How is breast milk made?

The breast is an organ that is made up of alveoli cells which are grape-like clusters of tissues, areola which is the dark area around the nipple, lobes which contain alveoli cells and milk ducts, which in turn are the tubes which carry milk through the breast to the nipple which again is the protruding part of the breast.

Generally, the breasts become fuller and tender during pregnancy though some women undergo these changes once their baby is born. The baby’s suckling of the breast gives rise to prolactin and oxytocin which are hormones which help in making milk and cause small muscle in the breast to contract so that the milk is easily carried through the milk ducts. This is called the “let-down reflex”. The release of these two hormones makes the mother and baby’s bond closer.

The baby’s suckling of the breast brings about “let-down” or the milk ejection reflex. The nerves in the breast signal the release of the milk into the milk ducts. Anxiety, pain, embarrassment, stress, cold, excessive caffeine use, smoking, alcohol and some medicines may adversely affect the let-down.

Nerve damage due to breast surgery also sometimes interferes with let-down. Let-down may happen suddenly at some times without suckling and is nothing to worry about. It is a natural phenomenon and most of the time it happens without any complications.

written by Avni Kaul – Nutritionist and Wellness Coach