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Breastfeeding is one of the most natural and beneficial activities for mother and baby. There is no other single action by which a mother can so dramatically impact the present and future health of her baby.
No formula can duplicate the unique properties of breastmilk, no matter how many vitamins, minerals and supplements are added to what is basically a chemical formulation.
Breastmilk is the one and only natural, complete and complex nutrition for human infants. Just as importantly, breastfeeding promotes an exceptional bond between mother and baby that only a mother can provide.
Advantages for the baby
- Breastmilk contains all your baby needs: proteins, fats, lactose, vitamins, iron, minerals, water and enzymes in the exact amounts required for the optimal growth and development.
- Breastfed babies are healthier. Breastmilk contains substances which prevent harmful bacteria from growing in intestines and causing gastrointestinal and diarrhoeal infections.
- Breastfed babies have less ear infections, less respiratory infections, a decreased risk of developing allergies, childhood cancers, childhood diabetes and obesity.
- Breastfed babies have a decreased risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Breastfeeding a premature baby decreases his risk to develop necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
- Breastmilk is clean, free from bacteria and has anti-infective properties.
- Breastmilk has the right temperature and needs no preparation. It is readily available whenever your baby needs it.
- Breastfed babies are less prone to develop diabetes, heart diseases, eczema, asthma and other allergic disorders later in life.
- Breastfeeding enhances brain development. Research shows there is better visual development and visual acuity in breastfed children.
- Breastfeeding is more than just food. It enhances the emotional bond between the child and the mother and provides warmth, love and affection.
Advantages for the mother
- Breastfeeding reduces post-delivery bleeding and chances of anaemia.
- Nursing the baby helps the mother regain her normal figure.
- Breastfeeding delays the return of fertility.
- Breastfeeding has a protective effect against several types of breast cancers and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.
- Breastfeeding mothers often experience an increased self confidence and a better adjustment with their babies.
- Breastmilk is readily available and saves energy, time and money.
- Breastfed babies are healthier so their mothers will have less absenteeism from their workplace
Know-How
There is no doubt: Breast is best. Breastmilk is the ideal food for babies because it contains all the nutrients they need for the first six months of life and helps them to grow into healthy children. No other milk, food, drink or even water is required.
To enable expecting and new mothers to keep up to date about breastfeeding, we have put together some information on breastfeeding and breastmilk:
Anatomy of the Lactating Breast
For breastfeeding mothers it is helpful to understand the structures of the breast, and the process of how milk is made – to the benefit of their health and that of their babies.
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The breast consists of:
- Glandular tissue to produce the milk
- Milk ducts to transport the milk from the glandular tissue to the nipple.
- Connective tissue (Cooper’s ligaments) to support the breast
- Adipose tissue (intraglandular, subcutaneous and retromammary fat)
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The size of your breast has no relationship with your ability to produce enough milk. Women with small breasts do not produce less milk than mothers with large breasts.
Throughout the months of pregnancy your breasts prepare for nourishing the baby. Most women’s breasts get larger and heavier. The blood supply to the breasts increases and this is why the veins become darker and more visible. The Montgomery glands enlarge and start to secrete an oily substance that lubricates the skin and has anti-infective properties. You may realize your areola getting darker and eventually your nipples might become more prominent.
The first production of colostrum begins during the second trimester of your pregnancy. Whether you leak colostrum before birth or not, it does not predict how successfully you will breastfeed. The delivery of the placenta signals the body to begin producing mature breast milk. At this point the milk production does not yet follow a demand and supply process but is hormonal driven. Nonetheless frequent and unrestricted feeding is recommended from the very beginning.
Two to four days after the birth of your baby your milk volume increases rapidly and from now on the amount of milk you make depends on how often your baby nurses and how effectively milk is removed from your breasts. The more often you put your baby to the breast, the more he stimulates the production of more milk. This phenomenon is called supply-demand-response.
Anatomy of the Lactating Breast
Medela recently announced the results of research that overturns 160 years of received wisdom concerning the female breast. This has important implications for women.
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What has changed?
- Ducts branch closer to the nipple
- The conventionally described lactiferous sinuses do not exist
- Glandular tissue is found closer to the nipple
- Subcutaneous fat is minimal at the base of the nipple
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Professor Peter Hartmann, Dr Donna Geddes (née Ramsay) and their team, working in collaboration with Medela at the University of Western Australia’s Human Lactation Research Group, investigated the lactating breast using sophisticated ultrasound technology.
Their findings overthrew a number of commonly accepted conclusions. The new picture of the anatomy of the breast revealed changes the way the breast should be cared for, especially during surgery. And it will help breastfeeding mothers gain a better understanding of the way their breasts work, to the benefit of their health and that of their babies.
