Breastfeeding: How is this possible?
Milk begins to be produced from the fourth month of pregnancy under the influence of estrogen, progesterone and placental lactogen.
At birth, the placenta causes the levels of progesterone fall, triggering the rise of milk about three days after. Other hormones, such as prolactin and oxytocin regulate the production of breast milk: first aid in the production of milk, the second triggers the muscles to his ejection. Secreted in the alveoli, the milk is stored until feeding. As is the effective suction nipple which secrete hormones, more the baby suckles, the more milk production increases.
Numbers to know
A newborn baby needs to breastfeed 8 to 12 times per 24 hours. The storage capacity of the milk varies from one woman to another 80 ml to 600 ml. Milk production is between 700 and 800 ml per day on average.
How to prepare for breastfeeding?
The physical point of view, the breasts prepare themselves naturally during pregnancy increase their volume, development of Montgomery glands in the areola and production of colostrum (first "milk" produced the first ten days, rich in antibodies) .
Creams designed to "harden" the nipple and to prepare for the baby's sucking is not necessarily effective against small problems that can be encountered during lactation (cracks, blockages ...).
However, preparation for breastfeeding can be in the head. For this, it is possible to learn from professionals, maternity or discussion groups devoted to breastfeeding, but also on its practices and focus on the needs and behavior of a normal newborn.
How to initiate breastfeeding?
Successful breastfeeding mostly through an update in early and frequent feedings, even before the rise of milk (two or three days after delivery). Indeed, the body continues to produce colostrum, rich in protective against infections, perfectly adapted to the needs of the newborn.
Within a set every two hours on average at birth, as often as the baby expresses the need, ensures your milk faster and more abundant because of frequent feedings are all signals to the body of the mother which increases the production of milk as the baby's needs are important.
About three days after birth, the fall in progesterone triggers the rise of real breast milk. This causes tightness and hardening of the breasts. The process of milk ejection is not immediate as soon as the within: it takes two to three minutes for the effective suction to start.
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