98% of women have the physiological ability to breastfeed for as long as they want... The World Health Organization recommends exclusively breastfeeding infants up to 6 months of age, and continuing to breastfeed for 2 years or more.

Each of them is initially designed for hyperlactation - that is, for the production of a very large amount of milk. Therefore, it is important to know and understand how the breast actually "works".

2 hormones are responsible for the production and secretion of milkwhich are produced by the pituitary gland: oxytocin and prolactin.

Prolactin

Prolactin is directly responsible for milk production... It is produced ONLY in response to the baby's breastfeeding. Moreover, if the child is not properly attached to the breast or does not suck effectively (weakly), then it will be poorly developed. It looks like this: the baby begins to suckle at the breast - a signal is sent to the brain about this - the pituitary gland of the brain begins to produce prolactin - prolactin enters the bloodstream - due to this, milk is produced between feedings. When the baby starts sucking again, it is this prolactin produced in the previous feed that causes the mammary glands to produce milk.

Those. every time we feed a baby, we "order" milk for the next feeding. Prolactin does not live in the blood for long, about an hour and a half, so feeding every 3-4 hours reduces milk production approximately exponentially. It is necessary to feed the child at his request, but at least 2 hours during the first 3 months.

Oxytocin

The second hormone, oxytocin, is responsible for the secretion of milk from the breast.... Its production is influenced by a lot of things: the baby's sucking on the breast, the sight, smell, crying, thoughts about the baby. Various enjoyment. Drinks to increase lactation. This hormone suppresses stress, fatigue and self-doubt.

Its production during feeding looks like this: the baby sucks at the breast - the pituitary gland produces oxytocin - oxytocin makes the muscles of the breast contract, helping to squeeze milk out of the milk ducts - a woman feels this as a squeezing, tingling and buzzing in the breast, calling it "milk rush". As you establish successful lactation, these “hot flashes” are no longer felt, but this does not mean that oxytocin is not produced.

Colostrum

In the first days after the birth of the baby, the mother's mammary glands produce the so-called colostrum, i.e. unripe breast milk. Colostrum contains 3-5 times more protein than mature breast milk. The level of lactose is 1.5-2 times less than in mature milk, and it also surpasses it in the content of fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, K), ascorbic acid, mineral elements - sodium, phosphorus, zinc, as well as class A immunoglobulins.

The amount of fat in colostrum is about the same as in mature breast milk, but colostrum fat contains a large amount of phospholipids, cholesterol, linoleic (essential polyunsaturated) acid, saturated fatty acids (myristic, palmitic, stearic) necessary for building cell membranes at this age The activity of the hydrolytic enzymes that make up colostrum - trypsin, triacylglycerol lipase and alpha-amylase - stimulates the digestive process in the gastrointestinal tract of the newborn. Its caloric content is 1500 kcal / l on the first day, then decreases by day 5 to 700 kcal / l.

The closeness of colostrum proteins to blood serum proteins and high caloric content make it especially suitable for feeding newborns and premature babies. That is why colostrum is called "white blood". Colostrum has an immunological protection function, which interprets the advisability of latching a baby to the breast immediately after birth.

Mature milk

Mature milk is divided into "front" and "back"... The anterior one is produced between feedings and accumulates in the expansion of the ducts in front of the nipple. It is very rich in carbohydrates, the most important of which is lactose. This milk is very thin and not at all fatty. many women believe that their milk is not of high quality because it is "transparent". But this is the correct "front" milk. This is a drink for a child. Back milk is produced ONLY at the time of feeding. It does not “fountain” like “frontal”, but is squeezed out drop by drop.

It is rich in protein and fat. It contains enzymes that help digest lactose, namely lactase and lipase.

If the child is limited in attachments, often change the breast and take it away, then the child may begin lactase deficiency, which is very simple to treat - just establish proper breastfeeding. The baby may also receive less milk if he does not latch on to the breast correctly, for example, if only the nipple or a small part of the areola is sucking.

Influence of breastfeeding on a baby

The baby needs to suckle the breast not only for food, but also for calming, bodily contact with the mother etc .. Do not be afraid to put the baby to the breast as often as he asks. He will not eat more than he needs. Regurgitation is also not worth afraid. Normally, the child has the right to regurgitate every time after feeding 1-2 tbsp. and once a day "fountain" -3 st. l. Whether or not a baby has enough milk is checked with a wet diaper test.

