Click here to enable calls. Let's help some parents today!

Baby has a BIG job.

Nurse Kates Lactation Lounge | Oct 2, 2022

 

When your baby nurses at the breast, it sends a message to your brain. The brain signals  hormones, prolactin and oxytocin to be released. Prolactin sends the message to the alveoli to begin making milk. Oxytocin causes muscles around the alveoli to push milk out through the milk ducts. Milk release is called the let-down reflex.

 Some mothers (not all) may feel

tingling, fullness, dull ache, or tightening in the breasts

(although some moms do not feel any of these sensations).Milk may drip from the breasts. Cramping may occur after you put baby to the breast during the first few days after birth . (Uterine Contractions). These uterine contractions help decrease bleeding and shrink uterus back down to pre pregnancy size. Your baby helps you make milk by stimulating the breast through suckeling and removing milk from your breast. The more  time spent removing milk the more milk your body will make. Frequent breastfeeding / milk removal (10-12 times or more every 24 hours), especially in the first few days and weeks of your baby's life, helps you make a enough milk for your baby or babies. Milk will continue to vary according to your baby's needs. Each time baby feeds, your body knows to make more milk for the next feeding. An empty feeling breast signals the brain to make more milk. A full feeling breast signals the brain to reduce supply. The amount of milk you make will go up or down depending on how often your baby eats. By nursing for as often and as long as your baby wants, you are helping your body to make more milk. At first, it might feel like you are doing nothing but breastfeeding Soon, you and your baby will get into a pattern that is more predictable. It's like learning to dance, sometimes you step on each-other's feet at first, but soon after you are both moving in harmony with one another.

Related Blogs

Your babies Job is to make milk

Kate Drauszewski LPN, CLC | Sep 27, 2022


Baby and Mom are learning to dance!!!!!..... It is beautiful and akward all at the same time !

How can I increase my milk supply?

Trish Martin - The Baby Coach | Nov 16, 2022


Increasing you milk supply.

What might be causing low milk supply ?

Katelyn Drauszewski LPN, CLC | Dec 11, 2022


Before you reach for the lactation cookies check in with yourself and see if any of the following apply

The Importance of Prenatal Breastfeeding Education

Katie Newby, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, Postpartum Doula | Dec 29, 2022


how taking the time to learn about breastfeeding during pregnancy can positively impact your breastfeeding journey

Cracked Nipples

Katelyn Drauszewski LPN, CLc | Jan 9, 2023


Cracked, irritated, red, and painful nipples do happen, while not normal, this is common. Read more to learn why and how to get help.