Definition: The production & secretion of milk by mammary glands in the breast.

This happens in 4 stages during pregnancy and after delivery.

•  During pregnancy breast tissue proliferates resulting in increase of ducts and sacs for storage of milk needed for breast feeding. This is the stage of MAMMOGENESIS.
• Milk secretion occurs into the numerous sacs developed in the previous stage under the influence of a hormone- prolactin, after the delivery of baby. This occurs around 3 to 5 days after delivery. This does not occur in pregnancy as high levels of estrogen & progesterone hormone inhibits the effect of prolactin. After delivery levels of estrogen & progesterone decrease substantially. This is the stage of LACTOGENESIS.
• This is the stage when milk secreted into the numerous small sacs in breast tissue is pumped out into the bigger ducts of the breast near the nipple from where it can be expressed by mother or the child can suck it. Happens due to contractions of minute muscles in the sac walls under the influence of OXYTOCIN hormone. This is produced in the mothers brain when the baby sucks on the mother’s breast. So frequent suckling of breast by baby is essential for milk ejection from breast. This is the stage of GALACTOKINESIS.
• Sustenance of milk production is possible only by regular suckling of maternal breast by baby following proper technique. Avoidance of mental stress and breast engorgement is essential for this stage of GALACTOPOIESIS.

IMPORTANT STEPS FOR EARLY INITIATION OF MILK PRODUCTION:

• Put the baby to mother’s breast within 1 hour of birth.
• Encourage mother to drink plenty of fluids.
• Let the baby suck mother’s breast every 2-3 hours as needed.
• Avoid mental stress, breast engorgement.
• Completely avoid feeding anything else to the baby (EXCLUSIVE BREAST FEEDING).
• Avoid bottle feeding.

TECHNIQUE OF BREASTFEEDING:

Support the baby on the arm of the same side as the breast you want to feed from. Sit up straight — preferably in a chair with armrests. Cradle your baby in an arm, with your baby’s head resting comfortably in the crook of your elbow while he or she faces your breast. For extra support, place a pillow on your lap.

For any problems or queries about breast feeding consult your gynecologist or pediatrician for proper management.