How to Initiate and Nurture Lactation: Insights from Psychological Expertise

For new mothers, the journey of breastfeeding can be both rewarding and challenging. Understanding the psychological aspects of lactation is crucial for a smooth and successful experience. Let’s delve into the intricate details of how, where, and when lactation can be initiated and nurtured.

What is the Role of Hormones in Lactation?

Initiating lactation involves managing crucial hormone levels, such as estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin. These hormones play a pivotal role in the production and release of breast milk.

How Does Mechanical Stimulation Enhance Lactation?

Video demonstrations showcasing the mechanics of lactation highlight the significance of mechanical breast stimulation. To provoke milk flow, mothers should regularly bring their babies to the breast, even when it’s still empty. This practice, combined with consistent milk expression, aids in priming lactation.

Regular breast stimulation is essential for establishing a robust lactation routine. Mothers should start by nursing their baby every 2–3 hours, including nighttime feedings. The hormone prolactin, responsible for milk production, peaks during these nocturnal hours.

Where Does Success Lie in Lactation Initiation?

Success in lactation initiation is facilitated by several factors:

• The baby is under three months old, making it easier for them to recall the reflex of proper latch.
• The infant has prior experience with breastfeeding.
• The baby has a history of regular skin-to-skin contact, enhancing the “skin-to-skin” connection.
• The baby is not accustomed to bottle feeding, reducing the likelihood of nipple confusion.
• Avoidance of pacifiers to ensure the baby actively engages with the breast.

Introducing the breast to the baby at least every 2–3 hours, including nighttime feedings, enhances the success of lactation initiation.

How Can Mothers Encourage Baby’s Natural Inclination Towards Breastfeeding?

Encouraging a baby’s innate desire to latch onto the maternal breast is crucial. Offering a reward in the form of food during early attempts is recommended. Initially, the baby can be fed with formula during breastfeeding sessions to associate the breast with nourishment.

Using a specialized device — a reservoir with a flexible tube attached to the mother’s nipple — allows artificial feeding during breastfeeding initiation.

This method ensures that the baby actively stimulates the breast while receiving nutrition. Over time, the artificial formula is gradually replaced by the naturally produced breast milk.

Enhancing the Feeding System: Tips for Success

For a successful feeding system:

• Maintain cleanliness by sterilizing the equipment before each use.
• Avoid storing unused formula in the reservoir.
• Regulate fluid flow to prevent over-saturation, mirroring the natural pace of breastfeeding.

Modifying container height and finger compression on the tube can regulate fluid flow, mimicking the natural pace of breastfeeding.

FAQs

How often should a mother stimulate her breast to encourage lactation?

Regular breast stimulation is essential for establishing a robust lactation routine. Mothers should start by nursing their baby every 2–3 hours, including nighttime feedings.

Where does success lie in lactation initiation?

Success in lactation initiation is facilitated by several factors, including the baby’s age, prior breastfeeding experience, regular skin-to-skin contact, avoidance of bottle feeding, and refraining from using pacifiers.

What hormones play a crucial role in lactation?

Initiating lactation involves managing crucial hormone levels, such as estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin. These hormones play a pivotal role in the production and release of breast milk.

When is the peak time for breastfeeding-related hormone prolactin?

The hormone prolactin, responsible for milk production, peaks during nighttime hours. Thus, it is important to include nighttime feedings to enhance lactation initiation.

How can mothers encourage a baby’s natural inclination towards breastfeeding?

Encouraging a baby’s innate desire to latch onto the maternal breast is crucial. Offering a reward in the form of food during early attempts is recommended.

Originally published at https://beingmotherhood.com on November 20, 2023.