Breast milk after childbirth and after cesarean section: features of lactation

How do nutrients arrive?

Nature has arranged for the newborn to get used to extrauterine life gradually. In accordance with its needs after childbirth, the mother’s body also “works,” including the arrival of milk:

• Colostrum appears first - immediately after birth, in the last weeks of pregnancy, on the first day;
• then it gradually transforms into transitional milk - for first-time mothers on days 3-6, for repeat mothers - on days 2-4;
• and then the mature one appears, the real one - on the 6-10th day.

In the interval between the second and sixth days
, Colostrum is super milk, high in calories (1500 kcal), which provides the baby with many nutrients, antibodies that promote the excretion of meconium and bilirubin - the substance that leads to jaundice. You don’t need a lot of this milk after birth; the volume of a newborn’s stomach is only 5-7 ml.

Gradually it becomes transitional - the volume increases, the fat content increases, the protein content decreases, and there is more water. Hot flashes can lead to breast enlargement, swelling, and a feeling of fullness.

Then the mature one appears, containing 88% water. On what day after birth such milk comes in is in many ways very individual.

There are several rules that after childbirth will help a mother solve the problem of how to develop breast milk:

• attach the baby as soon as he shows signs of anxiety (at least every 15 minutes);
• let him suckle until he lets go of the breast, especially early in the morning. This is the best way to quickly establish lactation - the mother’s body receives signals about the baby’s needs and works in accordance with them. Cracks in the nipples do not appear from prolonged sucking, but from improper grip. There is a reliable way of what to do after childbirth so that milk appears faster. This means not skipping pre-dawn feedings, when prolactin is most intensely produced;
• do not use any substitutes - nipples, pacifiers, bottles. A child who is simply thirsty can suckle at the breast for five to ten minutes; if he is hungry, he will do it longer. Exceptional cases when ordinary water is required can be solved using a spoon, pipette, or syringe without a needle, but not with nipples;
• if milk comes in when the mother does not have the opportunity to feed on demand after giving birth (she needs to leave the house, etc.), she will have to use constant pumping.

Also find out what week maternity leave starts and the whole truth about increased bilirubin in newborns.

The only cause for alarm should be crying under the breast or immediately after sucking. This means that either the quantity is really small, which is quite rare, or the most unpleasant thing begins - breast refusal.

How to do it correctly?

It is advisable for a woman to prepare for pumping, as far as the conditions of the maternity facility in which she is located allow. You will need a small container for pumping (for example, a plastic cup with a wide neck and thin walls). The container must be clean. If there is no boiling water for sterilization in the room, ask your relatives to buy and bring a small convenient sterilizer for bottles and nipples; you can easily process the pumping container in it. It works from a regular electrical network.

Before pumping, be sure to wash your hands - the process is carried out exclusively with clean hands. The mammary glands should also be washed with warm water and baby soap to prevent pathogenic bacteria from penetrating into the microcracks of the nipple. The napkin or small towel that a woman will use to dry her hands and absorb drops of colostrum should be clean and ironed.

To begin pumping, place your thumb over the nipple and your index finger under it. There is no need to pull off the pinched nipple with your fingers; the correct thing to do is to press on it with progressive movements towards the sternum. If this is accompanied by pain, then something was done wrong. Try a more comfortable grip on the nipple with your thumb and forefinger and repeat the movement again.

Women after childbirth do not have enough colostrum to express it with a breast pump, and judging by the reviews, such a device is not convenient for everyone. But the most common medical disposable syringe turns out to be quite convenient. If you cut off its sharp nose, located on the opposite side of the piston, you get a convenient device for expressing. The nipple is placed inside the cut part with the piston closed, checking how tightly it is there and whether it allows air to pass through. Then pull the piston in the direction opposite to the nipple.

This method is definitely not suitable for stagnation (“stone breasts”), with very thick colostrum, as well as for the first pumping (if the breasts have not yet developed, such pumping into a syringe is traumatic, it is better to start with manual pumping).

Benefit

The beneficial properties of colostrum cannot be overestimated. It helps the child’s body gradually adapt to new environmental conditions.

