Lactation is the process of milk production and secretion from the mammary glands after childbirth.
✅ “Lactation is the physiological process whereby the female breast produces and excretes milk to nourish a newborn.”
| 🧪 Hormone | 📌 Function |
|---|---|
| Estrogen | Develops ducts of breast during pregnancy |
| Progesterone | Develops lobules and alveoli of mammary gland |
| Prolactin | Stimulates milk production from alveolar cells |
| Oxytocin | Causes milk ejection (let-down reflex) via contraction of myoepithelial cells |
| 🔢 Stage | 🔍 Description |
|---|---|
| Mammogenesis | Breast development (during pregnancy) |
| Lactogenesis I | Initial milk secretion begins around 16 weeks gestation |
| Lactogenesis II | Milk production begins 2–3 days after birth (colostrum to mature milk) |
| Galactopoiesis | Maintenance of milk supply with regular feeding |
| Milk Ejection (Let-Down) | Triggered by oxytocin due to baby sucking |
| 🍼 Component | 🔬 Role |
|---|---|
| Water (88%) | Hydration and fluid balance |
| Lactose | Energy and brain development |
| Fat | Calories and essential fatty acids |
| Proteins | Easily digestible (whey, casein), immune support |
| Antibodies (IgA) | Protection against infections |
| Vitamins & Minerals | Growth and development |
| 🍼 Feeding Type | 📌 Definition |
|---|---|
| Exclusive Breastfeeding | Only breast milk (no water, food) for first 6 months |
| Top Feeding | Feeding with formula, cow’s milk, or bottle milk |
| Supplementary Feeding | Breast milk + formula (when mother’s milk is insufficient) |
| Weaning/Complementary Feeding | Addition of semisolid foods at 6 months along with breastfeeding |
🔹 Natural, easily digestible
🔹 No risk of contamination
🔹 Immunity boost via IgA
🔹 Emotional bonding
🔹 Cost-effective
🔹 Promotes maternal recovery (uterine involution, weight loss)
🔹 Expensive
🔹 Requires sterilization
🔹 No antibodies
🔹 Increases risk of infections and allergies
🔹 May cause constipation
🟢 Frequency:
• Feed on demand (usually every 2–3 hrs)
• ~8–12 times in 24 hrs for newborns
🟢 Duration:
• Allow baby to nurse from one breast until satisfied
• Switch to other breast in next feed
🟢 Burping:
• Burp baby after each feed to release swallowed air
🟢 Hygiene:
• Clean nipples and wash hands before feeding
🟩 Assessment:
🔹 Check for breastfeeding problems (engorgement, nipple pain)
🔹 Monitor baby’s weight gain, urine output, and satisfaction
🟨 Education & Counseling:
🔹 Teach proper breastfeeding techniques and positions
🔹 Encourage early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding
🔹 Discourage bottle use during first 6 months
🔹 Promote demand feeding and night feeding
🟥 Support:
🔹 Emotional support for new mothers
🔹 Address myths and misconceptions (e.g., colostrum is harmful)
🟡 Prolactin = milk production; Oxytocin = milk ejection
🟡 Colostrum = first milk, rich in antibodies
🟡 Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for 6 months
🟡 Bottle feeding increases infection risk
🟡 Breast milk is ideal food – hygienic, nutritious, and protective
Q1. Which hormone is responsible for milk ejection reflex?
🅰️ Prolactin
✅ 🅱️ Oxytocin
🅲️ Estrogen
🅳️ Progesterone
Correct Answer: 🅱️ Oxytocin
Q2. What is the ideal age to begin complementary feeding?
🅰️ 3 months
🅱️ 5 months
✅ 🅲️ 6 months
🅳️ 1 year
Correct Answer: 🅲️ 6 months
Q3. Colostrum is rich in which immunoglobulin?
🅰️ IgG
🅱️ IgM
✅ 🅲️ IgA
🅳️ IgE
Correct Answer: 🅲️ IgA
Q4. Which feeding method carries the least risk of infection in infants?
🅰️ Top feeding
✅ 🅱️ Exclusive breastfeeding
🅲️ Cow’s milk
🅳️ Supplementary feeding
Correct Answer: 🅱️ Exclusive breastfeeding
Q5. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of breastfeeding for the mother?
🅰️ Uterine contraction
🅱️ Weight loss
🅲️ Reduced breast cancer risk
✅ 🅳️ Vitamin K production
Correct Answer: 🅳️ Vitamin K production