For a day, we remove the diaper and count the urination. Normally, there should be 8 or more of them. If there are less than 8, but more than 5, contact a breastfeeding consultant. The stomach does not actually participate in the digestion of milk. Milk passes through it in transit, is in it for 15-20 minutes, and then enters the intestine, where it is digested and absorbed by the intestinal walls.

With frequent feeding, the stomach DOESN'T STRETCH, and should not rest at night, it almost does not work anyway.

After 6 weeks of life, the child begins to poop less often than in the first weeks of life.... This is due to the establishment of lactation - colostrum contains laxative components, but mature milk does not. Therefore, a child can poop 3-4 times a day (a little bit) or once every few days. Milk is well absorbed by the body and its "waste" gradually accumulates in the intestines and "leaves" once every few days.

Their color is yellow or light brown, inclusions of white lumps (fat) are possible, the consistency is mushy, the smell of curd. If all the characteristics of the stool correspond to the norm, then the child does not have constipation and does not need laxatives. Please note that pediatric norms are designed for artificial people for whom constipation is common and very harmful, so they must poop every day. A nursing mother needs to consume as much fluid as she wants.

Now it's time for us to talk about what other recommendations can be given for those women who are in the period of completing breastfeeding. There are several nuances in this matter, in addition to nutrition and the possibility of weight gain, in particular, it is the stabilization of the hormonal background, the alignment of the psycho-emotional background and the return to the usual, non-nursing life. Let's start with the question of stabilizing the hormonal background of a woman, as a guarantee of her health and normal well-being.

Questions about hormones

We remember very well that lactation is a hormone-dependent process, and it will be directly caused by a stable amount of prolactin and oxytocin. What recommendations need to be taken into account by mothers who complete the process of breastfeeding so that all functions of the female body can return to normal as soon as possible? It must be remembered that the hormonal background of the body can depend on many factors, sometimes seemingly quite insignificant, and the production of hormones by the body in the required quantities and ratios is a very delicate and sensitive system. The production of hormones is directly related to both the diet and the general regimen of the day, as well as to the influence of the environmental environment, work, and everyday factors. Significantly, the level of hormones can change due to viral infections, serious diseases of the body, or many other processes. As a result, a woman may lose her menstrual cycle and disrupt lactation from seemingly insignificant factors, especially if these are psycho-emotional experiences.

If you need some time to return to normal life again - you don't need to actively change everything in your life on the very first day without breastfeeding - you are still in a special state of physiological stress. You need to part with your image of a nursing woman gradually, without sharp jumps and distortions. Having finished breastfeeding, you do not need to immediately go to work on the same day (if there is, of course, such an opportunity), you need to give your body time to adapt to new conditions of existence for it. And remember the recommendations that existed for you earlier - if breastfeeding needs more rest, eat correctly and fully, spend more time in the fresh air, then you will need the same regimen in the first two to three months after completing breastfeeding - you still have enough vulnerable and fragile. And in general - a woman needs to take care of herself at any age - if a mother gets sick, who will take care of all family members?

How long will hormone restructuring last in a newly lactating female body? On average, it takes at least three months for a full-fledged hormonal change, on average it is from two to six months based on the initial characteristics of the woman's body. And this is relevant for all areas where hormones are involved - so, for those women who take hormonal contraceptive contraceptives, it is also worth skipping at least three months from the cancellation in order to start a full-fledged conception. This is necessary to stabilize and level the hormonal background. And the same applies to the issue of using hormonal contraception after the end of the lactation period - it is worth letting the body rebuild itself to a new stage of work for it and giving the body rest for at least three to six months, and not taking pills immediately after feeding. You need to give your body time to recover and rest from feeding, and only then use hormonal contraceptives.

However, in the overwhelming majority of cases, everything turns out to be just the opposite - the mother goes to work at the same time as the breastfeeding period ends, and begins to take hormonal contraceptives to protect herself from another unwanted pregnancy. Moreover, many young women look forward to the end of their breastfeeding period in order to go on diets and lose weight immediately. They are engaged in all kinds of fasting and "medical" cleansing, use fasting days and so on. In general, they stress their still very vulnerable organism with increased loads. Stop the girl - you shouldn't torture yourself like that. Breastfeeding a baby is a very serious and big job for the body for more than one year, it requires considerable expenditure of the body not only in terms of calories, but also the resource ratio of the woman's body. Therefore, after breastfeeding ends, you deserve rest and recovery. Take care of yourself and your body seriously!

