lactation-physiology - KellyMom.com

Engorgement

KellyMom — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 16:00:30 +0000

It is normal for your breasts to become larger and feel heavy, warmer and uncomfortable when your milk increases in quantity (“comes in”) 2-6 days after birth. This rarely lasts more than 24 hours. With normal fullness, the breast and areola (the darker area around the nipple) remain soft and elastic, milk flow is normal and latch-on is not affected.

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I’m not pumping enough milk. What can I do?

KellyMom — Mon, 24 May 2021 07:25:45 +0000

Milk supply normally varies somewhat throughout the day and over weeks and months. As long as baby is allowed to nurse on cue, your milk supply will accomodate baby's needs. However, when mom is pumping part-time or full-time, pumping output can become an issue due to a few factors.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Milk Production

KellyMom — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 21:20:17 +0000

How does milk production change over the course of lactation?

For the first few days, up to and including the point at which mom's milk "comes in," milk production does not depend upon milk being removed from the breast. After those first few days, it is necessary for milk to be regularly removed from the breast (via baby or pump) to continue milk production. The breasts will begin to shut down milk production within several days if milk is not regularly and effectively removed.

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Increasing Low Milk Supply

KellyMom — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 06:55:00 +0000

First of all, is your milk supply really low? Often, mothers think that their milk supply is low when it really isn't. If your baby is gaining weight well on breastmilk alone, then you do not have a problem with milk supply. It's important to note that the feel of the breast, the behavior of your baby, the frequency of nursing, the sensation of let-down, or the amount you pump are not valid ways to determine if you have enough milk for your baby.

The post Increasing Low Milk Supply first appeared on KellyMom.com.

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Extra (supernumerary or accessory) nipples or breast tissue

KellyMom — Tue, 13 May 2014 03:32:15 +0000

Extra nipples or breast tissue is fairly common (1-6% of women) and is a result of incomplete regression of the mammary ridge (milk line) during the development of the embryo before birth.

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How does milk production work?

KellyMom — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:26:20 +0000

To understand how to effectively increase (or decrease) milk supply, we need to look at how milk production works...
For the most part, milk production is a "use it or lose it" process.
The more often and effectively your baby nurses, the more milk you will make.

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Breastfeeding and Fertility

KellyMom — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:22:11 +0000

How can I use breastfeeding to prevent pregnancy?

The Exclusive Breastfeeding method of birth control is also called the Lactational Amenorrhea Method of birth control, or LAM. Lactational amenorrhea refers to the natural postpartum infertility that occurs when a woman is not menstruating due to breastfeeding. Many mothers receive conflicting information on the subject of breastfeeding and fertility.

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Getting Pregnant While Breastfeeding

KellyMom — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 19:54:02 +0000

Adventures in Tandem Nursing: Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and Beyond, published by La Leche League International

So you're breastfeeding and dreaming of a new baby? Good news! Lots of moms are able to conceive a new baby without having to wean their current nursling. Let's look at seven of the most common questions.
1. Do I have to wean in order to get pregnant?

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Forceful Let-down (Milk Ejection Reflex) & Oversupply

KellyMom — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 06:55:54 +0000

Is forceful let-down the problem?

Does your baby do any of these things?

Gag, choke, strangle, gulp, gasp, cough while nursing as though the milk is coming too fast

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Normal prolactin levels in breastfeeding mothers

KellyMom — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 00:35:57 +0000

"Plasma prolactin levels increase the most in the immediate postpartum period but rise and fall in proportion to the frequency, intensity, and duration of nipple stimulation."

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