15 Most Frequently Searched Queries About Breastfeeding Answered By Expert

Every year, we celebrate the first week of August as Breastfeeding Week to spread awareness on the subject, burst myths, and overcome taboos associated with it. Breastfeeding a baby is one of the crucial aspects of being a new mother, and everyone has several queries.

Whether diet or composition of milk, a mother keeps searching and reading the pages of the internet to do what is right for the baby. We picked 15 frequently searched questions on Google and asked Ruth Patterson, Chief Manager, Lactation, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Bengaluru, to get you unfiltered answers.

1. What are the four stages of breastfeeding?

There are four stages of breastfeeding - Lactogenesis is the stage one is the ability of a woman to secrete milk. It starts between 12 to 16 weeks of pregnancy. The second stage is transitional milk, which lasts for about 4-10 days. It is when mature breast milk replaces colostrum (the first breast milk).

Stage three is when the mother is feeding her baby mature milk. It usually starts 10 days after the second stage. The last stage is called weaning. It is when you start introducing the baby to solid food, and depending on that, the amount of lactation changes.

2. What are the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers?

Breastfeeding has many benefits for a new mother. According to Patterson, it prevents breast, ovaries, and uterine cancer. It helps to reduce fat from the body and promotes bonding with the baby.

Breastfeeding has been associated with reducing chances of osteoporosis and chronic illness like hypertension, cardiac problems, and diabetes at a young age.

3. What are the benefits of breastfeeding for newborns?

Breast milk contains optimum nutrition for a newborn. It is easy to digest for the baby and has been found to reduce the chances of infections. It is highly unlikely that a baby would be allergic to breast milk.

4. What are the types of breast milk?

There are three types of breast milk - for the first three days, it is referred to as colostrum or golden liquid. It is a high-density liquid. The next is transitional milk, which is a mix of hind (later phase) and fore (initial phase) milk. The last is mature milk that the baby drinks until the mother stops breastfeeding.

5. Does one breast produce more milk than the other?

Yes, one breast can produce more milk than the other. Patterson said that it depends on which side the baby latches more. Lactation is a process of demand and supply. If a baby empties one breast frequently, it will start producing more milk compared to the other.

6. How much milk can breasts produce?

A woman can produce breast milk from 750mL to 1000mL in six months.

7. How do you know that your breast is empty?

When you have breastfed the baby, your breasts will feel light and when you try to express, little amount of milk will be produced. This is how you can know that your breasts are empty.

8. Why do breasts leak milk?

It is because of the oxytocin hormone that leads to the leaking of breast milk. It is a sign that your breasts are full, and you can feed the baby. You can also use a breast pump to release the milk.

9. How long can breasts stay full?

It can vary from woman to woman. There is no specific timeline. If a woman feeds at a shorter interval, the breasts will be emptied soon. If a mother feeds at larger intervals, the breasts will remain full for a long time.

10. Does wearing/ not wearing a bra help with milk production?

Contrary to popular belief, Patterson busted the myth and said that wearing or not wearing a bra has no impact on lactation. However, the garment can help to carry the weight because breasts tend to become heavy when they are full.

11. Does every woman lactate after giving birth?

Patterson said that most women start lactating after giving birth. She added that only a few percent of women might experience a delay in lactating due to an underlying medical condition.

12. What is the impact of not breastfeeding on mothers and infants?

If a woman does not breastfeed while she is lactating, she can develop lumps due to blocked ducts. It can also lead to the build-up of abscesses. It can reduce the production of milk in her breasts. The baby in such cases might not be able to get optimal nutrition.

13. How long do people breastfeed?

Patterson quoted WHO and UNICEF and said that six months of exclusive breastfeeding is necessary for the baby. After six months, the baby can rely on solid food and external sources of milk. A mother can continue breastfeeding for two years.

14. What common challenges do women face while breastfeeding?

One of the most common challenges that women face while breastfeeding is witnessing their baby struggling to latch on in the first few days after birth. Other challenges include cracked and sore nipples, engorgement, and not being able to produce enough breast milk.

15. How much water should a breastfeeding mother drink every day?

A lactating mother must drink at least 2 litres every day, said Patterson.

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