Yes! We all have heard that breast is best!
This is not be a ππππππ ladies. Breast is best, not just for your little one but for YOU too!
You’ve just gone through how many hours of labor? How many months of carrying a full human inside?
Not only have you gracefully submitted yourself to the changes of your body in developing this beautiful baby, now that the time has come and the baby is here, let’s not just care for baby, but care for you too.
β₯
First, let’s gain some insight on oxytocin. Oxytocin is a natural hormone that can be made synthetically and given exogenous. Yet, it is within us naturally and can be produced endogenously from our posterior pituitary gland. Maternally you release it as well as the fetus during labor. The fetus releases up to 3 milliunits per minute of oxytocin while the mother releases up to 2 to 4 milliunits per minute, during labor.Β Now that we are aware of the this hormone, let’s dive in on how your baby sends signals for it to be increasingly released.
1.
π»ππ πΊπππ π©πππ πππ π°πππππππππ
It takes up to 2 weeks for the uterus to go back to its pre- pregnancy size. Every time your baby latches onto your breast and sucks the colostrum from your breast, your body is triggered to release oxytocin naturally from your brain. As this occurs, oxytocin travels to the uterine muscles and contracts it. The key to this is contracting the uterus to bring it back to its pre-pregnancy size, “involution” decreasing the size of the uterus.
Breastfeeding helps with the snap back of pre-pregnancy size of the uterus.
2.
πͺπππππ π·πππππππππ π―πππππππππ
Postpartum hemorrhage is a high concern for mothers as it is the leading cause of maternal mortality.
Good News!
Β Breastfeeding helps with postpartum bleeding. When breastfeeding, your nipples are stimulated to release your natural hormone. Oxytocin receptors in your uterus actively squeeze the vessels within the uterus to decrease the bleeding that is occurring. Uterine contraction may feel like after-pains while nursing, more so for multiparous moms.
Yes ladies! That natural hormone your baby is triggering your body to release, helps prevent what is known as postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony.Β
β₯ π»π―π¬ π΄π¬π«π°πͺπ°π΅π¬ πΆπ π¨π³π³ π΄π¬π«π°πͺπ°π΅π¬πΊ π°πΊ πΎπ°π»π―π°π΅ ππΆπΌ β₯
3.
π΄πππππ & π¬ππππππππ πΊππππ
Postpartum depression is real, and with the demands of the day; rather that be work, education, bills or family all of it can be exhausting and stressful.
Correlate the filling of your breast with milk, the tightness and engorgement of them, if present, in conjunction with the build up of stress in your body.
What a time to release all of it!
I encourage you personally, to create a space in the home for you and baby to bond while breastfeeding.
Make it more delightful by playing some calm soft music, or earth sounds.
Let it be a moment not of duty but of privilege.
Just as we cuddle with a significant other or kiss, the same love hormones are being exchange during breastfeeding.
The love hormone decreases cortisol, “stress” levels and enhances maternal and infant bonding by way of oxytocin release.
Recap On The Benefits
As you breastfeed,Β this process will assure uterine involution and decreased blood loss in the postpartum period. Women who breastfeed have a lower chance ofΒ experiencing postpartum depression.
Yet, the juice of all juices to this knowledge, is that it enhances maternal and infant bonding by way of oxytocin release. Now tell me that isn’t better than some tea?
β₯
Go release that liquid gold hunny!
This was scary for me all those years ago. When it was finally explained to me, I understood it was a great gift to my little. And I truly appreciated all the nurses’ help. Thirty three years later– she’s still latched on there, jk. We have a special bond and I take great comfort in the fact that I gave her the best start I could– especially in times like these.
Yes! Especially in times like this! Breast milk is the greatest antibody that any mom can give for a great start in health & immune system. I am so happy to know that you breastfed your daughter. I have found myself trying to educate a lot of the A.A community on the benefits of breastfeeding for I have cared for many that have chosen to formula feed rather than breast post delivery.