Providing immunity

Colostrum supports important immune function in children's bodies. The intake of colostrum in the first days after the birth of a child protects the child’s body from many dangerous pathogens that are found in large quantities in the external environment.

The immune function of colostrum is due to the entry into the body of a newborn baby of special protein molecules - antibodies. They are also called immunoglobulins.

The colostrum of a nursing woman contains the following important immune substances:

• immunoglobulins A;
• lactoferrin;
• macrophages;
• neutrophils;
• lymphocytes.

The abundance of leukocyte cells enhances the strength of the immune system. It should be noted that these cells are largely not destroyed in the child’s gastrointestinal tract. They remain in the child’s body, are well distributed and can perform the immune function given to them by nature.

Scientists have found that the colostrum of a woman who has just given birth contains a fairly large number of T-lymphocytes. These cells belong to the immune system

They are able to synthesize a very important substance - interferon, which has strong antiviral activity.

Oligosaccharides and polysaccharides contained in colostrum are involved in providing antibacterial protection to the child’s body. They negatively affect pathogenic bacterial cells, preventing them from attaching to healthy cells of the child’s body. Thus, these substances help protect the newborn baby from contracting bacterial infections.

Interestingly, colostrum also contains special peroxidase enzymes. They can have a damaging effect on bacterial cells, leading to their death. This effect helps protect the newborn baby’s body from various dangerous infections.

Modern scientific research confirms the fact that colostrum contains a number of special chemicals that protect the baby from the causative agents of some serious diseases - E. coli, streptococci, clostridia, Vibrio cholerae, salmonella, rotaviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses, Coxsackie and polio viruses, enteroviruses , herpes simplex viruses and even Candida fungi.

Participation in activating the work of internal organs

The growth factors contained in colostrum help stimulate the baby's gastrointestinal tract. Scientists have found that colostrum contains insulin, cortisol, and epidermal growth factor type I (IGF-I). These substances have a specific effect on the cellular epithelium of the baby’s gastrointestinal tract, helping to change the functioning of the digestive organs.

Colostrum has been noted to have a laxative effect.

This property is very important in the first days after the birth of a child, as it ensures the passage of meconium (original feces) from the child’s intestines. After birth, meconium remains in the baby's intestines, but is gradually eliminated. You can improve its removal from the child’s body with the help of colostrum

You can improve its removal from the child’s body with the help of colostrum.

Modern research has proven that colostrum also has a positive effect on baby growth. Scientists believe that growth factors contained in colostrum contribute to this. They stimulate the synthesis of molecular components inside cells, leading to their rapid growth.

How much should there be

Feeding your newborn colostrum is very important. The benefit is mutual: the baby receives invaluable drops and learns to digest food, the mother’s uterus contracts, and during these short periods of sucking the breast prepares for full feeding. After all, breastfeeding will place a significant strain on the delicate skin of the nipples, soreness and cracks are possible

This short-term training is needed to adapt to the next period.

After all, breastfeeding will place a significant strain on the delicate skin of the nipples, soreness and cracks are possible. This short-term training is needed to adapt to the next period.

It is difficult for a woman to independently determine whether her baby has enough colostrum or not. Moreover, during this period, colostrum does not flow from the breasts, like milk in the very first days of the establishment of lactation, the breasts do not swell every 3 hours.

It is believed that a newborn eats up this amount of food if he sleeps a lot, does not cry, and often empties his intestines. In addition, in the first days of life, he is not yet able to suck for a long time; he needs to regain strength after childbirth.

To pump or not?

During pregnancy, expressing and squeezing out colostrum is strictly prohibited. Mechanical impact on the nipples causes the release of the hormone oxytocin, which “brings” the smooth muscles of the uterus to full “combat readiness”, the tone increases, premature labor may begin, and placental abruption may occur. Therefore, the issue of pumping should not be raised before giving birth.

Expressing colostrum after childbirth, contrary to popular belief, does not in any way affect the rate of lactogenesis processes. Therefore, there is no need to express it. The only exceptions are cases when a woman cannot put her baby to her breast in the first hours and days after childbirth.

