Working out breast milk , like all other important processes in the body, is regulated by the brain and depends on the proper functioning of hormones. Breastfeeding is the result of the coordinated work of two main hormones - prolactin and oxytocin. Let's talk about their functions today in order to better understand the mechanism breast milk production.

Prolactin

What does prolactin look like?

Every person has the hormone prolactin, including men. This hormone has many different uses that are not related to breast milk, but for a nursing mother it is the main hormone. It is he who is responsible for the formation of breast milk in the body. Prolactin is produced in response to a signal sent to the brain when a baby suckles at the breast. Moreover, the maximum formation of prolactin occurs in the pre-morning period, from 3 am to 7 am. At this time, prolactin is produced so much that it can be enough for the entire next day of feeding. That is why it is extremely important to establish the child. If you are restoring interrupted lactation, or trying to increase milk production, be sure to breastfeed your baby every hour before morning (subject to all other methods of restoring/increasing lactation).

Prolactin is also produced when you express your breasts. The brain receives a signal about the emptying of the breast, and the production of prolactin proceeds in the same way as if a child were sucking the breast. This property of "deception" is used if they want to maintain lactation during the period of separation from the child. Pumping is also helpful if you want to increase milk production.

So, prolactin is the main hormone breastfeeding. But even his a large number of and sufficient production is not a guarantee of favorable breastfeeding.

This is the formula for oxytocin

The production of milk, as directed by the brain, is regulated by prolactin. But it is equally important to ensure the outflow of milk from the breast. Another hormone responsible for this is oxytocin.

Oxytocin is the pleasure hormone. It works the entire period of bearing a child, it is extremely important in the process of childbirth, as it regulates uterine contractions. And at the time of feeding the baby, oxytocin causes the ducts of the mammary gland to relax and give milk.

If prolactin is produced strictly on a signal in response to sucking, then the production of oxytocin depends on the emotional state of the woman. When she is nervous, tense, or upset, oxytocin production slows down and becomes blocked, milk flow becomes difficult, the baby is not full, and the woman thinks that she does not have enough milk. Here lies the reason for one of the most common reasons for the cessation of breast milk, when the mother says that she lost her milk "from nerves."

Oxytocin is produced when a mother hears a baby cry (even if it is someone else's cry), when a mother picks up a child in her arms and hugs him to her, even when the mother just thinks about the child. Milk begins to spontaneously leak from the chest - this is evidence that oxytocin is doing its job.

Therefore, for full breastfeeding, a mother needs to learn how to emotionally relax, push all problems and frustrations into the background, giving priority to positive thoughts about the child. Thanks to oxytocin, a woman feels pleasure and even enjoyment while breastfeeding. Thinking about your baby while pumping helps your milk flow better.

How to deal with nerves?

As long as we are alive, we will always experience both positive and negative emotions. A continuous positive is possible, probably, only in paradise! And fortunately, we are far from there. So, you don’t need to avoid negative emotions - it’s pointless, you need to be able to cope with them! One of the ways how you can learn this, I have already described. Now I will tell you how to quickly deal with a sudden severe disorder.

The news of a tragic event, a fight with your husband, or even a bad grade on an exam can all block the production of oxytocin. One of my friends (now elderly woman) said that her milk was gone after she learned about the Chernobyl accident. Another (also already aged) remembered that the milk disappeared after the news of her father's death. In both cases, a severe disorder caused blockage of the milk ducts due to a decrease in the production of oxytocin, and the women, thinking that the milk was completely gone from the nerves, stopped breastfeeding.

Of course, these women did not even know anything about the hormone oxytocin, and most likely (as was customary in those years) did not seek long-term breastfeeding. Now it's not like that at all. First, you already know a lot and (if you are still reading my blog) are interested in maintaining breastfeeding. Secondly, the nerves modern women should be stronger. At least the news of any accidents does not cause such violent emotions in us (thanks to our disaster television).

On the other hand, some very minor problems sometimes cause a strong upset in modern women. Or do they pretend to be upset, trying to justify their laziness and unwillingness to feed the child? Well, I don’t believe that a deuce in the exam is a serious reason for frustration (especially if this student was not particularly diligent before pregnancy).

What to do if such a strong sudden disorder nevertheless overtook you? Having experienced the first emotions, you put the baby to your breast and felt that there was little or no milk at all. You must understand why this happened, and in no case stop breastfeeding.

