a woman puts her baby to her breast, the nerve endings of the nipple are stimulated during sucking. These signals are received by the brain, as a result of which prolactin is produced.
Every nursing mother should know that this hormone is released more at night than during the day. This is why night feedings are very important, especially in the first months of lactation.
Video: how breast milk is formed and produced
What processes can occur during lactation
Lactation is a complex process that occurs completely differently for all women. Some do not experience any problems with milk production, while others begin a difficult struggle to maintain breastfeeding from the first days.
Obstetricians and gynecologists point out that it is often the nursing mother herself who is to blame for the loss of milk. Therefore, even during pregnancy, it is recommended to study the information and consult with a breastfeeding consultant in order to correctly establish the process of natural breastfeeding for the baby immediately after birth.
Formation of lactation
Doctors distinguish several stages. The first is the formation of lactation. After childbirth, a woman secretes a thick fluid called colostrum. There is very little of it, it has a greasy consistency, but in the first few days this is quite enough for the baby. For two or three days after birth, the baby eats only colostrum, which is rich in vitamins and beneficial elements that have a positive effect on the newborn’s immunity.
The production of valuable fluid is not affected by breast size or shape. The main factors on which milk production depends are the frequency of the baby's latches and emptying of the breast.
This is the initial stage, followed by the second - the production of milk itself. After the placenta has left the woman’s uterus, placental lactogen disappears from the body and 35–45 hours after delivery, the young mother begins to feel so-called hot flashes: the breasts swell and increase in size. Around the fourth day, milk comes in directly, and the thick liquid is no longer produced. The body cannot immediately understand how much nutrition is needed to produce for the baby, at what time and in what quantity. This takes time, which usually ranges from two to three months.
It is worth noting that in the first 10–14 days after the birth of the baby, maternal nutrition for the baby may have a bluish tint, be liquid or slightly transparent. This is considered a variant of the norm: the composition of the liquid changes to meet the needs of the baby. After two weeks, the milk is considered mature.
Many women worry that the baby is not getting enough of colostrum, but doctors refute this statement and urge young mothers not to worry
Mature lactation
This stage occurs two to three months after the baby is born. The young mother no longer feels hot flashes, the breasts remain soft, without pain. This happens because milk comes in small portions and exactly as much as the baby needs. The body has already adapted to its new state, has become accustomed to the child’s feeding regimen, so the process has become clear and streamlined.
Experts consider mature lactation to be the most comfortable stage during breastfeeding for both mother and baby. The woman and the baby enjoy each other, rejoice at every new achievement and simply spend time together with love and tenderness.
But lactation is not always so rosy and problem-free. Many women experience lactation crises at this stage. Mom begins to fear that the baby does not have enough milk and he will remain hungry. But gynecologists say that this state of affairs is within normal limits. The fact is that the child experiences leaps in development, as a result of which the feeding schedule during the day and night shifts slightly; the baby needs more milk, because he is growing at a very fast pace. And a woman’s body, accustomed to working in a certain mode, does not have time to produce such an amount of nutrition for a growing baby.
The period of lactation crisis lasts on average about three days. Breastfeeding consultants recommend putting the baby to the breast as often as possible at this time to stimulate the production of more milk.
During lactation crises, the baby may cry, be capricious, and suckle for a long time.
- be at emotional peace: don’t be nervous, rest more, be sure to get enough sleep, get positive emotions;
- drink plenty of fluids, hot tea helps especially well;
- Feed your baby more often, especially at night. If the baby does not wake up in the dark, you can express a little milk to stimulate the production of prolactin.
There are periods of so-called risk. It is at this time that a woman most often faces the problem of a lactation crisis: three to four weeks, one and a half, three and six months after the birth of the baby.
Involution of lactation
Modern experts recommend breastfeeding a baby until the age of three. But not all women are ready to decide to maintain lactation for such a long period. The fact is that in the period from one and a half to two and a half years, many mothers begin to experience a kind of fatigue from the process of breastfeeding.
- It manifests itself in:
- emotional stress;
- irritability;
- mood swings;
health problems: a woman notices that she begins to have problems with her teeth, hair falls out, and her skin becomes dry and flaky.