Signs of completion and possible problems

But by what signs of the body can a woman understand that her completion of lactation was quite successful and that the function of breastfeeding has already curtailed painlessly, and the body has already rebuilt itself to its usual life? First of all, with an early end of lactation, this is the formation of regular menstruation, although many long-term breastfeeding women note that they do not have menstruation all the time of lactation. So, from the moment breastfeeding is canceled, menstruation should fully recover within six months. If, with the formation of menstruation or without it, signs of a pathological premenstrual syndrome - PMS appear, pain occurs in the mammary glands or psycho-emotional instability is formed - this indicates that the correct hormonal adjustment of the body is lost. In such cases, you need to contact a specialist to find out why such changes occur in the body and how you need to help your body to fully adjust its previous functions.

But what kind of doctor should a woman who has recently completed breastfeeding and worried about her hormonal balance need to contact? The question is complicated - it seems that this is not exactly the task of a gynecologist, and not a mammologist. And this can sometimes become a problem, because it seems that the state of health does not suffer much, practically nothing bothers me, except for a few days a month, and I don’t really want to go to doctors and sit in queues, leaving a child with someone. Many women generally do not consider it a big problem that menstruation does not come after the end of the breastfeeding period - and they live with it for a long time, not finding time for themselves and accumulating a load of problems, which can then result in serious health problems. By the way, normal menstruation after a period of breastfeeding may not come due to a deficiency in a woman's body of certain substances and microelements - it can be protein, iodine or iron, just in fact there is simply nothing to produce hormones for the normal functioning of the body! The basis of hormones for the female body is proteins and fats, and often no hormonal correction is needed for the onset of menstruation - it is enough to adjust the diet and drink a course of multivitamin and mineral supplements.

It also happens that against the background of breastfeeding, menstruation can occur quite early - and earlier than six months too. This can be perceived as signals from the body that lactation is beginning to come to an end, because it is prolactin that blocks menstrual functions? Can the appearance of menstruation be perceived as a signal of a decrease in the amount of prolactin and a danger to breastfeeding? This statement is not entirely true - there is no direct relationship between the occurrence of menstruation after childbirth and lactation. Of course, as the number of applications decreases, the prolactin level decreases and it may no longer be enough to block a woman's menstruation. But, at the same time, it may well be enough for a woman to produce enough milk to feed a child for another year, two, or even three years. And even after a woman has stopped breastfeeding and she has full regular menstruation, a certain amount of free prolactin is still circulating in the blood - the woman's body cannot abruptly stop producing it the next day after the end of feeding.

Therefore, for some time there may be slight inflows of milk in the breast, and rather not even hot flashes, but breast fullness. And if suddenly the baby kisses the breast, milk may appear in a sufficiently large amount. But if an increased amount of prolactin persists in a woman for a sufficiently long period after the end of lactation, this can lead to an irregular menstrual cycle, irritability and emotionality. This condition outside lactation must be corrected. With an increased level of prolactin after lactation, doctors talk about the psychogenic "not letting go" from the baby's breast. This is a kind of manifestation of hyper-protectiveness and heightened maternal instinct. This is work on yourself - after all, lactation is not eternal and when the baby will still give up breast!

Oxytocin is one of the most important hormones for the normal functioning of the human body. The pituitary gland is working tirelessly to create it. It then sends it directly into the bloodstream. Oxytocin during breastfeeding and pregnancy in the female body is of great importance. That is why in some cases it must be supplied to the body in a synthetic form.

The value of oxytocin

This hormone affects the muscular system of the uterus. That is why the onset of the birth itself is associated with oxytocin. For nursing mothers, the hormone helps to shrink the uterus and return it to its original size. You can naturally increase the production of oxytocin with regular latching of the baby to the breast.

When feeding in a woman's body, not only the production of oxytocin, but also prolactin, is actively working. They are used in combination to create a lactation product and to contract muscles that facilitate sucking by the baby.