1. Try to abstract from the event that caused your such a strong upset, mentally move it away from you and look at it from the outside.

2. Think: what happened has already happened, you cannot change it. And the child, your child - here he is, next to you. He is alive and well, which means that the worst did not happen. He needs you, now this is the most important thing.

3. Look at the child, take him in your arms, press him with your whole body. Cry, tears will bring relief.

4. Breastfeed your baby again!

Perhaps Scarlett's formula will help you: "I'll think about it tomorrow." Push the problem away from you, make room for positive emotions. Oxytocin will not keep you waiting, it will definitely begin to be produced! And you can congratulate yourself on the victory over yourself.

I recently read an interesting study. There was a comparison of the educational level of nursing mothers. The author found that among women who breastfeed for at least a year, the vast majority have a higher education. That is, the level of education directly affects the duration of breastfeeding! Interestingly, this trend has only been observed in recent decades. In the middle of the last century, it was the opposite: uneducated, illiterate (and, as a result, less well-to-do) women breastfed for longer. And pampered intellectuals used infant formula. Now everything has changed: a woman who consciously approaches her role as a mother, studies information with interest, analyzes and applies it in practice. As a rule, this woman treats life in general consciously, as a result, she is more educated. Women who live solely by the will of instincts do not try to do at least something to cope with the first problem that appears, but immediately prefer to get away from it, and they do it without much thought.

I believe that knowing the mechanism of any process helps to cope with one's own emotions and avoid their negative impact on this process. In the case of breastfeeding, this is obvious: do not let any negativity get in your way, do not be led by emotions!

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Pregnancy, childbirth and the first months of life with a child turn the female body into a real chemical laboratory. The levels of various hormones are constantly changing, with the help of which the mother's body maintains the pregnancy and raises the unborn baby. The breast is preparing to produce milk for the baby. And after childbirth, the female body constantly produces this invaluable product and, again with the help of hormones, is fully tuned to the needs of the newborn. So, what chemical processes can a child cause in the mother's body?

During pregnancy, a woman's body begins to prepare for milk production: the mammary glands increase, secretory tissue grows, under the influence of estrogen and progesterone, the milk ducts branch and alveoli form at their ends. The production of breast milk is launched by the baby - the sooner it is attached to the breast after childbirth, the sooner the brain will receive a signal to produce an increased amount of prolactin and oxytocin, which are responsible for lactation.

Breast milk in the first six months fully meets the needs of the baby. It is unique in its properties: in addition to its nutritional role, it is extremely important for the formation of intestinal microflora, immunity, as well as the harmonious physical and neuropsychic development of the child. It's amazing how a mother's body can produce so many vitamins and nutrients at the same time.

Research on the composition of breast milk is still ongoing, scientists are discovering more and more new components. The latest discoveries were human milk oligosaccharides - breast milk oligosaccharides (HMO). It is the third most abundant component of breast milk. To date, about 200 oligosaccharides have been deciphered, but their true number can be in the thousands.

Breast milk oligosaccharides act as the first prebiotics for a child, contribute to the establishment of normal intestinal microflora, act as traps for pathogens, catching microbes on themselves and preventing them from attaching to the cells of the body itself and causing disease. HMOs are able to train cells of the immune system, control the maturation of immunity, which leads to a decrease in infectious morbidity.

Currently, only two oligosaccharides have been reproduced in the laboratory: 2'-fucosylactose (2'FL), the most abundant oligosaccharide in breast milk, and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), which, according to research, is one of the ten most abundant oligosaccharides in breast milk. milk.

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The main components of breast milk are proteins, fats, carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and already known breast milk oligosaccharides.

Proteins are responsible for the harmonious growth, development and health of the child; amino acids are involved in their synthesis, and also build cell membranes and activate fat and protein metabolism. The main sources of energy are fats, they also act as the precursors of many hormones and vitamins and the building blocks of communication between cells in nervous system. Energy sources are carbohydrates, they also serve as sources of galactose, which is involved in the construction of cell membranes and the formation of compounds important for the proper development of the child's brain.

Vitamins of groups B, A, D, E, K, C, PP, minerals - iodine, iron, zinc, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and vitamin-like substances - biotin, choline, inositol, lecithin - support all processes occurring in the growing and developing organism. Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli introduce the child's immune system to certain bacteria in order to produce antibodies, mature immune system cells, and develop tolerance to their own representatives of the intestinal microbial community and food allergens.

How to establish breastfeeding?

