I’ve said it more than once in this blog; the time to learn about breastfeeding is when you are still pregnant. Trying to read through the breastfeeding books when you are exhausted and dealing with a newborn will leave you in tears. Spend some time during your pregnancy taking breastfeeding class, reading books and visiting a La Leche League meeting.
When you spend time preparing in advance, you will feel more confident. If an issue does arise, you will probably remember reading about it and will be more likely to feel confident handling the situation. This blog contains some of the commonly used terms in most breastfeeding books and other literature.
Alveoli are the glands in the breasts where milk is produced.
Areola is the darker area around the nipple.
Breastfeeding is the term used for feeding an infant from the breast. The term “nursing” is also used.
Breast milk is milk that is made in the human mammary gland or breast. This milk contains the perfect balance of nutrients for the baby’s growth and brain development. Breast milk contains antibodies to help protect the baby from a variety of viruses and bacteria. This is important for the baby’s immune system, which is not fully developed.
Breast Pump is a device used to express milk from the breast to feed the baby when mom is not home. Manual and electric breast pumps are available for working mothers or just the occasional supplemental bottle.
Breast Shield is a round plastic cup that is used for inverted nipples. The shield helps flat nipples protrude to help the baby latch onto the breast properly.
Colostrum is a thick clear or yellowish fluid that is produced by the breasts in late pregnancy and during the first days after the baby is born. This substance is rich in antibodies to protect the baby just after birth. The colostrum will be replaced by milk in a few days.
Donor Breastmilk is milk that is donated by lactating women to a milk bank. This milk can be used by mother’s with low supply to supplement the baby’s feedings without using formula. Milk banks are becoming more prevalent in this country.
Engorgement is the swelling of the breasts as the milk comes in. This is typically felt in the early days as your milk is coming in and later when baby sleeps through a feeding. Your body will quickly regulate milk production to your baby’s needs and you will feel engorged less frequently.
Exclusive Breastfeeding is when the baby receives all his nutrition from his mother’s breast.
Expressed milk is breast milk that has been expressed either manually or with a breast pump.
Foremilk is the milk that is available at the beginning of a feeding. This milk is thinner and contains less fat.
Growth Spurt is a period of rapid growth. The baby will generally want to nurse more often during the day and at night. Growth spurts happen around three weeks, six weeks, three months and six months. This time period is only a guide. Your baby may go through them at a slightly different pace.
Hind milk is the milk that follows the foremilk during breastfeeding. This milk is thicker and rich in fats and other essential nutrients. It’s important for the baby to latch on and breastfeed long enough on each side to get the benefit of the thicker hind milk.
Induced Lactation is a method of stimulating the production of breast milk in a woman who has not been pregnant. This is most often done for adopted babies.
La Leche League is an international breastfeeding organization that was started by seven nursing mothers. The purpose of the organization is to help breastfeeding mothers and babies.
Lactation Consultant is a professional, usually a nurse, with training and experience in helping mothers learn to breastfeed and overcome difficulties in nursing their babies.
Lactose is the sugar found in milk.
Latch is when the infant takes the nipple and areola into the mouth for breastfeeding. Most nursing difficulties can be explained by poor latch and can be corrected by helping the baby latch on to the breast properly.
Let Down occurs when hormones from the hypothalamus stimulate the pituitary gland to produce milk and release the milk to the nipple, where it is available for the baby. Let down has a tingling feeling and may happen when baby starts to suckle or before a feeding.
Low Supply occurs when the mother’s breasts are not making enough milk to meet the baby’s needs. There are a variety of reasons for low supply, most of which can be corrected.
Mammary Gland is a breast gland. These secrete milk for the baby.
Mastitis is an inflammation or infection of the breast. This condition often begins as a plugged duct.
Nipple Confusion is the term for confusion and difficulty with latch that is the result of switching between breast and bottle feeding. Each of these uses different muscles and requires a completely different latch. Confusion is most common in the first month. For this reason, most experts suggest waiting a minimum of four weeks before giving supplemental bottles or pacifiers.
Prolactin is the hormone that is responsible for milk production. This hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland.
Relactation is a process that allows a woman who has not breastfed in the early weeks to begin to lactate.
Rooting Reflex is one of the reflexes human infants are born with. When the baby’s cheek is touched, he will turn his head to that side and root for the breast.
Supplemental Nutrition System (SNS) is a device that is used to feed the baby supplemental breast milk or formula. The device has a bag filled with milk. Very small tubes run from this bag to mom’s breast. The baby nurses and gets supplemental milk along with breast milk. This is often used for low supply and some latch issues.
Tandem Nursing is breastfeeding more than one child at a time. This can be twins or siblings of two different ages.
Thrush is a fungal infection, also known as candida, which can occur in the baby’s mouth or on the mother’s breast. White patches will be seen in the baby’s mouth or the nipples.
Related Articles:
Finding Support for Breastfeeding
Get Breastfeeding Off to a Good Start
Beware of the Breastfeeding Support Bag