Lactation and breastfeeding have many physical and emotional benefits for new mothers and babies, which is why many women choose to breastfeed or pump through their child’s first year of life.
Below, we offer lactation tips and answers to basic questions new mothers have about breastfeeding, pumping, breastmilk storage, and breastmilk donation, including:
The fourth trimester refers to the first three months after birth. It is a time when there’s a lot of transition in both the mother’s personal life and of course, a newborn being in the world. what it means to a woman who has recently given birth in that period of time, what happens to her body and her postpartum recovery.
According to The Cleveland Clinic, lactation is the process of making human milk. Human milk is secreted through your mammary glands, which are located in your breasts. Lactation is hormonally driven and occurs naturally in people who are pregnant. It can also be induced in those who are not pregnant. Lactation will continue as long as milk is being removed from your breasts. The CDC has compiled breastfeeding and lactation information all in one convenient place for you to learn more.
There is a difference between lactation and breastfeeding. Lactation is the process of making breastmilk. Breastfeeding, or nursing, is the act of feeding a child directly from the breast, or chest feeding. The infant will latch on the breast and suckle to feed directly from the breast. When it comes to breastfeeding and surrogacy, surrogate mothers will not usually breastfeed. Instead, they will experience lactation and by shipping breastmilk, supply the intended family and their surrogate baby milk.
Learn more about nursing basics from Webmd and these breastfeeding tips from FamilyDoctor.org.
Breast milk is often called liquid gold because of its high nutritional and immunity benefits. The World Health Organization (WHO) says breast milk is the ideal food for infants. Breast milk protects babies from diarrhea, asthma, ear infections, pneumonia and more. Not only does breast milk contain important antibodies that protect against many childhood illnesses, it also provides all the energy and nutrients a child needs for the first few months of life. The Cleveland Clinic shares even more benefits of breast milk.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), strongly recommend breastfeeding exclusively (no formula, juice, or water) for 6 months. After the introduction of other foods, it recommends continuing to breastfeed through the baby’s first year of life. As an infant grows, breast milk changes to meet the infant’s nutritional needs. Learn more about breast milk and nutrition at different stages.
Lactation is an important part of postpartum for both the woman and the baby. Not only can breastmilk can help the infant, it also has benefits to the woman including having a lower risk for the following:
During pumping or breastfeeding, your body releases a hormone called oxytocin, which helps your uterus contract and return to its pre-pregnant size more quickly, as well as helping to reduce postpartum bleeding.
You can feed a child breast milk without breastfeeding through pumping. Many women, including surrogates, choose to pump. Lactation expert Lenna Gregory of Mothers' Milk Bank Denver shares her expert tutorial on how to pump, ship and donate breast milk.
And if you pump on the go, consider using Milk Stork, which is the world’s only breast milk travel solution. It was inspired by all the breastfeeding super moms who work and travel. Milk Stork helps ship efficiently so moms can provide their babies with the best possible nutrition.
MAMMaway Freeze It Flat offers a great solution for breastmilk storage. Created by a working mom, it holds up to four bags of breast milk at a time, saving 30% more space in your freezer and allowing moms to feed their children even while they are away.
You can also use Milkify to freeze dry your breast milk and turn it into a powder. It is a game changer for shipping and storage, increasing breast milk shelf life to three years.
There are many ways to increase milk production, which include:
You can also find some helpful resources and supplements to help increase your supply. One of the products we love is Cookies Then Milk. They create lactation cookies and other mixes specially designed to enhance breast milk production in lactating women. Each mix contains a blend of 3 key ingredients proven to support lactation: Whole Oats, Flaxseed and Brewer's Yeast. When combined with your favorite cookie dough ingredients you have a delicious, nutritious, milk-enhancing cookie!
Dr. Nice's Moisturizing Gel was developed exclusively for breastfeeding by a renowned pharmacist and expert in breastfeeding and lactation pharmacology. Dr. Nice's Moisturizing Gel's patented, vegan, all-natural, lanolin-free formula instantly soothes and cools sore, cracked, chapped, and chafed nipples.
The best way to stop lactation is to slow down your feeding or pumping schedule to gradually slow your breast milk production. There are many resources available to help you suppress lactation. Check out WebMD’s How to Dry Up Your Milk Supply.
It takes a village, and there’s lots of help for you as you embark on breastfeeding or pumping. Don’t be discouraged if you are finding lactation, breastfeeding, or pumping challenging, there is help:
Before you stop lactation, consider donating breast milk to a local milk bank.
With the continuation of infant formula shortage, milk banks across the country are needed more than ever. Listen to our Podcast with HMBANA Executive Director Lindsay Groff talk about the Infant Formula Shortage and the importance of breastmilk donations.
Then learn more about how to donate your breast milk from lactation expert Lenna Gregory and find a milk bank near you.
After you stop lactation, you may be wondering what’s next in motherhood. Not only do you have the joy of raising your child, but as someone who has already experienced a healthy pregnancy and childbirth, you actually make a great candidate for surrogacy and the many benefits that come with
Learn more about surrogacy for lactating mothers.