Notes

Breastfeeding - THE BEST Confidence Game
Thus begins the crisis of confidence for many modern breastfeeding mothers...

Human breasts are mammary glands and so are fairly mysterious structures when viewed from the outside. Their size and storage capacity for holding a milk supply will change greatly from woman to woman. Unlike other styles of containers, such as cups or bottles, they don't come standardized; there is no truly valid solution to analyze the quantity of milk volume that's being produced and stored at any given moment. It is possible to only get yourself a ball park idea of the inner workings of a lactating breast when breastfeeding styles and milk removal methods are taken into consideration.

Human milk production begins after the delivery of the infant and removal of the placenta. Hormones set up milk production within the breasts and facilitate the release of fluids and nutrients into the ducts. Initially it is just a complex feedback system between your baby, the mind of the mother which is secreting the hormones of lactation and the breasts of the mother. By the finish of the second to third month post delivery, the system becomes less dependent upon the hormonal circuit; variations in milk supply begin to be completely dictated by the way the baby breastfeeds.

During the beginning days of breastfeeding, mom makes more milk than her baby can drink. How much milk being consumed will increase as time passes. The breasts get in-synch with the appetite and breastfeeding design of each unique baby; the milk supply is replenished in keeping with the patterns that have been established. It is normal for the breasts to stay down and carry the milk in a less dramatic fashion. However, when this happens many women begin to worry. They have gotten the misimpression that "fullness" is necessary to prove they have enough milk.

Anxious mothers will undoubtedly be often be encouraged by medical personnel, lactation "experts" and friends to pump so as to "stimulate" their milk supply. It is the old "Seeing is Believing" logic. The imperfect removal of milk by these machines does make the breasts initially feel "fuller". At times this is even a bit uncomfortable because the pump cannot drain the breasts in addition to a baby. Mom starts wanting proof that she has ample milk. The more she pumps, the more vested she becomes in "measuring" what the baby is eating.

Whenever a mother relies more heavily on pumping and bottles to provide her milk, there may be a poor impact upon the quality and frequency of direct breastfeeding sessions. more info of circulating breastmilk will decrease because the emphasis shifts away from letting the baby drive the milk supply. Unexpectedly the baby may start becoming fussy while breastfeeding but will continue steadily to take bottles without offering any complaints. This type of change in behavior confirms mom 's fear that she is running out of milk; it is the start of a pattern of regular supplementation which can result in early weaning.

This 'Confidence Game' can only just be won by concentrating on optimizing how the actual breastfeeding has been done and leaving nothing to chance. Breastfeeding may be natural, but is definitely an experience with a learning curve. Support and guidance should be tailored to each unique breastfeeding couple.

Get your free Mini-Conscious Breastfeeding Course and take part in a residential area of empowered 'Conscious Breastfeeding' mothers at http://thebreastfeedingsalon.com Join the weekly conversation and get your confidence boosted go on The Breastfeeding Salon Show

M�ire Clements, RN, IBCLC, the "Conscious Breastfeeding Guru" has been empowering new mothers around their breastfeeding experience for more than 22 years as a lactation consultant, registered nurse and educator in the field of maternal-child health.
Here's my website: http://hawkee.com/profile/3834638/