Question

What are the stages of milk-making?

What hormones support and generate each stage?

What is the critical period for milk supply?

What are galactogogues?

A mother has a low milk supply, down by 8 ounces. Describe the strategies you would use to increase her supply without using a prescription drug.

Answer 1

1.) STAGES OF MILK MAKING:- There are mainly three stages of milk making which are described below:-

• COLOSTRUM:- It is the first breast milk that is secreted during the first three days after delivery. It is thick and yellow in color and rich in antibodies and vitamin A, D, E and K. It is high in protein, low in fat and contains high concentration of antibodies that are helpful for infant to fight against disease.
• TRANSITIONAL BREAST MILK:- It is combination of colostrum and mature milk. It is secreted during the next two weeks. In this milk immunoglobulin and protein content decreases while fat and sugar content increases.
• MATURE MILK:- It follows transitional milk. It is thinner and watery but has all nutrients for optimum growth of baby. It comprises of Fore Milk and Hind Milk. FORE- MILK is the milk that secreted at the start of feed. It is rich in protein, sugar, vitamins and water. After fore milk HIND-MILK produces which is rich in fat and energy and satisfies the baby's hunger.

2.) HORMONES SUPPORT IN MILK MAKING:-

• Oxytocin helps in contraction of smooth muscles around the alveoli to squeeze the newly produced milk into duct system. Oxytocin is responsible for milk ejection reflex or let down reflex in response to suckling.
• Prolactin is useful in regulating the milk production through osmotic balance.
• Growth Hormone is similar to prolactin and contributes independently in the galactopoiesis.
• Progesterone, decrease in progestrone level after birth helps in milk production in women.

3.) CRITICAL PERIOD FOR MILK SUPPLY:- The most critical or important period fro milk supply is after delivery of the infant. As it is crucial to feed the baby 30 minutes after birth, so it is the most critical time for mother to feed the baby with first milk known as colostrum as it hepls the infant to fight against disease as the colostrum contains high amount of antibodies and immunoglobulins.

4.) GALACTOGOGUES:- It is defined as a substance that promotes the lactation in humans. It may be synthetic, plant derived or endogenous. They are used to treat low milk supply. Some medications and Herbs that are used as galactogogues are as:-

• Oxytocin
• Growth Hormone
• Fenugreek
• Asparagus
• Fennel
• Red raspberry leaves
• Moringa

5.)STRATEGIES USED TO INCREASE MILK SUPPLY IN MOTHER:- Instead of drug therapy many natural treatment or strategies are used to increase the milk supply in women. Some of the examples area s follows:-

• Increase the number of Feedings:- If you allow your baby to feed more than your body will respond by producing more milk in the glands. The more milk is removed the more is then made.
• Pump or Hand Express Milk:- Remove milk by pump or hand known as expressed milk and then this milk is stored in refrigrate to be given to baby in need. This is most commonly used in case infant has weight related issues.
• Breast massage before feeding:- Massage your breast before feeding, this can increase the amount of milk production during nursing a baby and satisfies the hunger of baby.
• Use Galactogogues:- Use herbal and medicinal galactogogues to increase the milk supply.
• Stop Using estrogen products:- Pills. medicines or food with more estrogen should be avoided as estrogen suppress the milk production.
• Treating certain medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid and other disorders that interferes with milk production.