Expressing colostrum makes sense if:

• the child is in intensive care, he is not brought in for feeding due to his weak and painful condition, colostrum must be expressed so that the process of lactogenesis is not inhibited;
• the child was born weak, with a poorly developed sucking reflex; in order to “get” colostrum, the baby needs to try hard, and such children get tired quickly (expressed colostrum in this case is handed over to the medical staff so that the baby can take it from a bottle);

• the birth was difficult, the woman was given a large number of drugs, including antibiotics (especially the ototoxic Gentamicin, Neomycin and others); if there are a lot of medications in the mother’s body, doctors themselves may recommend that she refrain from breastfeeding for several days until the drugs are excreted in the urine, then;
• during pregnancy, a woman with a negative Rh factor had a high titer of antibodies; pumping should be carried out until doctors determine the baby’s blood type and Rh, and also make sure that he does not have hemolytic disease (in this case, breastfeeding is allowed, but if the disease is detected, the decision regarding breastfeeding is made on an individual basis);

• a long break unexpectedly occurred between feedings (the mother or child was taken away for examination, a feeding was missed due to transfer to another hospital, etc.), “stagnant” colostrum must be expressed;
• the child refuses the breast for various reasons (anatomically uncomfortable nipple, too strong nipple, the child is used to eating from a bottle, etc.); There are many ways to “defeat” a stubborn person and solve the problem of establishing breastfeeding, but temporarily it is still worth resorting to expressing colostrum.

All other mothers (and 90% of them or more) do not need to express colostrum. This is extra hassle, additional worries, and besides, expressed colostrum cannot be stored for a long time even in the refrigerator, and therefore it is completely unreasonable to “stock up” it for future use.

After caesarean section

If childbirth was performed surgically, then usually the change in stages of lactogenesis is somewhat delayed. You usually have to wait a little longer for milk to appear after a caesarean section than after a natural birth.

Expressing itself after surgery does not pose a risk to the health of the young mother. On the contrary, it stimulates the production of oxytocin, which will more intensely contract the smooth muscles of the uterus. This will allow the woman not only to establish lactation, but also to avoid a common problem among women in labor who have undergone surgery - congestion, poor contractility of the uterus, and adhesions.

Before you start pumping, you should definitely talk about it with your doctor. He will tell you how best to organize this process so that mother and child get the maximum benefit.

You will learn more about whether you need to express calluses after childbirth in the following video.

Is there enough milk for a breastfeeding baby?

Nature made sure that the woman who gave birth produced as much milk as the baby could eat in one feeding. As his appetite increases, the volume of milk produced also increases. And yet, young mothers are concerned about whether the newborn is getting enough to eat.

The main guideline in this matter is the condition of the child himself (and not the opinion of grandmothers or aunts). However, for mothers there are other signs that her child is full:

• the baby gains weight at least 120 g per week;
• the baby's weight gain per month is at least 500 g;
• the number of wet diapers during the day is at least 7-8 pieces (for each feeding - one wet diaper).

If your baby is not gaining weight well and rarely “signs” diapers, then you need to stimulate lactation, and this can be done in different ways.

How do the mammary glands change?

After washing the mammary glands, use a soft towel to dry and blot. Avoid sudden movements and avoid rubbing

It is important to use moisturizers in the early stages - when colostrum begins to appear during pregnancy. Due to this, you can prevent stretch marks on the chest and reduce the risk of developing cracks.

It is important to maintain a balanced diet, which reduces the consumption of simple carbohydrates, and increase the consumption of fats a month before giving birth. With the help of nutrition, a woman’s overall health improves, the future baby receives useful substances, and colostrum will become saturated in composition

Fats are essential for colostrum and breast milk to be nutritious.

With the onset of pregnancy, the female body begins to rebuild. First of all, the uterus enlarges. This process is accompanied by frequent urination, especially at night. The woman’s breasts do not remain unchanged. The mammary glands become larger, and heaviness and discomfort may appear in the chest area.

