Understanding Breast Feeding

Since we have established that breast-feeding is best for your baby for the first six months of his life. It is a good idea to understand how the breast produces milk. Each breast is divided into lobes and this is where milk is produced. Individual lobes have as many as 15 to 25 tubes that convey milk to the nipples. These tubes widen on the way to the areola (the dark area around your nipples) where milk collects before being expressed. Studies with the help of infrared photographs show that the breasts grow hot when a baby cries. As a result blood rushes to the breasts bringing with it sugars to the milk glands.

As the baby suckles, oxytocin is released into the bloodstream, causing the muscle cells around the milk gland to contract and squeeze out milk that tastes sweet. The squeezing is also known as "the let-down reflex'. Before this reflex takes place, the baby gets some milk. This milk is called 'fore milk', which satisfies the baby's immediate need and is rich in protein. The milk that follow is known as 'hind milk' is more satisfying as it, has more fat and hence more calories. The 'let-down reflex' has to be stimulated for milk supply to build up. Let your baby decide how much milk needs to be produced. Feed him on demand do not regulate his feeding. If you do this the baby and your breasts will work in coordination and your breasts will produce milk according to your baby's requirement.