Tips for the correct establishment of lactation are almost inexhaustible. In the case where there are problems, a pediatrician or a breastfeeding specialist is best to help. Some of the most common and effective recommendations that help a mother at first: make sure that the baby takes the breast correctly and often put it on the breast to stimulate milk production; enlist the emotional support of loved ones; avoid stress and feed the baby for a long time: what longer baby sucks, the more milk you will produce.

A woman during pregnancy and after childbirth is a walking hormonal revolution. What happens to the body of the future mother and nursing mother? Which hormones help maintain pregnancy and enjoy postpartum care?

Progesterone. This hormone begins to be produced in the first weeks of pregnancy and accompanies us all 9 months. From the second trimester, the placenta is responsible for the production of this hormone. Progesterone is responsible for the elasticity of muscle fibers - so that the uterus can grow and stretch freely. And the extra blood that is produced during pregnancy is more easily transported to its destination thanks to progesterone.

Estrogen. Like progesterone, this hormone is produced by the corpus luteum in the first weeks, and then by the placenta. Estrogen is responsible for how the fetus and placenta grow and develop. Together with progesterone, estrogen is responsible for preparing the female body for breastfeeding. After childbirth, the concentration of estrogen and progesterone rapidly decreases, and the hormone prolactin comes to the fore.

Oxytocin. It is secreted by the hypothalamus during the birth of a child. He plays important role in the contraction of the uterus, and also helps the mammary glands to secrete milk. Oxytocin is responsible for the flow of milk, is formed in response to stimulation of the nipples. Oxytocin is also called the hormone of tenderness and affection, it helps to form attachments between people, and in the very first moments after childbirth strengthens the bond between mother and child. All the “mimimi” and rushes of breast milk at the mere thought that the baby is hungry and crying is all oxytocin.

Prolactin. This hormone is responsible for milk production. Prolactin stimulates the mammary glands of the mother. Whenever a baby suckles, the body's production of prolactin is stimulated. Prolactin stimulates the formation of maternal attachment - it is prolactin that is responsible for the pleasure of taking care of a baby, carrying him in his arms, squeezing and nursing him. Any stress reduces the level of prolactin in the blood, and adrenaline suppresses oxytocin. That is why a young mother should take care of her child in a calm environment and breastfeed, avoiding stressful situations.

How to monitor hormones?

Without further explanation, it is clear that the first year of a baby's life is very difficult for a young mother. Most are tired and sleep little. Nevertheless, it is imperative to monitor your health and hormonal levels, because this can affect both the mother and the child. Be sure to monitor both your well-being and your mood. Pay attention to arterial pressure, possible dizziness, frequent mood swings or insomnia. Possible hormonal disruptions can also be indicated by a sharp weight gain or, conversely, a sudden weight loss with a normal diet.

The best and most accurate way to determine if everything is normal with the hormones in the body is to pass a special analysis. Do not neglect trips to the endocrinologist.

You can often hear from breastfeeding specialists that the happier the mother, the more milk she has. Why is this happening? It is not only a matter of the psychological aspect, although the importance of proper rest and Have a good mood for a young mother it is difficult to overestimate.

The hormone responsible for lactation is produced in the woman's brain, in its deepest part - and enters the pituitary gland, where it accumulates and regulates release into the blood.

Prolactin is responsible for milk production. If it remains during pregnancy (the placenta regulates its level), then after childbirth it becomes very high, reaching maximum levels during the feeding of the baby.

Therefore, the more the baby suckles at the breast, the more milk is produced by the mother. And if the child is not enough - you need to ensure attachment to the breast on demand.

Feeding by the clock in the first months after the birth of a child can significantly reduce lactation. The brain regulates the amount of milk produced according to the existing need, and reduces secretion if the need is reduced. And if demand goes up, then supply goes up. Night feedings are especially important - at this time the largest amount of prolactin is produced.

Milk stocks

There is a common misconception that breast milk can accumulate. However, an attempt to accumulate milk will also lead to a decrease in its amount, and can also cause lactostasis - stagnation of milk in the breast.

Pumping helps to increase the amount of milk, and in this way you can maintain lactation during a long separation from the baby, for example, if the child or mother is in the hospital. It is important not to forget to pump at night, for more active milk production.

Prolactin is also responsible for the mother's deepest attachment to her baby. In the animal world, he provides maternal instincts in relation to the cub, care for his life and safety.

