Diary Of A Pregnancy

There are huge hormone changes in the early post-natal period, starting when your placenta is expelled just after your baby’s birth. This causes a sudden drop in pregnancy hormones, especially oestrogen, which causes a corresponding release of the lactation hormone, prolactin, from the pituitary gland in your brain. Prolactin starts the process of milk production in the breast; milk being made from the fatty globules in your blood.

It is the action of putting your baby to your breast to suckle that triggers your ‘let down’ reflex in which oxytocin is released from your pituitary gland to stimulate special cells in the breast. These cells squeeze the milk-producing cells, causing milk to be forced towards the nipple. Suckling in turn stimulates more prolactin to produce more milk. Thus breastfeeding is very much a ‘supply and demand’ situation – the more your baby suckles, the more milk will be produced. Conversely, if you decide not to breastfeed your baby, or when you start to wean him onto solid foods, reducing the time he spends suckling at the breast decreases the prolactin supply and the consequent oxytocin stimulation, so milk production is also decreased.

Milk production is a continuous cycle of supply and demand – the more you put your baby to the breast, the more milk you will produce.

During your pregnancy you will need to think about how you hope to feed your baby, but be prepared to keep an open mind. Everyone knows that breastfeeding is best for babies, since humans produce milk for human babies. Artificial (formula) milk is produced from cow’s milk – but cow’s milk is intended for calves, so it has to be changed in several ways to make it suitable for human consumption. However, breastfeeding does not suit all mothers and you may decide that you would prefer to bottle-feed your baby. If you and your partner have decided that breastfeeding does not appeal to you, or if you are returning to work soon after the birth, it can be more convenient and easier to establish than breastfeeding. If you have any medical conditions which could be made worse by the exertion of breastfeeding, such as a heart problem, or if you require medication which could be passed to your baby, you may be advised by your doctor or midwife to bottle-feed.

The following points aim to give you the positive aspects of breastfeeding or bottle-feeding but you will see that there are infinitely more advantages to the former, especially for your baby. It is not the aim of this article to try to influence your decision as it is your choice and may be based on very particular, personal circumstances. Whatever your reasons, you need to be happy – and positive -about the decision you make. Ask your midwife, family doctor or paediatrician for advice and sources of local information.

However, if you find it difficult to make a decision at this stage, it is worth trying breastfeeding first, even if it is only for a week or two, as the early milk, or colostrum, which your baby receives in the first few days, is highly nutritious and provides several important antibodies and protective mechanisms for your baby.

Positive aspects of breastfeeding – for you
- aids shrinking of uterus
- helps weight loss
- hormone levels when fully breastfeeding may have contraceptive effect
- quick, easy, no preparation
- inexpensive
- less post-natal depression
- less risk of breast cancer
- less risk of ovarian cancer
- less risk of osteoporosis.

Positive aspects of breastfeeding – for your baby
- aids development of his immune system
- aids responses to vaccinations
- nutritional effects may enhance child’s learning abilities at school
- aids social development
- better dental health
- better general health
- fewer digestive infections
- less diarrhoea
- fewer breathing problems
- less risk of eczema/allergy
- less risk of obesity
- less risk of diabetes
- less risk of high blood pressure
- less risk of cot death
- less risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

Positive aspects of breastfeeding – for society
- reduces cost of infant feeding
- reduces medical care costs
- helps child spacing
- increases survival of siblings
- more effective vaccination
- more ecological.

Positive aspects of bottle-feeding – for you
- offers you a choice
- easier to establish than breastfeeding, more convenient, more comfortable to establish
- your partner and other people can feed your baby when you are tired or unavailable
- supply of milk not affected by what you eat or drink
- your sex drive may return quicker than with breastfeeding
- may be less embarrassing than breastfeeding when in public
- easier to organize if you are returning to work soon after the birth
- possible even if you are ill/on medication, especially if breastfeeding is contraindicated.

Positive aspects of bottle feeding – for your baby
- may establish routine quicker than with breastfeeding
- less risk of vitamin K deficiency than with breastfeeding