Breastfeeding Milk Supply Period
Where does milk come from when breastfeeding? In a nutshell, breast milk comes from the female ducts in a woman’s breasts. One of the first physical changes a pregnant woman notices is the change in her breasts – they become more swollen or tender and the areoles also darken. More than this outward change, there are changes inside the breast that are occurring too. The placenta which is developing stimulates the release of progesterone and estrogen. These start the biological process that is responsible for lactation.
A woman’s breasts are made up of milk glands, protective fat and supportive tissue. However in a new mother’s breasts the fat cells are replaced by glandular tissue. The female breast contains several milk ducts. During pregnancy these milk ducts multiply and grow in size due to the hormones mentioned above. The ducts divide into smaller canals close to the chest wall. These are called
ductules. At the end of each ductile is a group of minute grape like sacs, called alveoli. These sacs are where the milk is made. A cluster of alveoli is known as a lobule. Clusters of
lobules are called lobes and each breast contains 15-20 lobes. There is one milk duct for every lobe. After birth, your body releases a hormone called
prolactin. Once prolactin is released the alveoli start milk production. Prolactin makes the
alveoli take proteins and sugars (nutrients) from the blood and converts them to breast milk. Before lactation actually begins, the breasts get swollen and painful. This is usually relieved within the first few days of nursing.
During breastfeeding the milk gets to your baby in the following way. Your body receives the signal to breastfeed either when the baby is crying or when he/she starts to suckle. The
hormone oxytocin is released when this occurs. Oxytocin makes the cells around the alveoli contract and ejects the milk down to your milk ducts. This process is called the let down reflex. Initially the breasts will produce Colostrum. This is a thick creamy, yellow colored substance that is high in protein and low in sugar and fat. It is most beneficial for the baby as it contains antibodies that are being passed from the mother. Regular breast milk will come in within 3- 4 days. The actual amount of milk you will produce depends on how much your baby feeds. The more he feeds the more milk you will produce.
Submitted by P T on July 22, 2010 at 04:53
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