This is no longer a lactation crisis, but a signal from the body that it is tired and it’s time to stop lactation. In some cases, nursing mothers notice that less and less milk begins to be produced, and sometimes colostrum is released again from an almost empty breast. Doctors consider this period to be the best for weaning the baby from the breast and stopping breastfeeding.
Before stopping breastfeeding, you should consult a specialist. In some cases, a woman may need medical assistance, then the gynecologist will prescribe special medications. But most often, doctors recommend decoctions of medicinal herbs, for example, sage, and the milk goes away after a few days. After you stop breastfeeding, your nipples may leak a small amount of fluid. This is the norm. However, if the discharge does not stop a year after the end of lactation, you should definitely see a doctor.
Video: formation of lactation after childbirth
Factors that influence a woman's milk production
Very often, young mothers face the problem of not producing enough milk. And we’re not just talking about lactation crises.
Psycho-emotional factors
Doctors explain that the normal process of lactation depends on many factors, so a nursing woman should not only eat right, but also be balanced, in a good mood and enjoy breastfeeding her baby.
Often, a gynecologist can schedule a consultation not only with a breastfeeding specialist, but also with a psychologist. After several sessions, a significant improvement is noted, because during conversations with a specialist, the young mother looks at existing problems differently and learns to find ways to solve them.
In order for breastfeeding to proceed without problems, a woman must avoid stress, nervous strain, and negative emotions. It is also recommended to get more rest, although in the first months after the birth of the baby, not all parents are able to get enough sleep at night. Therefore, doctors recommend making sure to set aside time for yourself to rest and gain strength. For example, a husband can walk with a baby in a stroller outside for several hours to give the young mother the opportunity to sleep or go to a beauty salon, because positive emotions are very useful for a successful lactation process.
There are situations when a woman feels disgusted by breastfeeding her baby. The reasons for this lie deep in the subconscious and require mandatory work with a psychotherapist. If the sessions do not give a positive result, the doctor may recommend completing breastfeeding and switching the baby to formula so as not to traumatize the psyche of mother and baby.
Nutrition for a nursing mother
Medical opinions differ on whether a woman needs to adhere to a diet while breastfeeding. Some insist that in order to avoid problems with the baby’s digestive system, it is necessary to exclude certain foods. Others are sure that the nursing menu does not affect the condition of the baby at all. But experts agree on one thing: there are dishes that help increase or decrease milk production.
During breastfeeding, a woman needs to include in her diet foods containing healthy vitamins and microelements, which are essential for the full development of the child.
Table: foods that help increase or decrease lactation
| Products and dishes that are recommended to be consumed during lactation | Products and dishes that should be excluded from the menu during breastfeeding |
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Video: Dr. Komarovsky about breastfeeding
Modern medicine, despite the development of balanced baby food for infants, including newborns, is still of the opinion that breastfeeding is the best for the full development of the baby. Therefore, even before the baby is born, women are told about lactation: what it is, how to organize the process itself in a short time, how to make sure that they breastfeed their baby for as long as possible. In many ways, the success of breastfeeding depends on the young mother: if she is positive, enjoys feeding her baby and does not have medical recommendations to stop, everything will definitely work out.
Lactation is the process of formation, accumulation and release of breast milk. Its production begins with the release of so-called colostrum, which usually occurs during pregnancy, around the second trimester. Although the lactation period for any woman begins and ends individually.
What is the lactation period?
The time during which a mother feeds her baby with breast milk is called the lactation period. Although colostrum may begin to be released before birth, its structure does not change for several days after the baby is born. Colostrum contains enough nutrients so that the infant's body does not lack them and at the same time prepares to absorb normal breast milk. Mother's antibodies, transmitted along with colostrum, protect the baby from bacteria and viruses in the first days of life.
The lactation process is started by childbirth, usually within two days the mother notices the first sign - breast swelling. Colostrum changes its properties and becomes “mature” milk; its volume also increases, but directly depends on the functioning of the mother’s endocrine system.
What promotes breast milk production?
The main role in the reproduction of breast milk is played by prolactin, which creates milk, and oxytocin, which removes milk out. The level of these hormones is associated not only with the mother’s lifestyle and her mood, it increases due to the baby’s attachment to the breast, thereby increasing the volume of milk produced.