Artificial oxytocin and features of its use

Oxytocin during breastfeeding in sufficient quantities should be automatically excreted by the woman's body. Synthetic drugs can be used in the following cases:

there is a weakening of labor;
bleeding in the postpartum period;
lactostasis.

Milk is the perfect food for babies. Nature has provided for all the features of the child's body. It is important for parents to do their best to continue breastfeeding. Our parents also tried to accustom the baby to a certain diet, so they fed him strictly by the hour. This method is considered ineffective today. Also, mothers are not advised to give a baby a pacifier. Otherwise, the likelihood of breast rejection increases.

The hormone is released when the baby is regularly applied to the breast

An infant should be fed on demand. In this case, the baby will grow and develop correctly, because all the necessary vitamins and minerals will enter his body. The woman does not have to make special preparations for feeding. Her body will do everything on its own. The main thing for her is to maintain a positive attitude and avoid serious mistakes. At first, it will be difficult to understand the needs of the child. However, the process is fine-tuned within just a couple of months.

Prolactin is a hormone that is directly involved in the production of breast milk in the body. It starts the processes in cells. Scientists were able to establish that the amount of prolactin in the body increases sharply at the moment when the baby begins to suckle.

With hepatitis B, prolactin is produced in a woman's body in sufficient quantities between 3-8 in the morning. That is why during this period it is important to organize breast sucking, which will stimulate this process. Mom must understand that when feeding, the baby consumes milk, which was produced by the previous portion of the hormone. Additionally, you should ensure proper feeding. Correct latching of the nipple has a direct effect on the production of prolactin in the body. To increase the volume of its production, the following factors should be taken into account:

position during breastfeeding;
the frequency of application;
mom must feed the baby at night.

Milk is excreted by the breast under the direct influence of oxytocin. The hormone begins to be produced within minutes of active sucking. It weakens smooth muscles. This makes it possible to achieve an easier milk flow. It easily enters the baby's mouth through the ducts. It is under the influence of oxytocin that milk begins to flow. A woman at the time of its manifestation may feel breast engorgement. The process is also known as tide. The hormone also has a direct effect on a woman's mood and psycho-emotional state. Under its influence, the appearance and smell of the breast changes, which makes it as attractive as possible for the child. If the process did not occur during the feeding period, then the mother may have a leak.

Oxytocin is given by injection

Oxytocin is produced during or before feeding. Its amount may not be sufficient if a woman is very tired or stressed. In this case, the muscles cannot fully relax, so it becomes difficult for the baby to suck milk, and he may refuse to breast. The situation is dangerous, because in this case the liquid cannot be removed even with a breast pump. Most often, in this case, mom begins to think that lactation has stopped due to stress. The situation can be avoided if the woman is in favorable conditions and does not worry about trifles. In this case, her body will be able to relax well and give the baby the necessary food. Only good nutrition guarantees the correct growth and development of the baby.

It is possible to increase the volume of milk with the use of correctly selected hormones. Prolactin decreases in quantity if the baby cannot properly grasp the nipple, mom does not feed him regularly and skips night sessions. In this case, oxytocin depends only on the emotional state of the mother.

The effect of oxytocin on the female body after childbirth

It is advisable to inject the hormone in order to stimulate the active contraction of the uterus. The hypothalamus is used to produce oxytocin. Then it remains in the pituitary gland and is released into the blood only after a certain push. The hormone is considered female, since it is present in small quantities in the male body.

The hormone has a number of important functions:

Regulates the muscular system of the uterus. Thanks to this, after a certain period, it can return to its previous state. If the process is disrupted, then the risk of developing inflammation of the cavity increases. The situation is dangerous with omission, which may end in loss.
The hormone activates milk production. Sazu after labor in the female body produces colostrum. The process occurs only when there is a sufficient amount of oxytocin in the blood.
This substance is used by the body as an antidepressant. Thanks to him, it is possible to get rid of the state of anxiety. The woman additionally feels trust and complete safety under its influence.

Blood is taken for analysis in order to analyze the amount of hormones

An unnatural analogue is prescribed if the tests have confirmed an insufficient amount of oxytocin in the blood. The situation arises against the background of complications that may arise after childbirth. In this case, the woman is diagnosed with bleeding, stretching of some internal organs and other pathologies in the work of the reproductive system.