One of the most common phenomena is colostrum in pregnant women. When it appears and what causes it, you need to find out from your obstetrician-gynecologist. But it’s worth mentioning right away that there are no exact dates - it all depends on the individual characteristics of the body.

Sometimes colostrum appears in the early stages of pregnancy, when the woman does not yet know that she will soon become a mother. For first-time mothers, this fact is especially alarming and forces them to consult a doctor.

Women often discuss this topic with each other - when colostrum appears in pregnant women. Reviews from expectant mothers vary. But statistics show that only in 20% of cases fluid is released immediately after conception (at 3-4 weeks of pregnancy). This can be caused by the following factors:

• Visiting the sauna.
• Hot shower.
• Breast massage.
• Orgasm.
• Increased body temperature.

All these nuances can provoke the early appearance of colostrum.

As we found out earlier, one of the most common phenomena in the 3rd trimester is colostrum in pregnant women. When liquid appears, you need to follow some recommendations and rules:

Maintain hygiene. Wash your mammary glands with warm water at least 2 times a day. Use only special underwear - maternity bras are made from natural materials, they do not have wires that would squeeze the breasts

It is important to choose the right size. It is not recommended to wash nipples with soap to avoid cracks. But nourishing cream is allowed

This will moisturize your skin and get rid of stretch marks. During this period, it is recommended to use a soft towel so as not to irritate the nipples. If colostrum flows in large volumes and oozes through clothing, you can purchase special breast pads.

“When does colostrum appear in pregnant women?” - a question that interests many women. Experienced doctors will help you understand the nuances, but, as a rule, this happens after the 32nd week of pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the structure of the gland undergoes changes, this is due to preparation for lactation (the appearance of milk). The blood supply to the gland becomes intense, and under the influence of hormones, proliferation of both glandular tissue and ducts occurs. This process begins as early as three weeks after conception.

Before a woman gives birth to milk, the mammary glands undergo a number of transformations. The first symptoms of changes in pregnant women appear in the first month, when they notice heavier and swollen breasts. Moderate soreness lasts until childbirth and does not go away after a few days, as during premenstrual syndrome.

When should you panic?

The period of pregnancy and lactation is the time when a woman becomes panicky, and any changes in the body cause a storm of emotions and all kinds of fears. Therefore, in the issue of feeding and the appearance of first milk, it is necessary to understand when it is really worth worrying, and when speculation is groundless.

The appearance of colostrum during pregnancy

When milk is produced, changes occur in the mammary glands. Usually such changes cause discomfort. It is the fact of painful sensations, plus discharge from the nipple, that makes a woman panic.

Such changes are normal, because the body is preparing for the imminent feeding of a newborn. There are exceptions, when there is a risk of termination of pregnancy (threat of miscarriage), then the appearance of secretions from the mammary gland should alert you. When diagnosed with “threatened miscarriage,” the discharge of yellow fluid from the breast is a reason to consult a doctor.

The process of milk appearance

First, a woman produces colostrum and only then milk. The production of secretion begins in the last months of pregnancy and is episodic. Moreover, it can be released in minimal quantities. Already during gestation, a woman’s mammary glands enlarge due to the growth of special tubules, through which milk secretion will later begin to flow.

If a pregnant mother's colostrum has a yellowish tint and thickness, then on the eve of labor, it thins out and becomes transparent.

The expectant mother may feel the colostrum moving through the ducts, causing slight itching. By the way, neither discharge from the breast during pregnancy nor the absence of this phenomenon is a pathology. And even more so, it is impossible to judge by these signs whether a young mother has milk or non-milk breasts.

We recommend: How to increase breast milk lactation

In fact, from the moment of conception, the female body prepares to feed the baby. In some cases, early breast discharge may be caused by the following factors:

Changes in mood, outbursts of emotions, naturally leading to changes in hormonal levels, and it does not matter what feelings a woman experiences - positive or negative; Drinking hot tea, compote or other liquid; Massaging the mammary glands, sometimes prescribed by a doctor, often leads to this situation; Hygiene procedures using hot water.