Physiology of lactation
- Lactation always has an individual character, even if it begins in a standard way - with the production of colostrum. The process of further reproduction of milk is closely related to the condition of the mother, the level of necessary hormones, and even how the breasts themselves proceeded. Usually, the increase in the volume of milk produced occurs gradually, but sometimes this happens within 24 hours after birth.
- Sometimes first-born women have delayed lactation - milk appears after a week, but the production process cannot be accelerated in any way, because it depends on the concentration of hormones in the blood.
- Proper feeding of the baby helps in producing the required volume of milk. If you do not breastfeed or do so rarely, your milk will gradually decrease.
- Breast milk allows the baby to receive all the necessary elements from the first days, which are not always contained even in high-quality milk. Lactation is necessary for the baby’s health; it helps strengthen the immune system and stimulates its development.
- Sometimes a lack of milk is associated with problems in the development of the mammary glands due to retarded development of the entire body or diseases of the reproductive system. Other reasons that affect milk supply may include problems with nutrition or routine, overwork, or prolonged stress.
- Spontaneous leakage of milk at moments other than breastfeeding is considered a deviation of lactation and is called galactorrhea. This condition usually occurs due to weakness in the muscle fibers that surround the base of the nipple. It is believed that this is a neurological problem, for a solution to which you should contact a neurologist.
Products that affect lactation
Normalization of lactation is possible naturally or with the help of medications, which are recommended to be used only if results cannot be achieved. Drug stimulation of breast milk production is possible only after a doctor’s prescription. The most gentle option is to eat right and adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
Be sure to drink several liters of fluid and maintain a balance in your diet. You should avoid harmful foods, and your mother’s menu must include:
- low fat meat: chicken, rabbit, veal;
- fish: pike perch, hake, pollock;
- High protein foods: eggs and milk;
- nuts;
- various fermented milk products: kefir, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese;
Mom should not eat fatty, fried foods with lots of seasonings. It is necessary to exclude products with preservatives and artificial colors, carbonated drinks and anything that can cause allergies in the baby: tomatoes, citrus fruits, strawberries, raspberries.
What problems arise during lactation? more of everything?
- . This depends on how the baby latch onto the nipple, but sometimes this happens due to improper skin care, which requires special delicacy. You should definitely watch how the baby grasps the nipple and correct his movements if necessary. If you do not understand the correct actions, you should consult either a doctor for advice or women with experience in breastfeeding. Soapy water dries the skin of the nipples and leads to the formation of cracks, which should be treated with ointments that are safe for the baby. Severe damage to the nipples can interfere with the feeding process, so use silicone nipple shields if necessary.
- - a phenomenon of milk stagnation that occurs due to feeding at a strictly defined time. With lactostasis, the mammary gland burns and hurts, a lump may appear in one part of the breast (depending on where the stagnation occurred), and a rise in temperature may occur. If symptoms of lactostasis occur, the mother first needs to express the stagnant milk, and then regularly put the baby to the breast. It is imperative to consult a doctor if symptoms do not disappear. Complications can be very serious, as they require surgical intervention.
- Lactation crisis- lack of milk, which is temporary. Mostly happens in the first six months after the birth of a child and can recur later. The crisis lasts about a week, but the mother may panic, believing that she will no longer be able to feed the baby. To speed up the end of the crisis, you should increase the number of breastfeedings and try to calm down as much as possible. Mom should be cheerful and rested, and you should also remember to drink more warm liquids. Mostly, such crises occur at three weeks, six weeks, three and six months of age.
Involution of lactation: what is it?
One day, a mother may realize that breastfeeding is burdening her; instead of peace and unity with her baby, she experiences fatigue and heaviness. At such moments, her mood may deteriorate, and her general condition will worsen, even to the point of hair loss. Thus, the body will signal the beginning of the involution stage of lactation. It cannot be confused with a lactation crisis due to different symptoms that do not disappear after a few days, but only get worse.
This stage usually begins when the baby is one and a half years old and signals to the mother that it is time to stop breastfeeding. The baby begins to breastfeed more actively, because instead of the usual volume of mature milk, the gland again produces colostrum, which is not enough to satiate.
Involution of lactation is ideal for weaning a child from breastfeeding, since the supply of nutrients from colostrum will be enough for the baby for about six months so that his body has time to start producing its own antibodies to bacteria instead of using the mother’s, which came with breast milk.
