| Lactogenesis is the process by which your breasts develop the ability to produce milk. The first stage of lactogenesis occurs in about the middle of your pregnancy.
Your body produces milk in response to the maternal hormone prolactin. When your newborn sucks at the breast, it causes more prolactin to be released in your body, which causes more milk to be produced. Therefore, the more your baby breastfeeds, the more milk you will produce.
In addition to prolactin, there are other factors that are involved in milk production. These include local factors, including an inhibitor of milk production that is produced as milk builds up in the breast.
At first you will only produce colostrum, which is a yellowish fluid that is very high in protein and contains factors that will help your baby fight infections. If possible, you should try and breast feed soon after your baby is born and before he is taken to the nursery.
After three or four days, your breast will become engorged as your milk comes in. This is the second stage of lactogenesis.
If your breasts are too swollen or breast feeding is painful, then you may take a hot shower or use a heating pad before feedings, gently massage toward the nipple while your baby is breastfeeding, use cold compresses or an ice pack after feedings, or softening the areola by expressing some milk with your hand before your baby latches on. Also, engorgement can be prevented if you baby is latching on frequently and effectively.
Once your baby begins sucking on the breast, it causes your body to produce another hormone called oxytocin. This hormone causes contraction of cells in the breast and ejection of milk, the let down reflex. It may take time for this reflex to work effectively and it does seem to work best if you are in a relaxed mood. Also, the release of oxytocin may be inhibited by stress or pain.
Your breasts will continue to produce milk (lactation) as long as milk is removed from the breasts. Involution usually occurs after weaning, when breast milk is not being removed from the breasts any longer.
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