A 24-hour Factory
The breast's signal to make more milk is the removal of milk. The more milk that is removed, the more milk the breast will make to replace it. And unlike a bottle, there is no such thing as an "empty" breast. The factory is always working to make milk – even during a feeding. Not only does this system ensure that Baby gets milk when he wants it, but it is also the basis for changing the amount of milk Mom makes. As her newborn grows, he'll need more milk at a feeding. He increases his nursing, and Mom makes more milk. If Mom is nursing more than one baby at a time, those babies will remove twice as much milk, so Mom makes twice as much! (See Breastfeeding Twins.)

As Baby grows and begins to eat solid food, the amount of breast milk he needs will decrease. He'll take less milk, and the breast responds by making less. Gradual baby-led weaning takes full advantage of this system. Interestingly, as the amount of milk a baby takes decreases, the amount of disease protection becomes more concentrated. So a toddler nursing just a few times a day will get plenty of protection.

A Remarkable System
The breast is truly a remarkable organ that does its job well. It works in concert with the nursing baby, with each providing continual mutual feedback. And the best feedback a new mom can get is the satisfied smile of her baby after a good meal at her breast!

So THAT's Why . . .
Understanding how the breast works helps explain what you may have heard about breastfeeding:

• There's no such thing as an empty breast. The breast is constantly making milk, so there's no need to postpone feedings to let the breast "fill up" again. In fact, waiting may actually signal the breast to decrease milk production instead of increase it.

• Baby needs to get a mouthful of breast, not just the nipple. By encouraging baby to open wide and get at least an inch of the areola in his mouth, he'll be compressing the breast behind those sinuses where the milk is pooling. If he just latches onto the nipple, it is like clamping down on straws – little milk will flow, and it will hurt!

• Breast size doesn't matter. Most women can make plenty of milk for their babies. It's the amount of fat that varies from large breast to small.

• There's no need to use soap on the nipples or scrub them (ouch!) before feeding. The Montgomery gland oil will take care of keeping the nipples clean and the skin soft and lubricated.

• Breast surgery can seriously affect milk production. Some breast surgeries involve cutting around the areola and nipple area, severing milk ducts as well as nerves that tell the brain to release hormones that keep the system working.

• Baby knows best! Babies know how much milk they need and when they need it. If babies nurse as they need to, the breast responds by making just the right amount of milk. Timing feedings and strict schedules send false signals to the breast to reduce the amount of milk it makes.

• Breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt! Nerves around the nipple will alert Mom if Baby is poorly latched on. Pain is a warning signal, not something to expect and endure. Breastfeeding would never have lasted throughout history if it was meant to hurt!

Want to see more?

• Colostrum: Discovering Gold
• Breastfeeding: Starting Out Right
• First Nursings
• Talk about it!