©Pregnancy bliss 2008

Continues from previous page

 

48 hours for the milk production to commence is a long time

The newborn baby does not have to wait 48 hours to start feeding. Shortly after delivery, the breasts produce a protein-rich fluid called colostrum. The baby can be put on the breast within minutes or hours of delivery and can feed on this. The act of suckling should actually be encouraged from as early as possible, because it positively facilitates milk production.

 

Other important hormones in the production of breast milk

Apart from prolactin, several other hormones play a lesser but still important role in milk production. They include insulin, cortisol, oxytocin and even thyroid hormones. Even estrogen is important, in a negative way.

 

Estrogen levels need to be low to facilitate the production and maintenance of lactation. This is why the use of the combined oral contraceptive pill (which contains estrogen) and breast-feeding are incompatible.

 

The role of the hormone prolactin in milk production and breast-feeding

As mentioned earlier, prolactin is crucial but the high levels seen during pregnancy are not essential to ensure continued milk production. After the first fourteen to sixteen weeks post-delivery, the levels of this hormone fall to the non-pregnant level. However, as long as suckling is maintained, milk will continue to be produced.

 

Ensuring adequate breast milk production

The simplest and most effective measure to ensure adequate breast milk production is ensuring adequate fluid intake. Next is to stimulate the breast tissue by suckling the baby as frequently as possible in the early phase. The rest is sorted out by the interplay of the hormones in the body.

 

Feeding patterns for a newborn baby

 

Interval between feeds for a newborn

In strict natural terms, feeding should be on demand. Hunger is a natural instinct and the baby will demand a feed whenever the need arises. This way, there is virtually no risk of overfeeding and, as long as the milk produced is adequate, no risk of underfeeding either. A new baby never demands a breast when he or she is not hungry and, even if it is offered in such circumstances, the tendency is for the baby to decline.

 

When ‘on demand’ breast-feeding is not an option

Experience has shown that feeding every three to four hours roughly mimics the natural demand cycle and may be ideal for those mothers who want to fit feeding around their other activities.

A mother should not expect the baby fed this way to be waiting contentedly for the regimented hour to strike. Rather, it is more of case of "where-have-you-been-all-this­ time-mom-while-I-am-dying-of-hunger" wails. It does, however, work pretty well.

 

It is important for a new mother to know that roughly six hours out of every twenty-four will be spent on feeding the baby, whatever the method. This cumulative duration lessens gradually as the baby grows and is fed less frequently.

 

 

Continues next page