Understanding How Breastfeeding Works
Even though breastfeeding seems like it should come naturally, it often comes with challenges. This is often due to lack of knowledge and support. In this video, Dr. Wadley explains the stages of lactogenesis (process of making milk) so that you can start with a foundation of understanding how your body works for breastfeeding.
Stage One: Secretory Activation
This initial phase starts as early as 16 weeks into pregnancy. During this stage, your breasts produce colostrum. This is a nutrient-rich, antibody-packed substance essential for your newborn’s health. During this stage, high levels of progesterone in your body keep milk production at bay. Your body is preparing for what comes next.
Stage Two: Copious Milk Secretion
After childbirth, your body undergoes significant hormonal changes. The delivery of the placenta drops progesterone levels and boosts prolactin and oxytocin. This spurs milk production which transitions from colostrum to mature milk over about two weeks. This is the phase known as copious milk secretion, or more commonly referred to as your “milk coming in.”
Stage Three: Galactopoiesis
Around two weeks postpartum, you enter the stage of galactopoiesis. During this stage, milk production is mainly controlled by supply and demand. The more your baby feeds, the more milk you produce. This stage lasts until you wean your baby. During the early part of this phase, night feeds are important. These feedings keep prolactin levels high which optimizes your milk production.
Stage Four: Involution
Once you decide to wean, the breast tissues that produce milk begin to shrink. This marks the final stage of lactogenesis. As your body enters this stage, re-lactation becomes more difficult
Essential Resources
Understanding the science behind breastfeeding will set you up for a successful breastfeeding journey. In addition to regular video content about breastfeeding, we also offer a free guide that will help you to stay on track with your breastfeeding goals. The Math of Breastfeeding is a simple guide to help you to keep track of how much weight your baby should be gaining, what volume of breast milk they need and how to calculate your magic number. Sure, you can find all of those things on the internet, but wouldn’t you rather have them all in one place?
Click on the link below to take you to the guide.
© 127 Pediatrics, April 2024
This article is for information purposes only. Please consult your personal physician for medical advice.
