A New Beginning

ANATOMY OF THE BREAST

PHYSIOLOGY OF THE BREAST Stimulation of the breast by the baby’s sucking sends messages to the pituitary gland in the brain. The gland secretes a hormone known as prolactin . Prolactin stimulates the milk gland cells within the breast to begin producing milk. Oxytocin is another hormone that is released. This hormone causes the cells around the milk glands to contract and squeeze the milk down the milk ducts and out of the nipples. This response is known as let-down, or milk ejection reflex. Oxytocin also aids in the mother’s ability to relax. You may not feel the sensations commonly associated with let-down until your milk volume increases.

FATTY TISSUE

ALVEOLI

MILK DUCTS

NIPPLE

AREOLA

MILK PRODUCTION Milk production is regulated by supply and demand. As milk is removed from the breast, it encourages more milk to be produced. In most cases, as your baby breastfeeds on cue, they will have all the milk needed for

SCAN + PLAY

growth and development. In some circumstances, your baby’s health care provider may prescribe a supplemental feeding. If that is the case, you will want to consider pumping around the time of that feeding to help maintain and/or increase your milk volume.

The more you breastfeed, hand express or pump,

96

A New Beginning