How are oxytocin and lactation related?

For babies, breast milk is considered the ideal food. Oxytocin is essential for its production and for uterine contraction. The situation also directly depends on the amount of prolactin in the blood. Hormones must be normal for breastfeeding to take place without unnecessary complications.

Oxytocin is used by the female body to actively stimulate milk production in the glands. During sucking, a special signal is transmitted from the nipple, which gives an impetus to the brain to increase the production of the hormone.
It reduces pain while sucking. Also, the hormone numbes the process of expressing with a breast pump.

To determine the amount of oxytocin in the blood, it is necessary to donate blood for analysis. The research is carried out any day.

An increase in the amount of oxytocin in the blood can be determined according to the following signs:

The active release of milk while the baby is crying.
Milk flows from one nipple when the baby eats from the opposite.
When breastfeeding, you can feel a slight tingling sensation in the chest.

It is advisable to use injections of synthetic oxytocin if a woman has problems with feeding. The drug should be prescribed by a doctor based on the tests received. In addition, it should be noted that the drug often causes side effects, so the feasibility of injections is assessed on an individual basis.

Oxytocin improves the mood of mother and baby

Side effect

The synthetic drug delays the outflow of urine, so a woman may experience swelling.
A decrease in the intensity of the heartbeat is observed only in the mother while taking the drug. If it is used during labor, then the pathology can subsequently be detected in the child.
A high dose of oxytocin can lead to the creation of a strong tone of the muscles of the uterus. The situation in medical practice is known as tetany.
If a woman is allergic to this drug, then she may experience a severe allergic reaction and even anaphylactic shock.
As a rule, immediately after the administration of a large dose of the drug, a woman may experience nausea and vomiting. During lactation, this is a natural reaction to the entry of oxytocin into the blood.

If a woman has at least one of these negative manifestations, then it will be necessary to immediately seek medical help. In this case, it is advisable to completely change the treatment strategy.

It is very common to hear from HW specialists that the happier the mother, the more milk she has. Why is this happening? It's not just a psychological aspect, although the importance of good rest and good mood for a young mother can hardly be overestimated.

The hormone responsible for lactation is produced in the woman's brain, in the deepest part of it, and enters the pituitary gland, where it accumulates and regulates its release into the blood.

Prolactin is responsible for milk production. If it remains during pregnancy (the placenta regulates its level), then after childbirth it becomes very high, reaching its maximum values \u200b\u200bwhile feeding the baby.

Therefore, the more the baby sucks at the breast, the more milk the mother produces. And if the child does not have enough, you need to provide attachment to the breast on demand.

Feeding by the hour in the first months after the baby is born can significantly reduce lactation. The brain adjusts the amount of milk it produces according to the existing need, and decreases secretion if the need decreases. And if demand grows, so does supply. Night feeds are especially important - during this time, the largest amount of prolactin is produced.

Milk reserves

There is a common misconception that milk can accumulate in the breast. However, an attempt to accumulate milk will also lead to a decrease in its amount, and can also cause lactostasis - milk stagnation in the breast.

Expression helps to increase the amount of milk, and in this way you can maintain lactation during prolonged separation from the baby, for example, if the baby or mother is in the hospital. It is important not to forget to pump at night, for more active milk production.

Prolactin is also responsible for a mother's deepest affection for her baby. In the animal kingdom, he provides maternal instincts in relation to the cub, care for his life and safety.

The high level of prolactin in the first months after childbirth inhibits ovulation, however, the timing of its appearance is different for each woman. Someone has menstruation six months after childbirth, while someone forgets about it for more than a whole year. The more actively the mother breastfeeds the baby, the more likely it is for a prolonged absence of menstruation. It is important to remember that the first ovulation will occur before the first menstrual period, so protection is still necessary.

Often, young mothers experience a complete lack of sex drive. This is not only due to general fatigue or lack of sleep, but also due to the active production of prolactin.

Do not worry about this - over time, everything will return to its former course, and the sensations during sex may even become more vivid.

- a hormone of pleasure. All kinds of love and friendship, trust, joy and happiness are impossible without the production of this hormone. It begins to be actively produced during pregnancy, contributing to a relaxed and peaceful expectation of the baby.