A high level of prolactin in the first months after childbirth inhibits ovulation, however, each woman has her own time for its occurrence. For someone, menstruation comes six months after giving birth, and someone forgets about it for more than a whole year. The more actively the mother breastfeeds the child, the greater the likelihood of a prolonged absence of menstruation. It is important to remember that the first ovulation will occur before the first menstruation, so it is still necessary to protect yourself.

Often, young mothers experience a complete lack of sexual desire. This is not only due to general fatigue or lack of sleep, but also due to the active production of prolactin.

Do not worry about this - over time, everything will return to its previous course, and the sensations during sex may even become more vivid.

is the pleasure hormone. All kinds of love and friendship, trust, joy and happiness are impossible without the production of this hormone. It begins to be actively produced during pregnancy, contributing to a relaxed and peaceful expectation of the birth of a child.

And also oxytocin is an indispensable assistant in childbirth, and also helps the mother to quickly forget everything unpleasant moments fights and pushes. During childbirth by caesarean section the release of oxytocin is hindered, leading to manifestations of postpartum depression.

Oxytocin causes muscles to contract:

• uterus;
• vagina;
• chest (next to the nipples and areolas).

Therefore, the importance of oxytocin during breastfeeding is exceptional. The release of the lactation hormone during breastfeeding makes it easier for the baby to access milk - without this, it will be difficult to get what you want.

And also during active feeding, the uterus contracts, which is especially important during the period postpartum recovery. This helps her return to her normal size faster and promotes faster healing, which means less chance of infections.

The hormone responsible for lactation is very sensitive to various manifestations of stress. During such periods, increased production of adrenaline begins, which blocks oxytocin. In this case, the supply of milk is difficult. It does not disappear from the chest, but it is impossible to get it.

The destructive manifestations of stress

Any manifestations of negative emotions of the mother can make it difficult to produce oxytocin:

• pain;
• fear;
• uncertainty;
• anxiety.

All these experiences are detrimental to good lactation. Many mothers during pregnancy are worried about the possible lack of milk, so after childbirth they really experience problems with lactation.

How can you avoid the negative effects of stress? There are several recommendations:

• first of all, it is necessary to remember what is important for the health and development of the child - a healthy, happy and rested mother;
• some household duties can be taken over by relatives;
• when anxiety or negative emotions appear, you need to try to relax as much as possible, drink warm tea, think about pleasant things;
• it is very useful to hold the baby more in her arms or just next to her - when a mother sees her child, feels him, thinks about him - this stimulates the production of oxytocin.

nesting method

Lactation consultants know that the hormones so important to lactation require the constant presence of the baby. Therefore, the so-called nesting method is actively used in their practice. Its essence is that the baby is constantly next to his mother - this will help him quickly adapt to a new world for him, understand how important he is for his mother.

The atmosphere of the hospital, difficult birth and recovery, the possible separation of mother and baby is often fatal to their instincts, and the nest method helps them establish the right connections. If the baby was born prematurely, by caesarean section, if the mother refuses milk or lacks it, “nesting” is necessary.

Basic rules for this method:

• the child and mother are constantly nearby;
• all procedures for caring for the baby are carried out only by the mother;
• use of an ergonomic backpack or sling, frequent carrying on the hands;
• night sleep should only be joint;

• maximum contact with the baby
• feeding is carried out on demand;
• it is forbidden to use any breast substitutes, such as bottles or pacifiers.

lactation inhibitor

A few months after childbirth, prolactin loses its paramount importance, its level decreases, the peaks cease to be so pronounced. However, the amount of milk in the breast does not decrease (as long as the number of feedings does not decrease).

If milk production depends only on prolactin, and its delivery to the baby depends on oxytocin, then why does milk not disappear with a decrease in prolactin levels? Why is it that when a baby refuses to take a breast that produces more than a liter of milk every day, it does not overflow? Why do women who, deliberately or involuntarily, breastfeed with one breast, the other breast stops filling?

Here comes the third most important hormone for breastfeeding, recently discovered by scientists - FIL (feedback inhibitor of lactation) - a lactation feedback inhibitor. This is a substance designed to slowly stop the processes of milk production.

This hormone is present in the milk of all mammals without exception, it determines its quantitative production. When there is a lot of milk in the breast, its production stops, and if the breast is emptied, there is an increased production of a new one.

