Being a parent comes with various challenges and decisions that parents must make for their baby on their journey of parenthood. The first decision is to be made between nursing or formula feed. If you’re planning to breastfeed and are searching for reliable information on when lactation starts, this blog is for you.
In this blog, we will share more about when lactation starts in pregnancy, the stages of lactation, and how to increase milk supply. Meanwhile, you can better understand lactation and nursing in infants by the lactation professionals available at Tongue Tie Phoenix.
Contact lactation consultants, discuss your concerns, and learn about lactation and breastfeeding techniques and positions before or after delivery. Our professionals would love to serve.
Read: 5 Methods for Feeding Your Baby Affected by Tongue Tie
What is Lactation?
Lactation is a natural phenomenon when humans produce and release milk. The milk is produced by the mammary glands and released by your breasts. It is also administered hormonally when a woman is pregnant.
Furthermore, with the help of science, it is now possible to induce lactation without pregnancy using some hormones. Lactation continues as long as milk is removed from your breasts and ends when your body stops producing milk.
How Do Women Produce Milk?
Now, you might be wondering when the lactation period starts. So, let’s come to the main point: when does a woman start lactation, and how do women produce milk? The lactation process begins with hormonal changes, which are a part of the lactogenesis process. The process has three major stages that are shared in detail below:
Stage 1: Secretory Initiation
The first lactogenesis stage starts during the 16th week of pregnancy and continues till the second half. During this stage, you start growing more milk ducts, and the nipple gets darker. Furthermore, the body starts producing colostrum, the first nutritious milk for your baby.
Stage 2: Secretory Activation
The second phase of the lactation journey is secretory activation, which begins after delivery. When the placenta is removed, the progesterone levels drop, leading to an elevation in prolactin, insulin, and cortisol. All these hormones combine to stimulate milk production.
In a few days, the milk will start coming, and you may feel swelling in your breasts, indicating that the lactogenesis is active and hormones are stimulated.
Stage 3: Lactogenesis
The last lactogenesis stage is called breastfeeding or chestfeeding, which occurs when your baby is on your feed. Prolactin produces milk, and oxytocin causes muscle contractions, allowing the milk to flow through the ducts.
When Does Breast Milk Come After Birth?
The milk supply starts after 2-3 days of delivery when your body is prepared and ready to deliver colostrum. This is a hormonal process that begins naturally during the pregnancy.
As the baby gets the hang of the feeding and their needs evolve, your body will automatically start the stages of lactogenesis. From colostrum to transitional milk production, your body finally delivers mature breast milk, which helps nourish the infant.
What Can Affect the Lactation?
Lactation is a phenomenon that is easily affected by several factors. These factors can be hormonal or environmental. However, if any of these factors disturb lactogenesis, you must consult a lactation consultant to determine the root cause. Here are the factors that have a strong impact on the milk supply such as:
- Poor dietary intake
- Dopamines and pramipexole
- Hormonal imbalances
- Trauma or surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Medical history
How to Boost Milk Supply in New Mothers?
Nursing the child boosts the supply automatically when it signals your body to lactate more. The more signals your body gets about the need for milk, the more your body will produce milk.
However, some tips can help mother produce more milk and improve their overall milk supply, such as:
- Take a highly nutritious diet that is essential for mothers to fulfill their and their baby’s nutritional needs.
- The use of postnatal vitamins helps improve the milk supply.
- Emptying your breasts after each nursing session gives the body teh signal to lactate more.
- Getting enough sleep is essential to function well with the baby.
- Use both breasts for feeding.
- Gently massage the breasts to induce the milk supply.
- Consult with a lactation consultant to get professional advice.
FAQs
When do you start lactating when pregnant?
During the 16th week of pregnancy, the women start lactation, which lasts till a few days after they give birth. Moreover, it begins with colostrum production and results in a mature milk supply.
When does milk come from the breast without pregnancy?
A medical condition known as galactorrhea causes the breasts to leak milk without pregnancy. It’s not harmful but requires proper treatment. Furthermore, science has made it possible to get milk from breasts with some hormone changes in the body without getting pregnant.
When do nipples give milk?
Usually, milk production begins around the midpoint of pregnancy, but nipples give milk after 2-4 days of delivery when the the placenta is removed.