Do not underestimate the properties of colostrum, because it contains many useful substances and is high enough in calories to satisfy the appetite of a newborn.

Beneficial properties and functions of colostrum:

1. Thanks to the secretion of the mammary glands, the child’s intestines are populated with beneficial lactic bacteria necessary for strong immunity;
2. The substance promotes the removal of primary feces from the body;
3. Prevents infection from entering the baby’s body, thanks to the protective cells contained;
4. Nourishes tissues and blood with essential vitamins, microelements and minerals;
5. Fills the blood with antioxidant elements that play a role in the adaptation of respiratory function.

In addition, colostrum prepares the newborn’s body to absorb full-fledged mother’s breast milk.

We recommend: Step-by-step instructions on how to properly bathe a newborn

Women should know that there are cases when colostrum discharge, accompanied by pain, may indicate the onset of a purulent process. Mastitis threatens the health of the mother in labor and can make healthy breast secretions harmful to the baby.

When the production of colostrum is accompanied by pain in the abdomen, as well as in the lumbar region during the last months of pregnancy, there is a threat of labor occurring ahead of schedule. In addition, colostrum mixed with blood or an unpleasant odor should also alert a woman and be a reason to urgently consult a doctor.

Such symptoms indicate tumor growths or the presence of an infectious infection. If childbirth is imminent, the danger is that bacteria may enter the mother's milk.

Answering the question of women interested in what day milk comes after childbirth, we can say that colostrum first begins to be intensively released - within three days, maximum, a week after childbirth. And only then does the mother produce milk.

What is colostrum?

The substance released from the breasts of the expectant mother during pregnancy and the one that accompanies her during the first “times” of feeding is called colostrum. It differs from usual breast milk both in appearance and in its microcomposition.

What does colostrum look like?

When it appears, colostrum is a sticky substance with a thick consistency, distinguished by viscosity and a sweetish taste. The color can range from cloudy-transparent to yellow. Usually the first milk appears in pregnant women in the later stages. There is little of it and the substance has a yellowish color. Closer to delivery, it brightens and becomes transparent with a whitish tint. Colostrum is very high in calories and contains approximately 100–120 kcal per 100 grams. It is this quality that helps nourish a newborn in the first days of his life.

What composition of elements is present in the first milk?

The main and unique substance in colostrum is the protein albumin. Thanks to it, the baby’s immunity increases, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract improves, and the ability to adapt to the outside world appears.

According to the chemical composition of the elements, it consists of:

• up to 88% from water;
• up to 7% from proteins (globulins and albumins);
• up to 5.5% from carbohydrates (lactose);
• up to 5% contains fats.

Also present in sufficient quantities for a small organism:

• B vitamins;
• vitamin A, PP, E;
• lactobacilli;
• mineral salts;
• hormones;
• food enzymes.

How is colostrum beneficial for a newborn?

In addition to the fact that this is the first and only “correct” food for a baby, colostrum saturates the newborn’s body with proteins, which are immune cells for a baby up to 6 months. After all, his own immunity will start after the first six months of life.

When breastfeeding, the baby's intestines are 100% filled with beneficial lacto- and bifidobacteria. No existing artificial formula for feeding has such properties. Thanks to the presence of “positive” bacteria, the child has no tummy problems, and the stool is stable and of normal consistency. Also, first milk helps minimize the risk of birth jaundice (jaundice) in children after birth.

Lactation crises: what they are and how to cope with them

When breastfeeding is established, milk is produced clearly and on time without unexpected hot flashes and other nuances. But every woman is individual, so many nursing mothers experience a sharp decrease in nutrient fluid at a certain time. Such phenomena are called lactation crises.

There are several periods when lactation may decrease:

• two weeks after birth. Some people may lose valuable liquid altogether. At this time, the crisis is associated with stress and emotional overstrain. Difficult childbirth, health problems for the baby, fatigue (especially if the baby does not sleep at night and does not allow the mother to sleep), the appearance of cracks in the nipples and, as a result, a painful feeding process. Not all women are able to cope with so many difficulties, so they begin to experience problems with milk production;
• a month after delivery. Most often this is due to the fact that the body has begun to adapt to lactation and is learning to regulate and produce as much milk as the baby needs, and no more;
• three and six months. The baby grows, shows more attention to the world around him, shows character, strives to learn and see something new. The sleep and wakefulness patterns change, so the frequency of breastfeeding may decrease, and with it the production of nutrition for the baby.