The formula is quite simple - how much milk is used up, so much needs to be replenished. The body experiences a little confusion only in the first few days after childbirth - therefore, the woman feels breast fullness, but then lactation is established and everything happens in strict accordance with the needs of the baby.

It often happens that breastfeeding stops unplanned, against the will of the mother and baby. Most often, all this happens if the mother has her first child. Why? Young mothers are always surrounded by increased attention from benevolent relatives who never miss a chance to give advice, especially if they feel insecure mother. Grandmothers are especially guilty of this. The quantity and quality of milk rarely goes unnoticed.

And here's what happens. The child receives extra, unplanned 50 or 100 ml of milk, and overeats. After that, he, of course, will be much calmer and sleep longer, to the triumph of grandmothers. But at the next feedings, he will eat less milk from the breast, knowing that in the end he will receive a bottle.

Or completely abandon the breast, because you can get milk from a bottle without much effort. The breast remains filled with milk, which means that it will be produced less and less until lactation is complete. This is exactly what FIL is responsible for.

And if the mother gradually reduces the amount of the mixture, there will be enough milk again. Therefore, the hormonal side of the issue remains completely under the control of the body. A decrease in the amount of the hormone responsible for lactation affects the health of a woman.

Benefits of breastfeeding for mom

In addition to the obvious need for feeding for a newborn, breastfeeding is also very useful for his mother.

First of all, it's convenience. There is no need to endlessly wash and sterilize bottles, or carry them everywhere with you, plus, buying expensive mixtures can significantly hit the budget of a young family. And also breastfeeding contributes to the rapid recovery of the body after childbirth. Those women who breastfeed lose more easily and faster. excess weight taken during pregnancy.

Of course, we cannot exclude special cases when, for one reason or another, breastfeeding is impossible. But with a strong desire to breastfeed the baby, you must first take care of the emotional state of the mother, then all the most important hormones for lactation will be produced in the required amount.

Many expectant mothers before giving birth worry about how soon the milk will come and whether it will be enough for the baby. In order to establish and, especially, increase lactation, you need to know that this process is entirely controlled by hormones such as: prolactin, oxytocin and placental lactogen. Therefore, from breastfeeding consultants you can hear that "milk in the head":

• firstly, the brain gives a command to produce it after stimulation of the nerve endings of the nipple,
• secondly, the slightest anxiety and, especially, stress affect the amount of milk.

The main hormones responsible for lactation are prolactin, oxytocin and placental lactogen. In addition, the normal production of estrogen is also important.

Changes in the chemical composition of the blood begin at the end of the first trimester of pregnancy under the influence of the pituitary gland, thymus gland and corpus luteum. That is why the first noticeable growth and swelling of the breast. Whereas the fetus itself is still so small that others very rarely realize that the woman is in position.

After childbirth, under the influence of hormones, the first drops of colostrum appear in the breast, which are recommended to immediately feed the newborn. In addition to being an invaluable source of protein, immune bodies, and antitoxins, colostrum itself will begin to stimulate lactation. It seems to many new mothers that there is no need to breastfeed the child so often, because full-fledged milk has not come. In fact, with regular suckling, normal lactation will be established already 3-5 days after birth.

The production of hormones, and hence the amount of milk, is greatly influenced by the correct psychological attitude of a young mother, her balanced diet and a high level of hemoglobin in the blood.

The Importance of Oxytocin

Oxytocin, the hormone of pleasure, is especially sensitive to stress. It is produced during pregnancy and is actively involved in labor. Oxytocin deficiency, which is often observed during caesarean section, can cause postpartum depression. A normal value This hormone in the blood helps the uterus to contract. And, due to the fact that there are many cells in the body that are sensitive to oxytocin, it recovers faster after childbirth. By the way, oxytocin helps to forget the difficult moments of contractions and attempts, as the hormone blocks the memory processes.

Since the birth of the child thanks to oxytocin, milk from the gland is delivered through the ducts to the areola. If this hormone is produced in a normal amount, when feeding, the baby easily receives milk. There is a simple test to check the level of oxytocin: if milk comes out of the chest when thinking about the baby or looking at him, then everything is in order with this hormone. Oxytocin is also produced when a mother takes the baby in her arms, hugs or talks affectionately to him when she hears the cry of the child, even if it is not her baby. Since the hormone is responsible for relaxation and pleasure, many women find the process of breastfeeding pleasant. This time is often associated with tenderness and peace for both mother and baby.