And also oxytocin is an indispensable helper in childbirth, and also helps the mother to quickly forget all the unpleasant moments of contractions and attempts. During childbirth by caesarean section, the release of oxytocin is difficult, leading to manifestations of postpartum depression.

Oxytocin makes muscles contract:

uterus;
vagina;
pectorals (near the nipples and areolas).

Therefore, the importance of oxytocin in breastfeeding is exceptional. The release of lactation hormone during breastfeeding makes it easier for the baby to access milk - without it, it will be difficult to get what you want.

And also during active feeding, the uterus contracts, which is especially important during the postpartum recovery period. This helps her to return to her normal size faster and promotes faster healing, which means less chance of infections.

The hormone responsible for lactation is very sensitive to various manifestations of stress. During such periods, increased production of adrenaline begins, which blocks oxytocin. In this case, milk delivery is difficult. It does not disappear from the chest, but it is impossible to receive it.

Harmful manifestations of stress

Any manifestations of negative emotions from the mother can hinder the production of oxytocin:

pain;
fear;
uncertainty;
anxiety.

All these experiences are detrimental to good lactation. Many mothers during pregnancy are worried about a possible lack of milk, so after giving birth they really experience problems with lactation.

How can you avoid the negative effects of stress? There are several guidelines:

first of all, it is necessary to remember that it is important for the health and development of the child - a healthy, happy and rested mother;
some of the household responsibilities can be taken over by relatives;
when anxiety or negative emotions appear, you need to try to relax as much as possible, drink warm tea, think about pleasant things;
it is very useful to keep the baby more in her arms or just next to her - when a mother sees her baby, feels him, thinks about him - this stimulates the production of oxytocin.

Nesting method

Breastfeeding counselors know that hormones so important to lactation require a constant presence of your baby. Therefore, they actively use the so-called nesting method in their practice. Its essence is that the baby is constantly with his mother - this will help him quickly adapt to the new world for him, to understand how he is needed and important for his mother.

The atmosphere of the maternity hospital, difficult childbirth and recovery, the possible separation of mother and baby are often detrimental to their instincts, and the "nest" method helps them establish the right connections. If the baby was born prematurely, by cesarean section, if the mother refuses or does not have milk, “nesting” is necessary.

The basic rules of this method:

the child and mother are constantly close;
all baby care procedures are carried out only by the mother;
use of an ergonomic backpack or sling, frequent carrying on the hands;
night sleep should only be joint;

the most frequent contact with the baby
feeding is carried out on demand;
it is forbidden to use any breast substitutes such as bottles or pacifiers.

Lactation inhibitor

A few months after childbirth, prolactin loses its primary importance, its level decreases, the peaks cease to be so pronounced. However, the amount of milk in the breast does not decrease (unless the number of feedings is reduced).

If milk production depends only on prolactin, and its delivery to the baby depends on oxytocin, then why does not milk disappear with a decrease in prolactin levels? Why is it that when a baby refuses to breastfeed, which produces more liters of milk daily, it does not overflow? Why do women who, on purpose or forcibly breastfeed with one breast, stop filling the other breast?

Here comes the third most important hormone for breastfeeding, recently discovered by scientists - FIL (feedback inhibitor of lactation) - a feedback inhibitor of lactation. It is a substance designed to slowly stop milk production.

This hormone is present in the milk of all mammals without exception, it determines its quantitative production. When there is a lot of milk in the breast, its production stops, and if the breast is empty, there is an increased production of new.

The formula is quite simple - how much milk is consumed, so much needs to be replenished. The body experiences a little confusion only in the first few days after childbirth - therefore, the woman feels overflowing of the breast, but then lactation is established and everything happens in strict accordance with the needs of the baby.

It often happens that breastfeeding stops unplanned, against the will of the mother and baby. More often all this happens if the mother has her first child. Why? Young mothers are always surrounded by the increased attention of benevolent relatives who will never miss an opportunity to give advice, especially if they feel insecure about the mother. Especially grandmothers sin this. The quantity and quality of milk is rarely ignored.

And here's what happens. The baby gets an extra, unplanned 50 or 100 ml of milk and overeats. After that, of course, he will be much calmer and sleep longer, to the triumph of grandmothers. But with the next feedings, he will eat less milk from the breast, knowing that in the end he will receive a bottle.

