What hormones are involved in breastfeeding?
Did you know that hormones are secreted during breastfeeding and help to both produce and expel breast milk? When the baby starts sucking on the breast, these are released by the mother - but how does it actually work?
The amount of breast milk is adjusted according to the baby's needs, and the baby places the order for the next meal himself. Simply put, breastfeeding increases breast milk production often (especially at night) and conversely, breastfeeding less often reduces production.
The first volume of breast milk that the baby drinks at the time of breastfeeding is more diluted to quench the worst of the thirst, while the later volume is more concentrated and filling. In this way, a breastfed baby can therefore never be breastfed too often. For example, if it is hot outside and the baby becomes thirsty, i.e. wants to breastfeed more often, the composition of the milk will adapt to the need.
What hormones are produced during breastfeeding?
After giving birth, the body makes a hormonal transition from being pregnant to producing breast milk. The hormones prolactin and oxytocin is stimulated in the breastfeeding mother and helps to both produce and expel the milk.
prolactin is the milk-forming hormone and is secreted in pulses from the pituitary gland, a small gland in the brain. Prolactin is secreted most at night.
oxytocin is our calm and reassurance hormone that helps to expel milk. The release of oxytocin is promoted when the individual is calm and secure. Oxytocin is also secreted from the pituitary gland and is the hormone released during massage, for example, that makes us feel calm and comfortable. Oxytocin also helps the uterus to contract, which is why breastfeeding helps to reduce bleeding after childbirth.