What to do to overcome lactation crises

1. The psychological attitude is very important. You need to be calm, tune in to success and a positive breastfeeding experience. Talk to your baby more often, calming him and yourself. The child feels the mother’s mood: if the woman is happy, joyful and balanced, the baby will feel the same way.
2. Get plenty of rest. Of course, getting a good night's sleep in the first months of your son or daughter's life is very difficult. But you can fall asleep during the day when the baby is sleeping.
3. Massage the mammary glands. Such actions stimulate blood circulation, which is useful for the movement of fluid through the milk ducts.
4. Follow the diet and drinking regime. Eat foods that increase lactation, and also drink more fluids.
5. Feed your baby on demand.
6. Increase the number of breastfeedings at night.

Video: what is a lactation crisis

Breastfeeding a child is a natural desire for most women. Experts insist that this valuable liquid contains all the necessary vitamins, minerals and immunoglobulins, which are so necessary for the full development of the baby. There is no need to panic in advance and be afraid that problems may arise with lactation. Lactation consultants and gynecologists will definitely answer any questions that arise, and latching will bring pleasure to the young mother and baby.

Colostrum after childbirth: what is it, when is it produced and why is it important to feed the baby with it?

The first healthy food a newborn is introduced to is colostrum.
But not every young mother knows what colostrum is, and even more so how to distinguish colostrum from regular breast milk. After all, someone gets to know him already at the stage of carrying a baby, and some wait for his arrival only a couple of days after birth. Colostrum is the baby's first food after birth. This is a nutritional substance that satisfies the baby’s needs for the necessary elements.

What is colostrum

First of all, it is a fluid released from the mother's breasts, which precedes the production of milk. This is an indispensable product for a baby, maximally adapted for the gastrointestinal tract of a newborn. Despite the quantity, this is quite a nutritious food for a baby.

Composition and properties

A young mother does not need to specify what colostrum looks like, since after childbirth the woman produces a few drops of the beneficial substance. A nursing mother can easily understand what it is and also see what color the colostrum is. The consistency is a rather thick yellowish liquid.

The composition of colostrum is distinguished by its nutritional properties and high level of protein.

Basically, this figure is within 4-7%; the calorie content of colostrum is just right for a newborn. There is little fat in these first secretions, and the baby’s digestive system is not yet ready to digest food that is too heavy. The amount of carbohydrates in the valuable liquid may vary, because this component directly depends on the diet of the nursing woman.

The usefulness of milk precursor lies in its composition. In addition to protein, it is a source of calcium, phosphorus and other vital elements. In addition, the immunoglobulins and antibodies it contains protect the body from infection and serve as a natural vaccine against numerous viruses. After all, breast-fed children have stronger immunity than formula-fed children.

When does colostrum begin to be produced?

There is no clear answer to the question of when colostrum appears. Some people feel a rush already in the late stages of pregnancy, while others (after a cesarean section) wait a day or two for valuable fluid to appear after birth.

We can say for sure that colostrum appears in the first days after childbirth, before milk production. It gradually changes; the composition of such nutrition is called transition milk already on the 4th or 5th day. The percentage of protein content decreases, and the amount of fat, on the contrary, increases.

Carbohydrates practically do not change their quantity, but the production of mature milk increases every day.

The released colostrum 4-5 days after birth is replaced by transitional milk, which in turn, with the establishment of lactation, becomes regular milk.

Why is there no milk immediately after birth?

Childbirth is stressful not only for the baby, but also for the female body. The mother needs time to recover, and the newborn needs time to adapt to the new environment. Nature provides that milk remains gradually, changing its composition and volume.