Or he will completely abandon the breast, because it is possible to extract milk from a bottle without much effort. The breast remains full of milk, which means that it will be produced less and less until lactation is complete. This is what FIL is responsible for.

And if mom gradually reduces the amount of formula, milk will be enough again. Therefore, the hormonal side of the issue remains completely under the control of the body. Reducing the amount of the hormone responsible for lactation affects a woman's health.

Benefits of breastfeeding for mom

In addition to the obvious need for feeding for the newborn, hepatitis B is very beneficial for his mother as well.

First of all, it is convenience. There is no need to endlessly wash and sterilize the bottles, or to carry them everywhere with yourself, plus, the purchase of expensive mixtures can significantly hit the budget of a young family. And also breastfeeding contributes to the rapid recovery of the body after childbirth. Those women who are breastfeeding lose the excess weight gained during pregnancy easier and faster.

Of course, we cannot exclude special cases when, for one reason or another, breastfeeding is impossible. But with a strong desire to breastfeed the baby, you must first of all take care of the emotional state of the mother, then all the hormones important for lactation will be produced in the required amount.

Mechanisms of milk production in a woman's body are quite complex and multifaceted: the process is under neurohumoral control, several endocrine glands and a large number of biologically active substances are involved in it, the role of many of which has not yet been fully understood. Difficult already? The good news is that it is not necessary to know all these terms and mechanisms for successful lactation, because wives have been breastfeeding their babies for millennia long before these processes were studied.

In this article, we will talk in simple and understandable language only about those features of the physiology of lactation that are important to know in order to fully unlock your potential as a nursing mother.

Milk will come for everyone!

For milk production in a woman's body, one of the two main hormones of lactation - prolactin... It accumulates in the blood even during pregnancy, due to which colostrum begins to be produced in the breast from the middle of the second to the beginning of the third trimester. Therefore, the first thing that is important for every expectant mother to know is that by the time of childbirth, colostrum is already present in the breast, and you will have something to feed your baby with until milk arrives! Breast softness and failure to express colostrum are not indicators of its absence.

Abundant milk production at the stage of childbearing is constrained by the main pregnancy hormone, the "guardian angel" of the baby in the womb - progesterone... It is produced by the placenta and competes with prolactin for binding to breast receptors. Once the placenta is separated during labor, progesterone levels drop and receptors are released to bind to prolactin. The result of this interaction is further filling of the breast with colostrum, which is soon replaced by transitional milk.

I.e, the arrival of milk is solely the result of a change in hormonal levels in a woman's body... Milk is given to us as a gift, simply upon delivery, regardless of the method of delivery. On average, this happens to the end of 3 days, but it can be delayed up to 5-7 days, in particular, in primiparous women... However, if the arrival of milk on time is still not observed, the first thing that should be double-checked is completeness of placenta separation, because even a small piece of it can provoke such a delay.

We feed during the day, and at night ... we also feed!

Prolactin levels peak immediately after delivery, but the rises and falls are proportional to the frequency and intensity of nipple stimulation: the more feedings, accompanied by high-quality emptying of the mammary gland, present per day, the higher the level of prolactin in the blood will be.

Rises in prolactin levels are observed after each feed, with the daily peak in prolactin production at approximately from 3 to 8 am... Therefore, they say that feeding during the day we store milk for the next feeding, and feeding at night - for the next day. Probably, it is not without reason that the rhythm of night feedings in most babies looks like their frequency increases in the morning, in some cases turning into continuous "hovering" on the chest - the children seem to be taking care that milk is produced for them in sufficient quantities 

However, it should be noted that proper hormonal regulation itself is very important, but not the only component in the formula for the production of sufficient milk. The leading force of lactation from the moment milk arrives is precisely regular breast emptying... How much milk has been removed from the breast during feeding - so much of it is re-formed for the next feeding, the more often milk is removed from the breast - the faster it arrives. Thus, lactation works according to the principle "Demand Offer".

It would seem that in this case, it is enough to simply accelerate milk production at any stage of lactation - you just need to start applying the baby more often. Of course, this is one of the main techniques when working on increasing the amount of milk, which has a clear physiological rationale. However, there is one nuance due to which the technique may not work as well as we would like it to - more on that later.

Get your sleigh ready in summer!

