Breastfeeding is very challenging to some mothers especially during the first few days. According to World Health Organization and Department of Health, there are only 34% of Filipino infants 0-6 months that are exclusively breastfed and 36% that are fed with infant formula. Mothers face different breastfeeding challenges that may hinder them to continue breast feeding and in order to overcome these challenges, the mother and her family must know and be knowledgeable on breastfeeding. So, how does breastfeeding works?
Breastmilk Production: Prolactin and oxytocin
The body signals the brain to produce two hormones that is responsible in producing and releasing breastmilk. These hormones are the prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin is responsible for the production of milk from the breast during feeding and it also the suppresses ovulation that may delay pregnancy. Oxytocin is responsible in the secretion or flow of milk during feeding and in the uterine contractions and decrease the bleeding. The failure of the oxytocin reflex may hinder the let-down or flow of breastmilk produced by the body and may result to decreased milk supply. There are factors that may help this reflex, and this includes the confidence of the mother in breastfeeding and the touch, sight, and sounds of baby. Whereas, stress, worry, pain and doubt of the mother may hinder oxytocin reflex. Thus, it is important that the breastfeeding support group, including members of the family and health workers, should support the mother while breastfeeding.
The breastfeeding mother can determine if she has an active oxytocin or “let-down” reflex. Right before or during breastfeeding, she may feel a squeezing or tingling sensation in her breast. She will also notice that breast milk will drip from her breast when she is reminded by her baby. She may also experience pain caused by uterine contractions in the first week of breastfeeding. The mother will also observe the swallowing and suckling of the baby which indicates that there is breastmilk flowing in her baby’s mouth.
Effective Breastfeeding
It is recommended that the mother should continue to breastfeed her baby for her to continuously produce milk. If the baby stops suckling, the breast will also stop producing milk. For instances that a baby cannot suckle the mother’s breast, it is advised that the mother should expressed the milk to continuous production of milk. Also, it is important that a mother must consume right amount of food and water in order to meet all the nutrient demands of her body to produce enough supply of milk.
Moreover, family member or support group may help the mother to produce milk by stimulating her oxytocin reflex. The following can be done to help the mother to stimulate her oxytocin reflex: 1.) Help her establish her confidence in breastfeeding, 2.) Minimize and lessen the source of stress and anxiety that surrounds her., 3.) Provide a supportive environment, 4.) As much as possible, keep her baby near or in contact with her (skin-to-skin). Provide a picture of her baby if skin-to-skin contact is not possible. Lastly, 5.) Provide her a hot compress and massage to her breast and back, and give a warm bath. It is important that the family must give their support to the mother while establishing breastfeeding.
Also, it is important to consider the proper attachment of the baby to the breast of the mother. Good attachment to the breast means that the baby is suckling effectively, and she/he gets all the breastmilk during breastfeeding. The four key points to determine if the baby’s attachment to the breast is correct are: Chin touches the breast, Areola (more) above the upper lip reaching the larger ducts with his tongue , Lower lip turned outwards and Mouth widely open (nipple to nose technique) (CALM). Teaching the skill of proper and correct attachment of the baby to the breast may prevent the complications such as painful nipples, damaged nipples, engorgement, unsatisfied baby, frequent and long-time feeding, lessen milk production, babies may not gain weight and poor self-confidence of mother in breastfeeding. It is also important that the babies are not provided with feeding bottles when establishing breastfeeding. ###FVV
