Lactation and Breastfeeding

During pregnancy, the breasts and body are ramping up for milk production. Most women don't actually start producing milk until the baby is born. Sometimes, however, women will make (and leak) colostrum, the first pre-milk substance that contains nutrients and antibodies. This is generally yellow to clear in color whereas breast milk looks like thin cow's milk.

The alveoli in your breasts start to develop in the first trimester, because of hormones secreted by the placenta. This is why most women notice their breasts getting fuller in early pregnancy. Milk production could be theoretically possible around the 4th month, but progesterone excreted by the placenta actually keeps the prolactin receptors away from the cells that make the milk. So it's not so much a matter of 'when does it start' as 'when does our body stop keeping it from starting'!

It's interesting to note that in animals who are born, nurse, and need to get up and run around the pasture within about ten minutes, their progesterone levels drop about four days prior to birth, so the milk is available immediately. In humans, our progesterone levels dive at birth, with the expulsion of the placenta. So four days after birth, our milk comes in. That's okay... baby doesn't need more than colostrum before then.

It's also interesting to note that sometimes, if there is any part of a retained placenta, there could be inhibition of lactation. This is pretty rare, and doctors and midwives can generally tell if there's been retained placenta.

One other thing about lactation: it's a supply-demand process. You can imagine a chef back there, cooking up the milk, and he's only going to make as much as he thinks there are customers for. So the more your baby nurses in those first few days -- even before your milk comes in -- the more milk will be available. That's why it's so important not to supplement with formula, and to nurse on demand. :) If you can get your baby skin-to-skin as much as possible in that first week, that will really enhance baby's brain development, temperature and respiratory regulation, and also your milk production, too.

Hope that helps!

Absolutely, it poses no harm as long as the baby has an adequate supply. I tried it once just to taste it and it is very sweet and tasted like sugar water to me. Women that are breastfeeding one baby and suddenly have to provide for 2 babies (as if a sister passed away and her baby needed milk); the new mothers body will adjust for the extra needed milk and will produce enough for both babies.

The American Academy of Pediatricians says an occasional alcoholic drink probably will not hurt baby, but a mother who chooses to have a drink should wait at least two hours before breastfeeding. Because everyone metabolizes alcohol differently, the amount of time it takes for the alcohol to leave your blood and therefore your breast milk also varies from person to person. The alcohol is not trapped in your breast milk and draining your breasts will not expedite the elimination of the alcohol from your system. Over time your body will naturally metabolize the alcohol from your breast milk but the only way to know for certain that the alcohol is gone is to test your milk. Breast milk screening kits are available to test breast milk and ensure that alcohol is not being transferred to baby.

I'm sure they start their growth from the age of 8-18

Yes, if it's ok with the person whose nipples you're biting. There are lots of variations: a very light nibble, a bite between teeth or tongue and lips, a "scrape" ... experiment!

Breast milk contains everything a baby needs nutrientaly. As the needs of the baby change as it grows, the mother's milk changes to match what the baby requires. All this with no mixing, no measuring, no cost and in attractive natural packaging!

Percocet is a narcotic. It is indeed excreted in human breast milk. That means your baby is being dosed with narcotic every time you breastfeed. This could lead to a decreased feeding reflex in your baby. He/she might display a loss of interest in feeding and become cranky with crying when the narcotic is not ingested: withdrawal symptoms, in other words. Narcotics will also disrupt the baby's sleeping patterns and can cause gastrointestinal (stomach) problems for your baby. There's also a chance of oversedation with decreased breathing rate. If you must use percocet, bottle feed your baby.

Yes. I would be no different than going in the sun.

Yes, this should not provide any real harm to the woman. The woman may feel some extreme tenderness and may decide she doesn't like it because this can be painful during pregnancy (and after!). But other than that, there is not harm done. You may also encounter some lactation as well.

Generally,

Once your breast has started producing milk, it will continue throughout your life to a minimal extent, So whilst it might not be easily extracted, with the right stimulation such has heavy sucking or pumping you are able to remove milk (and also re-build the supply)

However,.. to reach this minimal supply it may take from as little as 1 month, to as much as 2 years.

The consistency of a woman's milk can not visibly be changed. However, since what the breastfeeding mother eats is also consumed by her child good nutrition is important. This does not have to be complicated. Simply look for opportunity to eat lots of fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Stay away from processed and sugary foods. Doing this will allow your body to give the very best to your child.

From my personal experience, yes you -could- be pregnant but it could also be from stress or other outside influences. I would suggest taking a pregnancy test or better yet, go to the doctor. Only a doctor can really tell you for sure.

because milk has a lot of calcium, which makes you bones and teeth strong. it also is what keeps your heart beeting. if you don't get enough calcium, your body will steel from your bones and teeth to keep your heart beeting, which will make your bones and teeth weak and soft!

Yes, a nursing mother can get pregnant. While breastfeeding does suppress your menstrual cycle, it does not always stop it. If you are not ready to get pregnant again you will need some form or protection. Stay away from the pill or any other kind of birth control that involves hormones as these will be passed to your baby when you are nursing.

yes are you stupid

Yes, if you have the Mirena IUD your chances of getting pregnancy are very low. If you are also breastfeeding exclusively and your baby is less than six months old, you are at very, very low risk of pregnancy.

No, lactation is not age dependent. Even women who have moved into menopause can induce lactation. The hormones responsible for starting lactation are different than those involved in menstruation.

It's impossible to overdose on marijuana.

In order to overdose a person would need to consume more than their body weights worth of marijuana in less than 30 days.

One pound of marijuana costs around $5,000 and could last a group of 3 or more people a good month if not more.

Leaking as in dripping 4 months after you stop nursing is not "normal" and needs a call to your doctor or midwife.

Leaking as in droplets seen on your nipple or felt on on your bra, especially if the baby is crying or sucking on a bottle or leaking during sex is completely normal and may be seen or felt for months after lactation has ended.

Adult breastfeeding, commonly referred to as an ANR, Adult Nursing Relationship, is a natural way to receive multiple physical and emotional benefits. While still largely a taboo in casual conversation, the ANR community, if you will, is vibrant online, where people are less likely to judge.

This type of question should ALWAYS be directed at a qualified medical professional - not left to an unqualified forum ! Ask YOUR doctor !

The only problem with breast feeding when you have a tattooed breast is that the milk comes out in funny colors. No, just kidding. There is no negative impact in having a tattoo on your breast on the quality or safety of your milk. The ink is locked into your skin and does not migrate to the interior of your breast or your milk.

Breast milk can start to dry up around the fourth month of pregnancy due to the abundance of pregnancy hormones. You will still make a little but it's nearly impossible to keep a full supply. You will start to make colostrum towards the end of your pregnancy. If you have a baby that is still nursing throughout your pregnancy they may wean due to the salty tats of the colostrum or the fact that you have very little milk left.

There are several places one can purchase a breast feeding chair. Online retailers include Amazon and Overstock. Retailers that offer both online and in store purchase options include Pottery Barn Kids and Toys "R" Us.