Page 24 - Baby Society Magazine Issue 30

UNLEASHING OUR SUPERPOWER: BREASTFEEDING
BY AUTUMN WAKE ADVANCED BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT
In the realm of parenting, breastfeeding stands out as one of the most remarkable superpowers that mammals possess- it also seems to be one of the most difficult for the human species. Amidst the sea of information available today, the subject of breastfeeding often brings confusion and conflicting advice. Feeding is the benchmark of survival for any species ... why is it so hard for so many of us?
As a lactation consultant, I frequently look at the feeding behaviors observed in other mammals. One striking difference in the human experience of milk production is our interference with the natural processes of pregnancy and birth. Unlike most mammals, human pregnancy and birth are subjected to a rigid assembly line of interventions.
It is apparent, a barrier to effective breastfeeding lies in our misunderstanding of our bodies' inherent wisdom in birth and making milk. Human bodies are meticulously designed for breastfeeding. This process begins early in pregnancy, with glandular milk tissue developing around 10-12 weeks gestation.
By 22-24 weeks, these tissues usually begin to utilize their function. Yes, there is milk/colostrum before your baby arrives! Every subsequent step thereafter hinges on the events during and following birth. With the delivery of the baby and placenta, there's a hormonal shift to a demand-driven system. Ideally, we need baby to start suckling at the breast as soon as possible- we call this the “golden hour.” However, we would probably be more successful if we didn’t focus on this hour but the first few days instead.
Immediately after birth, the responsibility for milk supply transfers to the newborn, as long as we give them uninterrupted access to the breast.