Don't give worries a chance

In anxious situations, especially when the mother cannot cope with excitement, adrenaline blocks the production of oxytocin. As a result, there is milk in the gland, but the child cannot get to it. That is why it is so important to take action in time: to tune in to breastfeeding as a paramount task, at least for the next 6 months. To do this, it is necessary to involve relatives and family members in the household duties as much as possible, devoting more time to sleep and rest.

Many new mothers who have successfully established lactation are familiar with the term "nesting". Its essence lies in the fact that in case of problems with the amount of milk, most of the time is spent lying with the child in bed, without taking his breast. If this option is not possible for any reason, a sling or ergo backpack can be used for constant physical contact with the child. In case of severe anxiety, you can take a course of natural sedatives (valerian, motherwort, etc.), massage, and applying a warm diaper to your chest, and warm foot baths, and aromatherapy (for example, lavender oil) help well. Do not neglect morning exercises and walks in the fresh air.

Observe the measure and drink according to thirst

Moms who are in the mood for long and successful breastfeeding often begin to drink plenty of fluids, believing that this will help milk production. But there is a nuance here: the hormone vasopressin, which is responsible for water-salt metabolism, is associated with oxytocin. If a woman drinks too much liquid, not enough vasopressin is secreted, which leads to poor milk excretion from the ducts and the formation of edema. If a woman restricts herself from drinking, an excess of vasopressin will lead to the fact that the fluid in the body will begin to be retained, as a result, the amount of milk will also decrease. Therefore, those who want to establish normal lactation should not go from one extreme to another, but stick to a reasonable approach and drink according to thirst.

Why are night feedings important?

As for the secretion of milk itself, prolactin (another name is luteotropic hormone, or LTH) is responsible for it. His a small amount of in the blood is always contained and is 40-600 mU / l. During pregnancy, this figure increases along with the gestational age, and after the birth of the baby, it is approximately 2500 mU / l. This level of prolactin in the blood of a young mother is considered the maximum and lasts for 6 months if complementary foods are not introduced into the baby's diet until this time. But by the time the child celebrates his first birthday, the rate of this hormone in the mother's blood will fall by about 2 times. If, for some reason, a young mother refuses to breastfeed immediately after childbirth, the hormone level very quickly becomes the same as in non-pregnant women.

The active action of prolactin begins at the moment when the baby is applied to the breast, thereby affecting the nerve endings of the nipple. At the same moment, the necessary information enters the brain, which makes a request for the production of prolactin. As a result, milk is produced with each breast sucking with the help of a hormone. Prolactin is produced at night and in the morning - from 3 to 7 o'clock, therefore, night feedings cannot be neglected: at this time, by active sucking, the child forms a request for the next feedings. This is the essence of the prolactin reflex. In order to fully rest at night, without interrupting sleep for the sake of feeding, which the baby needs every hour at first, many mothers practice co-sleeping with the child. Do not worry that later it will not be possible to accustom him to the crib: it has been proven that at the age of 3-4 years, children leave their parent's bed on their own.

When is pumping useful?

Unlike night feedings, the benefits of which are obvious, it is pointless to accumulate milk in the breast. In addition to the risk of developing lactostasis and mastitis, lactation slows down naturally. The brain receives information that there is enough milk, and the production of prolactin slows down. If the baby is breast-fed or simply expressed milk, it will begin to be produced again.

The production of prolactin is also stimulated by pumping: information about the lack of milk enters the brain, and the hormone enhances its work. Therefore, if the child objectively remains hungry, it is worth going for such a kind of deception. It is important to know about this in case of forced separation from the baby (for example, the mother is in the hospital separately from the crumbs). In this case, frequent pumping will help maintain lactation in full. By the way, it is better to do this at night, recreating the most natural conditions, then the level of prolactin will remain at a normal level.

In addition, the function of prolactin is to block the mechanisms of sexual activity, which, in general, is natural: after the birth of a baby, nature sets completely different tasks for his mother. By suppressing ovulation, prolactin forms in the mother an attachment to the newborn and an appropriate behavior pattern. By the way, the maternal instinct largely reinforces oxytocin: those mothers who have higher levels of it in the blood are less tired from the cycle of repetitive procedures for caring for the baby.

About estrogen and placental lactogen

Unlike prolactin and oxytocin, the time of placental lactogen comes before childbirth, when the body begins to prepare for future breastfeeding. It is its activation that leads to the fact that already from the 20th week of pregnancy a woman can observe the release of colostrum from the mammary glands. After the birth of a child, its level gradually decreases, and then completely disappears.

