The process of production and secretion of milk from the mammary glands of a female is called lactation. The enlargement of breasts during pregnancy and the onset of milk secretion occur under the standards of hormones from the ovary and the anterior pituitary gland.But the continued secretion of milk depends upon the presence of a sucking child.If the newborn infant is not breast fed, the breasts stop secreting milk after a few days and decrease in size. This is called feedback control.
Milk contains an inhibitory peptide. If the mammary glands are not fullyemptied, the peptide accumulates and inhibits milk production.In most species milk comes out of a mother’s nipples. Progesterone influences the growth in size of alveoli and lobes of mammary glands but afterwards progesterone level drops which triggers the onset of copious milk production. Like progesterone,estrogen level also drops after birth. Secretion and storage of milk begins by the influence of prolactin hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary gland.However the ejection of milk is stimulated by the hormone oxytocin, released from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland.
Surf best positions for breastfeeding newborn so that you do not get fatigued easily, sitting in some awkward posture.At the initial stage of lactation, colostrum is produced. Colostrum is the first milk a breastfed baby receives. It is thick and somewhat a yellowish fluid. It contains high amounts of white blood cells and antibodies and is especially high in immunoglobin A. IgA coats the lining of the baby’s immature intestine and helps to prevent pathogens from invading the baby’s system. Secretory IgA also helps to prevent food allergies. Over the first two weeks after birth, colostrum production slowly gives way tomature breastmilk.
Mature milk production continues up to one year or more.When the baby sucks its mother’s breast a hormone called oxytocin compels the milk toflow from the alveoli through the ducts or the milk canals into the sacsor the milk pools behind the areola and then into the baby’s mouth. Best positions for breastfeeding is commonly available on the web. Only the breast milk can provide a baby with an ideal and complete nutrition. Breast milk is a perfect amalgamation of protein vitamins and fat, in a nutshell it contains all the essential nutrients that the baby will require to grow healthily. The natural formula of the breast milk causes it to be digested very easily. It contains antibodies which makes the immune system of the baby stronger and stable, so that he can fight of infections and germs.
The baby who is fed with breast milk has much lower risk of developing asthma or allergy. Breastfeeding a baby for the first six months consecutively without any other formula, greatly reduces the risk of development of ear infections, bouts of diarrhea, respiratory illness etc. in the same. Breastfeeding is directly proportional to the higher IQ scores in babies in their later childhood, according to some studies. Needless to say it strengthens the bond between you and your baby.
