An important part of breastfeeding is the knowledge of the path it represents, and although the undeniable benefits of breastfeeding are almost always talked about, the enormous challenges it can represent are rarely discussed, which in the long run can lead to a tired and unmotivated mother to stop breastfeeding and prefer formula.
The reality is that breastfeeding, like many things in this beautiful journey, is not simple and involves an enormous effort to establish it correctly, not to mention bringing it to the minimum times recommended by the WHO or even talk about prolonged breastfeeding.
Your best tool is knowledge: to the extent that you are informed and convinced about breastfeeding, you will be able to practice it freely and lovingly with your baby.
Breastfeeding Physiology.
During pregnancy, the breast grows, the diameter of the areola increases, the pigment increases, the nipples become more erect and the veins become prominent.
Many hormones are involved in this process:
preparing your breasts to produce milk even before birth (see the "Important Breastfeeding Facts" section on "Pre-Calostrum" milk).
Remember that breastfeeding is something that comes naturally, so even though it may present challenges and conflicts, trust yourself and your motherly instincts.
Important Recommendations.
We have a space on this site dedicated exclusively to addressing myths (go to our "Breastfeeding Myths and Problems" section), but there are certain points that are important to keep in mind upfront to ensure that your breastfeeding establishment is successful:
The medical team surrounding you should be informed and pro-breastfeeding so that they can address your doubts in a timely and truthful manner, in addition to supporting you in adapting the treatments and medications that you may require, keeping as a priority that your breastfeeding thrives.
These cases happen more often when the baby is no longer a newborn, but continues to breastfeed, in general the comment is usually "your milk is no longer needed".
From their regular check-ups to verify their health and weight gain, to any issues related to discomfort or symptoms of health problems, it should be a professional who does not disdain breastfeeding or suspend it without a compelling justification.
Pro-lactation Hospital
In addition to knowing that a pro-breastfeeding medical team accompanies you, the hospital where you decide to have your child should have a pro-breastfeeding policy for you and your baby. Your team should be respectful of this process and support it at all times, mainly because the success of the establishment of correct breastfeeding depends on the first days of the baby's life.
From ensuring that you are given the so-called "golden hour" (the first hour of life that provides a strong establishment of the mother-child bond, but also awakens the instinctive latching on to the breast, establishing the baby's first action of life to feed from mom), to your baby staying with you as long as possible and not being given formula milk without informing you and having your consent, are part of the actions that the Hospital should clarify before the birth.
Close family and friends should be aware of the mother's decision to be pro-breastfeeding and respect and support her to continue on this path.
Perhaps in addition to medical recommendations, family and friends can make a new mother have doubts.
Many recommendations and advice are given in an attempt to support but may be outdated, without scientific support, or merely opinions/customs. There are many cases in which the mother feels so confused that as soon as the baby cries too much, she resorts to formula, ending her breastfeeding path.
The mother's partner or caregiver should be the first person in the circle to be 100% supportive of breastfeeding. Ask family and friends to respect the process between mom and baby.
Along the way, problems or doubts may arise in the circle that may cause the mother to doubt, but when this happens, the best thing to do is seek the help of a health professional.
- Information on milk production, especially during the first days of life.
Throughout your life as a breastfeeding mother, you will have fluctuations in your production; this is part of a normal process; if you add to this some conditions that you may have, such as hyperlactation -excess production- or hypogalactia -low production-, it can become a roller coaster.
Again, the best recommendation we can give you is to inform yourself about the different scenarios you may have, so that you do not confuse a transitory condition as something definitive, which may lead you to give up.
One of the most critical moments just before the baby's birth is the production of the first days. For decades there has been a myth that "In the first days, there is not enough milk" this is heard among family, friends, and even health personnel and has been running with too much force and stubbornness. Because of this, the efforts of the first days, which are the most important for breastfeeding, are entirely hindered by the inclusion of milk formulas. In the long run, this will surely be the cause of why breastfeeding is left behind.
To put it bluntly, in the first few days (approximately 4 to 5) there is indeed NO milk, BUT THERE IS COLOSTRUM, which we discussed in the "Important Breastfeeding Facts" section.
Also known as "Liquid Gold", this production is yellowish because it is a super concentrated liquid, rich in proteins, minerals, and immunoglobulins, which are SUFFICIENT for the baby's tiny stomach. Even if there are moms who decide not to breastfeed, many health specialists recommend that they at least give colostrum to their babies because of the great benefits it represents for their systems.
However, both colostrum and breast milk are very easy for the baby to digest, so it is very common that after a feeding, the baby will ask for it again soon. This should not be misinterpreted as "he is hungry" or that "the milk does not fill him up", since this is due to the fundamental golden rule of breastfeeding:
“The higher the suction, the higher the production”
In the early days, then, this constant level of demand is precisely what causes milk to eventually rise, leaving Colostrum behind.
Breastfeeding counseling
Specific associations advocate and advise on breastfeeding issues, with greater dedication and exceptional attention to each mother, considering her particular circumstances. We recommend that during this stage, you seek the support of these advisors to help you with any problems you may have.
We also recommend that you seek your "tribe" of women who are going through or will go through the same thing. They can be friends, family, or even virtual groups you can rely on to talk about any doubts, concerns, and challenges—having the support of women in the same position as you really makes a difference.
Golden Rule of Breastfeeding
As we mentioned above: "The more suction, the more production". This is the golden rule in breastfeeding since the body is so wise and magical that it responds to a very simple cycle: supply and demand.
The woman's body responds instinctively and naturally by offering the newborn a balanced food specifically for them. If the baby asks for it again, the body registers this and adapts its production and composition. As the baby grows and the growth spurts pass (see our section "Growth Spurts and Separation Distress"), your body will adapt and regulate the quantity and quality of milk as it adjusts to the demand. This is why breastfeeding slowly begins to be impacted when formulas are introduced to the process, as it gets in the way of this natural production cycle.
If the mother initiates a milk bank and performs additional stimulation, her body will register this change and adapt the supply to meet the demand; when the weaning process begins, the body will register this and produce less milk until it ceases altogether.
Changes in production under this rule are not automatic and do not happen from one day to the next. It is understood that the body makes a record with each intake and, if certain specific conditions are repeated, within approximately 15 days, the change in production is recorded.