Among many fresh insights, Dr Ramsay found that the number of milk ducts in the breast is lower than previously believed. Breast size modification surgery will have to take this into account, since the loss of only a few ducts can seriously compromise a woman’s ability to breastfeed.
Our understanding of the way in which the breast produces and delivers milk has also changed. The currently accepted model includes so-called lactiferous sinuses, which were believed to store milk. It turns out that these do not, in fact, exist.
Because of the uneven distribution of milk glands, the absence of lactiferous sinuses, and the high variability in the number of milk ducts, mothers need to consider their own particular anatomy when deciding how to use their hands to support their breasts during breastfeeding or manual expression. The studies also show that a rapid first milk ejection is important for efficient milk removal and that it is crucial to choose breastshields of the correct size.
“The benefits of breastfeeding are ever more evident and more women are wanting to breastfeed their babies. But breastfeeding can be a difficult process. That is why this research is so important. It will help women and their carers understand their breasts better and thus facilitate their breastfeeding attempts. And it will help those who need breast surgery ensure that their surgeons do not inadvertently put their ability to breastfeed at higher risk than necessary”.
Dr Leon Mitoulas, the lead Breastfeeding Research scientist at Medela
Breastmilk composition
Breastmilk is the best nourishment for babies. Your milk is made especially for your baby. The nutritional composition of breastmilk is unique and perfectly matches the needs of the fast growing baby. Breastmilk passes through different stages: Colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk.
Colostrum
During the first days after the birth a woman produces special milk that looks thick, sticky and yellowish. This special milk is called colostrum and contains large quantities of antibodies and growth hormones. It enhances the development of the baby’s gastro-intestinal tract and its anti-infective agents act like a first immunization.
Colostrum has a laxative effect which helps the baby to pass meconium (the first stool) and it also helps to prevent neonatal jaundice by clearing the bilirubin from the gut. Although there is not much of it, colostrum is all your baby usually needs in the first days of life.
Transitional Milk
During the following two weeks, the milk increases in quantity and changes in appearance and composition. The immunoglobulins and protein content decrease whereas fat and sugar content increases. At this time, the breasts may feel full, hard and heavy. This normal engorgement of the mother’s breasts – sometimes referred to as the “coming-in” of the milk – can be alleviated by frequent feeding.
Mature Milk
Mature milk looks thinner and more watery than cow's milk, which might sometimes be confusing. But it contains all the nutrients your baby needs for healthy development. Breastmilk is never “too thin”. The composition of mature milk changes over the course of a feed to suit the needs of the baby perfectly.
The milk that flows at the beginning of a feed is called foremilk. Foremilk is low in fat and high in lactose, sugar, protein, vitamin, minerals and water. As the feed goes on, the milk changes to hindmilk, which is richer in fat. Usually, the differences between foremilk and hindmilk are purely academic. There is no sudden change from foremilk to hindmilk. The fat content continues to increase from the beginning to the end of a feeding.
Types of nipples
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Women’s nipples vary enormously - some have small nipples, some large or especially long nipples, others flat nipples or inverted nipples.
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In most cases these variations will require little or no special treatment. Always bear in mind that babies do breastfeed, they don't "nipplefeed". If a baby is able to take in a good mouthful of breast, often even flat or inverted nipples will not cause any problems. However, some types of nipples are harder for the baby to latch on to than others, and it might be advisable to spend some time treating a flat or inverted nipple in order to make it easier for your baby to latch on to.
To find out whether you have flat or inverted nipples, gently compress your areola about 3 cm behind your nipple. A normal nipple will evert, or stick out, while an inverted nipple will invert or retract.
If your nipples are flat or inverted, you may want to use Nipple Formers – not to be confused with nipple shields – to try to draw out the nipple. Nipple Formers are worn inside the bra, which may need to be one size larger than normal to have room for the nipple formers. Nipple Formers can be used both during pregnancy or after birth. Consult your lactation specialist if you think you might have flat or inverted nipples.
Hygiene and nipple care
You do not need to clean your breast or nipple in a special way before or after feeding your baby. Rinsing your breast with plain water while having your daily bath or shower is all that is needed. Avoid anything that dries out or otherwise damages the skin. This includes the use of soap or disinfectants on the nipple and areola as this can dry your skin and may contribute to sore nipples.
During pregnancy, the Montgomery glands surrounding the nipple begin to secrete a natural oil that lubricates the skin and discourages the growth of bacteria. It is best to leave this natural substance do its job.
You could express a few drops of milk after feeding, massage it gently into the skin and let it air dry. If your skin is especially dry or damaged, you might like to apply a tiny amount of modified lanolin (e.g. PureLan Nipple Cream) to your nipple and areola. Bras and bra pads should allow the circulation of air. Any kind of plastic lining in bra pads or bras should be avoided.
If you experience nipple pain or soreness, consult your lactation specialist.
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