Colostrum is released in only a few drops, which contain everything essential for the baby, protecting the baby from infection, as well as restoring it after passing through the birth canal. The mother simply does not have the strength to deal with “milk rivers” after childbirth.

After all, even for the appearance of precious drops, the baby is applied to the breast immediately after delivery.

In the first hours, every mother is taught to properly attach the baby to the breast, since correct nipple latching and feeding technique primarily affect further lactation. Even if the mother does not feel colostrum or there is practically no colostrum, the newborn still needs to be fed as often as possible. This will start the lactation process and promote rapid milk production.

Sometimes the milk comes later. For example, if the birth took place by caesarean section.

If the operation is prescribed for medical reasons - a threat to life, incorrect positioning of the fetus in the womb or weak labor, then the female body suspends the production of oxytocin, which is responsible for the production of milk.

In such cases, lactation consultants advise drinking as much water as possible, sticking to a diet, eating a balanced diet and monitoring a comfortable air temperature around you. You should leave all negative emotions and worries for later, think about the good and take care of your health.

Features and tips for feeding during colostrum

Many women think that large breast size a priori leads to abundant lactation. However, this is not entirely true. It is important to teach your baby how to properly grasp the nipple, choose a position and position for feeding that is comfortable for you and the baby.

Mother's milk, and initially colostrum, not only serves as the main nutrition for the newborn, but also calms the baby and helps him adapt more easily. It is also the key to the child’s full development in the future.

Therefore, mothers often need additional time to establish contact with the baby.

For successful long-term lactation, a woman needs to put her baby to her breast as often as possible in order to develop colostrum and promote the early appearance of full-fledged milk.

You should feed your baby on demand, at least 9 times. In this case, it is worth choosing a comfortable position - you can feed the newborn lying on your side or sitting.

Give alternately to each breast at one feeding.

If the baby resists and does not take the breast, then the reason may be the incorrect shape of the nipple. You need to do everything possible to maintain lactation, so you should try feeding your baby using special nipple shields. It is important to monitor the diet of a nursing woman and maintain a drinking regime.

Is it possible to squeeze out colostrum?

There are times when expressing colostrum is not only possible, but also necessary. For example, for medical reasons - hardened nipples during the first feedings. They are developed before giving to the child - they squeeze out the first drops themselves or express them until the nipple is soft to the touch.

Also, due to the baby’s lack of a sucking reflex, the baby may have been born premature.

Separate stay of mother and newborn or situations where the newborn was placed in an incubator, childbirth with complications or the use of medications that are prohibited during lactation - in such cases you can express.

But in the usual picture, it is not worth disrupting the process of natural feeding established by nature. The baby will suck out the liquid exactly in the volume that it needs, and with frequent and correct feeding there is no point in additionally emptying the breast.

Colostrum is an inevitable stage of breastfeeding. Rich nutrition for a baby will fill the little body with all the useful substances, soothe and protect against harmful bacteria.

Therefore, every caring mother should familiarize herself with the rules of feeding immediately after childbirth, choose the appropriate tactics for herself, feel her own body and the child, and then there will be no problems with the onset of lactation.

Source: https://prostoGV.ru/breast_milk/molozivo-posle-rodov

Causes of delayed or lack of milk

What to do in a situation where there is little or no milk? Two hormones are responsible for the process of its production: prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin begins to be produced during pregnancy and enters the bloodstream after childbirth. Oxytocin is produced during breastfeeding. It is these hormones that promote the production of breast milk after childbirth. The presence of colostrum depends on the characteristics of delivery - whether it was through natural birth or cesarean section.

What is the condition and are there any problems in the postpartum period? These are the main reasons why a woman in labor does not have colostrum. For mothers who gave birth by cesarean section, colostrum may come only 2-3 days after birth, and milk on 5-7 days. If there is very little colostrum, but there is some, then simply put the baby to the breast more often.

As the baby grows, its need for breast milk will also increase. A period of shortage may occur - it is called a lactation crisis. At this point, the mother should think about continuing breastfeeding. It usually occurs 2 weeks after birth and lasts about 7 days. Don't panic and start supplementing with formula right away. It is necessary to increase lactation by all means.