Listing the main hormones responsible for the formation and maintenance of full lactation, do not forget about estrogen. Its sufficient amount in the blood of the expectant mother ensures the growth and branching of the milk ducts, is responsible for the development of the alveoli. In a word, it is estrogen that prepares the mammary gland for subsequent serious stress. In order to evaluate them, it is enough to pay attention to the fact that from 600 to 1300 ml of milk is produced in the breast per day. However, it is worth paying attention to the fact that it acts in conjunction with a hormone such as progesterone. The function of the latter is to prevent the gland from overgrowing.

So, lactation is a complex physiological process regulated by various hormones, three of which can be considered the main ones: prolactin, oxytocin and placental lactogen. The success and duration of feeding depends on how correctly they are synthesized and combined.

In case of problems with lactation, it is important to take into account the peculiarities of the course of pregnancy and childbirth, and the first day after the baby is born, and the situation in the family of a young mother, and her state of health. Of course, there are many nuances on which harmonious breastfeeding depends, but pediatricians and lactation consultants believe that the main thing is to monitor your own emotional state. They advise young women, above all, to calm down and enjoy their new role as a mother, regardless of the difficulties that arise.

Hormones released by the female body during breastfeeding

Milk production mechanisms in the body of a woman are quite complex and multifaceted: the process is under neurohumoral control, it involves several endocrine glands and a large number of biologically active substances, the role of many of which has not yet been fully studied. Already difficult? The good news is that you don't need to know all these terms and mechanisms to successfully lactate, because women have been breastfeeding their babies for thousands of years, long before these processes were known.

In this article, we will talk in a simple and understandable language only about those features of the physiology of lactation that are important to know in order to maximize your potential as a nursing mother.

Milk will come to everyone!

For the production of milk in the body of a woman is responsible for one of two main hormones of lactation - prolactin. It accumulates in the blood even during pregnancy, due to which, from the middle of the second to the beginning of the third trimester, colostrum begins to be produced in the breast. Therefore, the first thing that is important for every expectant mother to know is that by the time of birth, colostrum is already present in the breast, and you will have something to feed your baby until milk arrives! Breast softness and failure to express colostrum are not indicative of its absence.

The abundant production of milk at the stage of bearing a child is restrained by the main hormone of pregnancy, the "guardian angel" of the baby in the womb - progesterone. It is produced by the placenta and competes with prolactin for binding to breast receptors. Once the placenta separates in labor, progesterone levels drop and receptors are released to bind to prolactin. The result of this interaction is further filling of the breast with colostrum, which is soon replaced by transitional milk.

That is, the arrival of milk is solely the result of changes in the hormonal background in the body of a woman. Milk is given to us as a gift, simply upon the fact of childbirth, regardless of the method of delivery. On average, this happens the end of 3 days, but may be delayed up to 5-7 days, in particular, in nulliparous women. However, if the arrival of milk in deadlines is not observed, the first thing to double-check is complete separation of the placenta, since even a small piece of it can provoke such a delay.

We feed during the day, and at night ... we also feed!

Prolactin levels peak immediately after childbirth, but the rises and falls in its concentration are proportional to the frequency and intensity of nipple stimulation: the more feedings, accompanied by high-quality emptying of the mammary gland, are present per day, the higher the level of prolactin in the blood will be.

Elevations in prolactin levels are observed after each feeding, with the daily peak of prolactin production occurring at a time of approximately from 3 to 8 am. Therefore, they say that by feeding during the day we store milk for the next feeding, and by feeding at night - for the next day. Probably, it is not without reason that the rhythm of night feedings in most babies looks like that in the morning their frequency increases, in some cases turning into continuous “hanging” on the chest - as if the babies themselves take care that milk is produced for them in sufficient quantities 

However, it is worth noting that proper hormonal regulation itself is very important, but not the only component in the formula for producing enough milk. The leading force of lactation from the moment milk arrives is precisely regular emptying of the breast. How much milk was removed from the breast during a feeding - so much of it is re-formed by the next feeding, the more milk is removed from the breast - the faster it arrives. Thus, lactation works on the principle "Demand Offer".

It would seem that in this case it is enough to simply disperse the production of milk at any stage of lactation - you just need to start applying the baby more often. Of course, this is one of the main techniques when working on increasing the amount of milk, which has an understandable physiological justification. However, there is one caveat, because of which the technique may not work as well as we would like it to - more on that later.

