Breast Milk
Milk breasts produce is perfect nutrition source for infants as they are the only ones for whom breast milk is produced. Breast milk is produced only in females as part of natural process but in males breast producing milk is result of some ailment such as gynecomastia. In females, milk breast secrete is due to influence of prolactin and oxytocin hormones.
Immediately after birth females produce thick, yellowish fluid called colostrum from breasts. Colostrum is rich in Immunoglobulin IgA, proteins, digestive enzymes, minerals and vitamins. This IgA immunoglobulin coats gastrointestinal tract of newborns and protects gut until babies own immune system is fully developed and functional. It also acts as laxative and promotes passing of baby first stools called meconium.
Breast milk takes ingredients from the food mothers are taking and babies draw their nutrition content from milk breasts produce. Thus mother’s lifestyle widely affects breast milk production. As mother’s diet varies from day to day the composition of milk breasts produce also varies. If mother is not on healthy diet, then baby also does not get proper nutrients. Also drug intake, alcohol consumption and smoking have adverse effects.
The normal milk is usually produced after three to four days of birth and is different from colostrum as this breast milk has watery consistency. Whenever feeding, the initial milk produced has high carbohydrate (lactose) and low fat content and is called “foremilk”. Later the milk becomes creamier with high fat concentration is called “hind-milk” and has sleepy effect on baby.
Breast milk production is directly related to demand of baby. The more often you nurse, the more milk breasts produce. Sucking breasts stimulates hormone prolactin which increases milk production in breast glands and also results in increase release of oxytocin. Oxytocin in turn initiates contraction and expels milk from alveoli to ducts and then to nipples allowing free flow of breast milk. This process is known as “Let-Down reflex”.
But in many cases mothers might not be able to express milk at all or breasts producing milk only in little amounts. Common reasons for this may be improper latch on technique, birth control pills or other medications that suppress milk production, stress, irritation, illness, fatigue, hormonal imbalance etc. On the contrary, in some cases, milk filled breasts may cause extreme pain and uneasiness. It can be relieved by sucking breast milk or pumping it out.
Increased pumping of breast milk can also increase breast milk production. Also use of drug ‘Domperidone’ can help in increasing breast milk. Buying breast milk for sale is also another option for mother unable to breast feed. Milk Banks are present in many states which provide either free stored breast milk or breast milk for sale purposes. Using donated or sold breast milk is necessary if your baby is unable to digest and has allergy to instant formula components.
Breastfeeding was outdated and out of practice in late 1950’s and use of infant or baby formulas was totally in. But later, as the benefits of Breastfeeding were realized it came back into fashion in mid 1970’s.
If you are a working woman but you still want to give your baby the wholesomeness of breast milk when you maternity leave finishes, option for this is breast milk storage. For breast milk storage, you must first use breast pump. For detailed information view our page Breast Pumps.
After pumping breast milk, you should store it in proper storage continers. Soft Plastic storage bags and hard containers made or glass or plastic are the choices available.
At the back of freezer, breastmilk can be stored for upto three months. Many times, the fatty part of milk gets separated and floats on top. This does’t mean that milk has problem. All you need to do is to shake the storage bottle or bag.
Frozen breast milk should be placed in refrigerator 24 hours before it has to be used, this process is called “Thawing”. Try to taste breast milk to see how much hot or cold it is according to your baby’s likeness.
Breast milk drinking gives your baby a happy, healthy, cry-free life. So life-partners, family members infact everyone should encourage and support women breastfeeding their babies.
