Breast Milk
Breast milk is important to both the baby and the mother. It means ultimate nourishment for the baby and total commitment from the mother.
Numerous infant formulas nowadays are produced to closely resemble the properties of breast milk. However, until now, breastfeeding remains to be the most ideal form of feeding for infants. The mother’s breast milk is only capable of supporting the immune system of the baby for sometime. Since breastfeeding is crucial in the first six months of life, mothers should ensure that the baby gets his immunization shots after that such time.
Women generally produce milk right after pregnancy. The “first” milk that comes out of the mother’s breasts is called colostrum is known to have high immunoglobulin content. This is essential in the protection against diseases until the baby’s immune system is working properly.
Most first-time mothers are worried about not giving enough breast milk to their babies. There are various reasons why some mothers may not be producing the necessary amount of breast milk, some of which are: inappropriate latch, not pumping or feeding enough, birth control, certain illness, under medications, dehydration, and rarely – inability to produce milk.
Increasing breast milk supply may be dealt with through the following options: fenugreek herb supplementation, certain prescription medications, increase pumping and hydration, and including certain foods in diet such as oatmeal, coconut, and others which are known to benefit lactating women.
Breast milk is produced within the tiny sac-like glands inside the mother’s breasts. When certain specific hormones stimulate these sacs, they develop and start producing milk, around the second trimester of a woman’s pregnancy.
The human breasts are not capable of storing large amounts, unlike cows. Suckling is what stimulated breast milk production. At the start of breastfeeding, the breast milk is characterized by a bluish color which represents the presence of little fat and more protein and lactose. The end of breastfeeding gives off the hindmilk which has high fat content. When breast milk remains “unused” for about 30 minutes after being pumped, you will observe a “creamy” part above a “watery” level. This shows that human milk is not homogenized.
Pumping is necessary for the breasts to produce as much milk as necessary. However, be aware that you are not probably going to get much milk the first time you pump. But if you keep trying and do it often, you are most likely going to increase breast milk production in no time.
Breast pumping usually lasts as long as the breastfeeding session. But with a good pump and plenty of practice, you can have a good amount of breast milk in as short as 10 or 15 minutes. So even if you’re working, it is advisable to pump milk as often as you baby’s usual feedings. Thus, to maintain the breasts’ milk supply, give extra feedings to your baby when you have the chance.
When storing expressed breast milk, make sure your hands are clean. Check that the containers you are going to use have been sterilized. Always mark the containers with the date before storing them. They should be refrigerated or placed in the freezer as soon as the milk is expressed.
Breast milk storage follows the following conditions: at room temperatures or for temperatures lower than 77 degrees Fahrenheit, milk can last from 4 to 8 hours; inside the refrigerator, milk can last from 3 to 8 days; inside the freezer, milk can last up to three months. Thaw breast milk by swirling the milk container in warm water. You may also put it inside the refrigerator hours before you intend to use it. Thawed breast milk may be refrigerated for 24 hours or less but should never be refrozen.
Breastfeeding is definitely a lot more practical and convenient than bottle feeding. And in essence, breast milk is the mother’s most genuine expression of love.