Get your sleigh ready for summer!

Against the background of the postpartum prolactin surge, most women have an excess of milk, and during the first few months no signs of lactation deficiency may be observed even in the case of fairly large intervals between feedings. However, during lactation, the level of prolactin gradually decreases, and if at the initial stage of feeding were not frequent enough, after some time this may turn into a lack of milk. Why is this happening?

The fact is that the first weeks of lactation - this is the time of intensive formation of prolactin receptors. In simple terms, these are special “receivers” on the surface of milk-producing cells (lactocytes) that can bind to prolactin, thereby perceiving the signal for milk production. Frequent feedings in the first weeks after childbirth are essential to form a sufficient number of these receptors and, as a result, stable milk production even after a decrease in prolactin levels.

Figuratively, this process can be compared with planting fruit trees. The number of seedlings that we can place in the ground is limited by the number of pre-prepared holes. We will simply have nowhere else to plant them, even if there is an excess of planting material. Depending on how well or poorly we have done the preparatory work of digging holes, we will have a corresponding harvest. So it is with lactation, where prolactin molecules act as seedlings, and prolactin receptors act as holes for them: the more receptors are formed at the initial stage, the more abundant the harvest in the form of milk production awaits us in the future.

"Shy" hormone

Oxytocin is the second major lactation hormone.. If prolactin is responsible for the production and accumulation of milk, then oxytocin contributes to its good secretion from the breast - this is called oxytocin milk ejection reflex.

For a woman, oxytocin is a special hormone, because it is released during processes, all of which are very personal, intimate for her - in childbirth, during breastfeeding and intimacy with a man. And it is called “shy” because the nature of its selection depends very much on environmental factors: like a shy person, oxytocin will prefer not to appear in a circle strangers or in unfamiliar surroundings.

An even more detrimental effect on the release of oxytocin is stress, a sense of danger, anxiety, fear, pain, since these conditions are associated with the release of another hormone into the blood - adrenaline, which is an inhibitor (a substance that suppresses the action) of oxytocin. The function of adrenaline is to transfer the body into a state of mobilization necessary to eliminate the threat. And from the point of view of nature, everything looks very logical: if the animal is in danger, this is not the time to breed, give birth or feed offspring.

It is this effect of suppressing the oxytocin release that can often be observed during control weighings of the child (especially if they take place in the pediatrician's office), as well as attempts to express milk in order to determine its amount in the chest. A woman, already so excited about the issue of the sufficiency of her baby's nutrition, begins to additionally worry during the feeding or pumping itself - needless to say, the results of such events simply cannot be indicative!

For a good separation of milk from the breast, a woman must be in a calm, relaxed state. Remember that due to stress, milk cannot "fail" or "burn out"- it is still in the chest in sufficient quantities, it’s just that the chest “does not give it away”. Therefore, the best thing a woman can do in such a situation is to try to relax in any way possible for her (take a warm shower, drink a cup of hot tea, ask for a massage, etc.), as well as to establish, if possible, a good sleep and rest.

Hormones of love and motherhood

The hormones of lactation, prolactin and oxytocin, have another equally important function. It is considered that it is thanks to these hormones that a woman develops maternal instinct- that's why they are called "hormones of motherhood". They begin to accumulate in a woman's body even during pregnancy, and as we approach the cherished date of childbirth future mom begins to experience more and more reverent feelings for his baby.

Interestingly, after the baby is born, the trigger for the production of prolactin is breast sucking, but tactile stimulation is not necessary for the release of oxytocin - it can occur in response to the sounds made by the baby, its smell, contemplation of an image or thoughts about it, even when mother is at a distance. Knowledge of these mechanisms can help the mother to quickly tune in to the child, establish invisible contact with him - for this you need to put the baby to the breast more often and just carry it in your arms, be in skin-to-skin contact as much as possible, inhale his smell, look at him and just think about him.

The higher the concentration of "maternity hormones" in the mother's blood, the higher her ability to adapt to the needs of the newborn, to respond sensitively to his needs and satisfy them, to understand her baby and unconditionally love him. This hormonal support rebuilds the mother's body, helps her replenish her strength with less sleep, and allows her to enjoy caring for her baby even when she is tired.

Therefore, without exaggeration, we can say that breastfeeding with its miraculous hormones is in many ways the key to easy and happy motherhood!