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Breast Milk ProductionHow Lactation Occurs In Breast Feeding Mothers?Breast Milk Production - How The Process Of Lactation Starts?Lactation is used for the breast milk production or formation in mothers after the birth of baby. Lactation starts following delivery or birth of baby, the preparation of effective lactation starts during pregnancy. The lactation can be divided into four stages to understand its proper physiology.
Mammogenesis Or Preparation Of Breasts For Breast Milk Production:Pregnancy is associated with a remarkable growth in the size of breast. The enhanced size of breast in pregnancy is due to the growth of ducts and lobuloalveolar (ducts and segments) systems in breast. An intact nerve supply is not essential for the growth of mammary glands during pregnancy. Estrogen, Adrenal steroids and Growth hormone affect the ducts during this phase. Progesterone, Estrogen, Prolactin, Adrenal steroids and Growth hormone affect the lobuloalveolar segment of the breast in this phase of breast milk production. Lactogenesis For Breast Milk Production:Some secretory activity is evident in the form of Colostrum or early milk during pregnancy or just after child birth. This secretory activity is accelerated following birth of baby. This early form of milk is essential and very good for the health of the baby. Secretory activity refers to secretion of milk in the milk producing unit of breast or in alveoli. Actual milk secretion starts actually on 3rd or 4th day after the birth of baby. Around this time breasts become engorged, tense, tender and feel warm. Despite the high prolactin level during pregnancy, milk secretion is kept in abeyance. Perhaps the steroids Estrogen and Progesterone that are circulating in the blood of pregnant lady make the breast tissue unresponsive to prolactin presence. When the circulating Estrogen and Progesterone are withdrawn from the blood after the birth of baby, Prolactin begins its milk secretory activity in previously fully developed and prepared breasts. This secretory activity is enhanced directly and indirectly by Growth hormone, Thyroxine, Glucocorticoids and Insulin. Nursing effort is not essential for secretion of milk. Galactokinesis or Ejection Of Milk For Breast Milk Production:Discharge of milk from the mammary glands of breast depends upon the suction exerted by the baby during suckling. Contractile mechanism also helps by expressing the milk from alveoli into the ducts. During suckling, a conditioned nervous reflex is set up. The impulses start from the nipples to Supraoptic nucleus in brain and thence along the hypothalamo-pituitary axis to posterior pituitary. It appears to be so complicated and essentially when the love of baby is there, all this is simply a loving privilege of Moms! Oxytocin is secreted from posterior pituitary which exerts several effects on the uterus and breast. In breasts, there is contraction of the myoepithelial cells of alveoli and ducts containing the milk. This is the "milk ejection" or "milk let down" reflex that forces the milk down into the lactiferous ducts. From lactiferous ducts milk is expressed either by the mother by hand or sucked out by the baby. A sensation of rise in pressure in the breast is felt by the mother at the begining of suckling. It is called "draught". This effect can be produced artificially by the injection of Oxytocin hormone. The milk ejection reflex is inhibited by several factors like pain in breasts or body, breast engorgement, psychological upsets. In addition this ejection reflex might be weak for several days following breast feeding and it results in breast engorgement. Galactopoiesis or Maintenance Of Lactation:The hormone Prolactin appears to be the single most important factor for maintenance of lactation. Sucking is also essential for maintenance of lactation. Sucking is essential for the removal of milk from the glands in breast but also for the release of Prolactin. Secretion of milk is a continuous process unless suppressed by congestion or emotional disturbances. Milk pressure reduces the rate of breast milk production. So periodic breast feeding is necessary to relieve the pressure that in turn maintains the secretion of milk inside the breast.
Breast
Milk Production - The Physiology Of Lactation>>>
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