To establish breastfeeding:

1. Drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day
2. Eat healthy and varied
3. Avoid stress
4. Get more rest

As soon as milk begins to come in, a woman needs to carefully monitor the condition of her breasts to prevent stagnation. Stagnation or lactostasis, i.e. milk retention in the mammary ducts.

Milk stagnation in the first days after childbirth is quite common, especially in first-born mothers. The young mother is not yet experienced and does not know how to properly express colostrum with her hands; the thoracic ducts have not yet developed, so seek advice from your midwife. If stagnation is not resolved in time, a dangerous complication may develop - mastitis, which cannot always be treated conservatively; surgical intervention is often required.

Symptoms of lactostasis:

1. Breast pain
2. Lump in the mammary gland.
3. Local temperature rise

Causes of lactostasis:

• Insufficient expression of remaining milk after feeding
• Hypothermia
• Incorrect attachment to the breast
• Tight bra

How does colostrum appear? Physiological process!

After conception, changes begin in the female body, and they do not bypass the breasts. It swells and increases in size. The longer the pregnancy, the more active all sections of the mammary glands are: the tubules become wider, the lobules of the glands become larger. Such changes occur due to the intense production of fluid in the breast, which is commonly called colostrum. And all this happens under the influence of the hormonal background of a pregnant woman. The hormones directly “responsible” for this process are prolactin and oxytocin.

When a mother feeds her newborn, oxytocin causes the myoepithelium that surrounds the alveoli to contract. Thanks to such contractions, the first milk appears under the influence of the hormone prolactin and comes out of the nipple. During breastfeeding, oxytocin enters the gland, thereby helping fluid move through the subareolar ducts to the nipple.

With stable production of these hormones throughout pregnancy, the breasts will steadily increase in size, increased sensuality will appear, the nipples will swell, and the woman will be able to easily feed the newborn after childbirth.

Let's summarize

Many people mistakenly believe that the baby is not getting enough colostrum and start pumping to increase the volume of secretions. However, this opinion is wrong. Colostrum is a very valuable and nutritious product. It contains substances that provide strong immunity to the child for several months of life. In addition, in the first days after birth, the baby’s gastrointestinal tract is just beginning to function, and the amount of colostrum is quite enough to provide the baby’s internal organs with the necessary (but not more!) load.

It is also worth noting that expressed colostrum should be fed to the baby immediately. It cannot be stored for a long time even in the refrigerator, so the question of constant pumping disappears by itself.

In any case, it should be borne in mind that sites on the Internet can only give some recommendations. But if you have any problems or questions about breastfeeding, you should contact a specialist so as not to risk your health or the health of your baby.

Beneficial features

Colostrum contains many nutritional elements, the consistency is similar to milk, usually with a yellowish tint, this makes it easier for the newborn to get used to new conditions. At different periods, colostrum has characteristics - thick, liquid, rich in color, pale, without color.

The first fluid appears during the second trimester of expecting a baby. There are times when there is no colostrum or milk even after childbirth. It's not scary, it can appear in two to three days.

Why there is no colostrum after childbirth:

1. in case of caesarean section;
2. separation from a child;
3. The baby is not attached to the breast.

If milk does not appear at all, it means that there are certain problems in the body. In this situation, you need to contact a doctor who prescribes tests, after which treatment is selected.

Colostrum has a high nutritional composition, it contains proteins, fats, vitamins, enzymes, hormones, and minerals. These are the first immune cells for a newborn, since a baby’s immunity starts after six months of life.

Thanks to colostrum, various bacteria do not penetrate into the baby’s stomach and intestines. The cells are considered 100% beneficial bifidobacteria, which fill the gastrointestinal tract. No formula for babies has such beneficial properties. The child does not complain about his tummy, the stool is always stable. Therefore, colostrum is the right and healthy food for a small organism.

The manifestation of the first signs of lactation in a mother is influenced by her physiological characteristics. But when such necessary food for the baby does not appear, the woman worries. She wonders what the reasons for this absence are, because this is nutrition that has no analogues in nature.