Against the background of the postpartum prolactin jump in most women, milk comes in excess, and during the first few months, no signs of insufficient lactation may be observed even in the case of rather long intervals between feedings. However, during lactation, the prolactin level gradually decreases, and if at the initial stage of feeding were not frequent enough, after some time this may result in a lack of milk. Why is this happening?

The fact is that the first weeks of lactation are this is the time of intensive formation of prolactin receptors... In simple terms, these are special “receptors” on the surface of milk-producing cells (lactocytes) that can bind to prolactin, thereby receiving a signal for milk production. Frequent feedings in the first weeks after childbirth are essential for the formation of sufficient amounts of these receptors and, as a result, stable milk production even after prolactin levels have decreased.

Figuratively, this process can be compared with planting fruit trees. The number of seedlings that we can place in the ground is limited by the number of pre-prepared holes. We simply have nowhere else to plant them, even if there is an excess of planting material. Depending on how well or how poorly we have done the preparatory work of digging holes, we will expect an appropriate harvest. This is the case with lactation, where prolactin molecules act as seedlings, and prolactin receptors act as wells for them: the more receptors are formed at the initial stage, the more abundant harvest in the form of milk production awaits us in the future.

"Shy" hormone

The second major lactation hormone is oxytocin... If prolactin is responsible for the production and storage of milk, then oxytocin promotes its good release from the breast - this is called oxytocin reflex of milk separation.

For a woman, oxytocin is a special hormone, because it is released during processes, all of which are very personal, intimate for her - during childbirth, during breastfeeding and in closeness with a man. And he is called "shy" because the nature of his selection is very dependent on environmental factors: Like a shy person, oxytocin will prefer not to appear in a circle of strangers or in an unfamiliar environment.

An even more detrimental effect on the release of oxytocin is exerted by stress, a sense of danger, anxiety, fear, pain, since these conditions are associated with the release of another hormone into the bloodstream - adrenaline, which is an inhibitor (substance that suppresses the action) of oxytocin. The function of adrenaline is to transfer the body into a state of mobilization, which is necessary to eliminate the threat. And from the point of view of nature, everything looks very logical: if an animal is in danger, this is not the time for reproduction, birth or feeding of offspring.

It is this effect of suppressing oxytocin release that can often be observed during control weighing of the child (especially if they take place in the pediatrician's office), as well as attempts to express milk in order to determine its amount in the breast... A woman, already worried about the sufficiency of her baby's nutrition, begins to worry additionally during feeding or pumping itself - needless to say that the results of such events simply cannot be indicative!

For a good separation of milk from the breast, a woman must be in a calm, relaxed state. Remember that due to stress milk cannot "disappear" or "burn out" - it is still in the breast in sufficient quantity, just the breast “does not give it away”. Therefore, the best that a woman can do in such a situation is to try to relax in any way available to her (take a warm shower, drink a cup of hot tea, ask for a massage, etc.), as well as establish as much sleep and rest as possible.

Hormones of love and motherhood

The hormones of lactation, prolactin and oxytocin, have another equally important function. It is considered that it is thanks to these hormones that a woman develops a maternal instinct - that's why they are called "Hormones of motherhood"... They begin to accumulate in the woman's body even during pregnancy, and as she approaches the cherished date of birth, the expectant mother begins to experience more and more reverent feelings for her baby.

Interestingly, after the birth of a baby, the trigger for the production of prolactin is breast sucking, but tactile stimulation is not necessary for the release of oxytocin - it can occur in response to the sounds made by the baby, its smell, contemplation of an image or thought about it, even when mom is in the distance. Knowledge of these mechanisms can help a mother quickly tune in to the child, establish invisible contact with him - for this you need to often put the baby to the chest and just carry it in your arms, be in contact skin to skin as much as possible, inhale its smell, look at it and just think about him.

The higher the concentration of "motherhood hormones" in the mother's blood, the higher her ability to adapt to the needs of the newborn, responsive to his needs and satisfy them, understand her baby and unconditionally love him. Such hormonal support rebuilds the mother's body, helps her to replenish her strength in conditions of less sleep and allows her to get real pleasure from caring for a child even in case of fatigue.

Therefore, it can be said without exaggeration that it is breastfeeding with its miraculous hormones that is in many ways the key to an easy and happy motherhood!