Breastfeeding at all times remains the best, safest, economical and useful way of feeding infants. Milk from the breast gives babies up to 6 months all the vitamins they need, nutrients, biologically active and mineral substances. And most importantly, with breast milk, children receive energy for life.
The unique composition of milk provides the body with an immune defense against various infectious diseases. It also contains in the optimal ratio and amount of a substance, such as polysaturated fatty acids and taurine, which are required to establish and further develop visual function, as well as various functions of the central nervous system.
Milk from the breast, due to the content of certain active substances in it (lactoferin), significantly contributes to the absorption of iron, which reduces the risk of anemia. In addition, it prevents the development of many other diseases.
So, following the testimony of research, we can say that with breastfeeding, the risk of developing diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is reduced. After all, mother's milk is the best, ideal food product for the baby. Mainly, because it is perfectly absorbed and easily digested, it has a constant temperature and is always ready for immediate use.
Milk in the breasts is produced, then accumulated and separated due to the interaction of hormones with reflex effects. Even during pregnancy, the hormonal changes that occur prepare the mammary glands for the immediate process of lactation. This leads to the development of mammary glands and their increase in size.
When a baby is sucking, reflexes occur, leading to the release of certain hormones. They, along with blood, are supplied to the cells of the alveoli and cause their contraction, which leads to the release of milk. The contraction of some muscle fibers directly surrounding the mammary gland also contributes to this.
Milk begins to “come” in the interval between the second and sixth day immediately after birth. Prior to this, the child sucks the so-called "first milk" (colostrum). In addition to all the necessary nutrients, it also contains antibodies, as well as other immune factors that protect the child from diseases.
During the arrival of milk, the baby should be fed as often as possible to avoid the development of milk stagnation. When the baby sucks milk from the chest, it frees up space for some excess fluid. It rushes to the chest mainly in the postpartum period.
Quite often, after giving birth, mothers are faced with the fact that milk itself leaks. Every woman has it differently. So in some young mothers, milk from the breasts can leak spontaneously, at any time of the day. And in some, when breastfeeding one breast at the same time stands out from the other.
But there is no cause for concern. This is a completely natural and normal situation. After all, during lactation, the breast in size increases as much as possible. Milk “hot flashes” occur frequently, sometimes painfully, and there are times when the body temperature rises. Expression is recommended to alleviate the condition.
Breast milk can be expressed both independently and with the help of a special breast pump. But this procedure is required only in the early periods of lactation. Over time, everything will normalize, the amount of milk that your child needs will be produced.
At the same time, the breast from hard and painful will become soft and change shape. All self-regulation processes will begin to work actively. It should be noted that each woman has a similar stabilization in different ways. This process can last from one to four months. But this is all within the normal range and very individual.
According to many experts, spontaneous leakage of milk from the breast serves as a major barrier to the development of such dangerous ailments as lactostasis and mastitis. After all, milk comes out, and does not stagnate, and this eliminates the possibility of these diseases.