Preparation Of Milk During Pregnancy And After Baby Birth

Mother Body Prepare for Produce Milk During Pregnancy

 Preparation for Breastfeeding during Pregnancy Starting Breastfeeding Colostrum Mature Breast Milk Pre-milk and Post-milk.

 Preparation for Breastfeeding during Pregnancy

    Experience among rural women has shown that most of them breastfeed successfully and do not consider an alternative. Also, problems like painful or cracked nipples and engorgement are rare. However, a health worker should know what advice to give should any such problem arise.

    Every health worker should make sure that each mother understands the advantages of breastfeeding. If she has had problems with breastfeeding in the past, such as engorgement or sore nipples, the health workers should explain how she can prevent this from happening.

    Some women believe their nipples are too short for breastfeeding. The health worker should in that case advise the mother to press the areola on either side of the nipple. This makes most nipples stand out and appear longer. 

    She should then gently try and pull the nipple and areola. Some mothers worry about the nipples not being protractile. They usually become alright once the baby begins to suck.

    The earlier recommended technique of stretching the areola-Hoffman exercises has not been found to be helpful. It may start uterine contractions. If however the problem persists, a simple technique for the management of this condition can be tried. The nozzle end of the syringe is cut, the plunger withdrawn from its usual position and inserted through the cut end. 

    Negative suction is then applied via the new open end kept over the nipple and the adjacent areola. Once the nipple protracts out, the baby is put to the breast in the correct position. When repeated a few the nipples become protractile and breastfeeding becomes easier.

    The health worker should explain to the mother that it is important to keep her own healthy and strong, and she should eat an extra helping of the family food and some green vegetables that she should also try and take some rest and lie down for half to one hour during the afternoon.

Starting Breastfeeding

Colostrum

    As soon after birth as possible the mother should put the baby to her breast. Initially, there will only be a little yellowish and thick colostrum, but it is enough for the baby and is very rich in proteins and protective antibodies which protect the baby from neonatal infections. It is really like an oral vaccine for preventing infections. 

    However, there seems to be a deep-rooted prejudice against giving colostrum and many mothers do not put the baby to the breast for one or two days or even longer. Instead, they feed the baby water sweetened with sugar, glucose or jaggery. Often it is a herbal mixture called ghutti or janam ghutti. 

    This practice should be discouraged for two reasons: (i) the baby gets no nourishment during the first two days, and (ii) due to the baby not sucking the breast the stimulus to milk production is delayed which interferes with milk production. This fluid may also produce infection if it is prepared in an unhygienic way. 

    To satisfy cultural beliefs, a drop or two of the fluid may be put into the baby's mouth, making sure that it is clean and there no danger of infection. Often the mother and the family can be persuaded to start breastfeeding after squeezing out a few drops of what they perceive to be blocked up milk. 

    A sympathetic health worker can help to overcome this prejudice by explaining to the mothers and their families the protective value of colostrum, and encouraging them to feed it to the baby. Early contact between the mother and baby is important for both bonding and breastfeeding.

Mature Breast Milk

    Mature milk starts from the third or fourth day. The quantity increases gradually, and the breasts tend to get engorged and tense. However, this is relieved once the baby starts sucking vigorously. The color of the milk too changes from yellowish to a whitish color.

Pre-milk and Post-milk

    At the beginning of a feed, the milk looks grey and watery. This is foremilk. contains plenty of proteins, lactose, vitamins and minerals, and plenty water to satisfy the baby's thirst but no much fat. Towards the end of the feed, the milk looks much whiter. This is hindmilk. It is rich in fat and produces about half of the energy of a feed.