Breast Feeding, Newborn

The mysterious world of breastfeeding! Why can some mum breastfeed without any issues and others can really struggle with attachment and supply?   

In theory, supply should = demand.

This week P2B has had many mum’s despite unlimited breastfeeding, expressing, skin on skin who cannot produce enough breastmilk for their little one.  This scenario is not as uncommon as one thinks. 

Your breastmilk production is depended on your body’s production of 2 key hormones: oxytocin and prolactin.

Even a quick google search can tell you that prolactin causes your alveoli to take nutrients (proteins, sugars) from your blood supply and turn them into breast milk. 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.

Prolactin is an essential hormone in breastmilk feeding. You start producing it during your pregnancy, but high levels of oestrogen and progesterone in your bloodstream counteract its effects.

When you give birth, the levels of oestrogen and progesterone suddenly drop off. That is when prolactin can start doing its job and stimulate the production of breastmilk.

It is the levels of prolactin in the body that allow breastmilk feeding to continue. That is why it is so important to initiate breast feeding ASAP after your baby is born. Prolactin levels drop between feedings, but every time your baby breastfeeds, or you express, the levels increase, signaling the body to make more breastmilk.

If you are concerned about your breastmilk or need assistance with your breastfeeding journey there is help out there through  your local Child Health Clinic, a Certified Lactation Consultant, and/or the ABA Australian Breastfeeding helpline 1800686265

Did you know that hormones can be influence breastmilk is a positive and negative way too?   

Feeling stressed or anxious for example can influence your breastfeeding journey and therefore so it is essential you reach out for help if needed.

Between lack of sleep and adjusting to a new baby, rising levels of certain hormones such as cortisol can have some effect on  your milk supply.

It is essential to feed your baby on demand. Although this can be exhausting it is the most effective way to increase / establish your supply.

Dehydration or dieting can also have an impact of milk supply. Adequate hydration and nutrition is important for breast milk production.

Expressing 30 minutes (not immediately) after a feed may also help increase your supply and/or stimulation

Some mums can go 10 to 12 hours between their longest stretch of expressing without any effect on their supply.  Others can only go 3 to 4 hours. Every breastfeeding mother has to figure out her own “magic number of hours” of when to express. 

Medication and natural therapies can also assist with supply, although it is essential that you seek medical guidance before taking these. Please see your chosen health care Professional.

So the next mum you chat to – Don’t ask the question about how she is feeding, don’t judge or give advice because I can 100% assure you she is done everything and MORE to do what is best for her baby …… just give her a hug and tell her that she is AMAZING and doing everything RIGHT!

 

Exclusive breastfeeding means that the infant receives breastmilk (including mother’ own expressed breast milk) and allows the infant to receive oral hydration solution, drops, syrups (vitamins, minerals, medicines), but nothing else.

Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy 2019 and beyond

 

WHO Recommendations infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Exclusive breastfeeding means that the infant receives breastmilk (including mother’ own expressed breast milk) and allows the infant to receive oral hydration solution, drops, syrups (vitamins, minerals, medicines), but nothing else.

Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods, while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or beyond.

https://www.who.int/tools/elena/interventions/exclusive-breastfeeding

 

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