Are you Breastfeeding? Here are some Facts you didn't know
 
Once you have given birth, the feeling of motherhood washes over you like a tidal wave. The experience is indescribable. Once your little one is born, you become his provider and protector.
 
When you are a new mother, you start experiencing new things. Breastfeeding is one of them. The process of breastfeeding is an essential way to make sure that your little one is healthy. It is a rewarding experience, but it can also be a little frustrating as well. Here are some facts you should know about breastfeeding.

• Breast milk does not have to be white: Human breast milk is commonly cream-colored or white, but sometimes, it can exhibit shades of orange, yellow, blue, or green. There are also days when the consistency of your breast milk could be more watery than usual. These occurrences are normal and nothing for you to be worried about.
• One breast will always produce more milk than the other: It is normal for your breasts to be of different sizes just like your hands and feet. So do not be worried if one breast outperforms the other. You will produce enough milk for your little one. It will help you if you begin the next feeding on the same side that you stopped at the last time.
• Breast milk comes from pores and not just your nipples: There are around 25 ducts in each of your breasts. They produce milk which is secreted through several pores and not just through your nipple.
• Prepare for engorged breasts: When you begin breastfeeding, you should be ready for your breasts to become engorged and larger than ever before. This is because of the volume of milk being produced. Your skin’s elasticity plays a factor in how large your breasts can get. As your baby grows and you reduce feeding, they will stop being engorged. When you finally stop, your breasts may go back to their previous size or can be end up bigger than before.
• You could be producing too much milk: Some women experience strong ejection of milk, causing it to be excreted too quickly and spraying everywhere. If you experience this, you have to be careful because this can cause your baby to choke due to the intensity of the flow.
• Brace yourself for leaks: Lactating mothers are known to suffer from leaks when they hear their babies crying or when it is feeding time. Do not forget to keep a stock of fresh breast pads.
• Sex can be less than pleasant: During and after pregnancy, the decrease in estrogen in your body can lead to vaginal dryness, making sex rather painful. A lubricant is your savior.
• Prepare for an emotional roller coaster: Oxytocin is a feel-good hormone that causes muscle contractions in your milk ducts. This hormone helps you feel relaxed and peaceful. But due to the crazy shift in hormones, you could also experience weakness, sweating, anxiety, and nausea.
• You might miss you periods: When you are breastfeeding, there are chances that your periods might skip. Some women do not get their period until they have completely weaned their children off breast milk.

 
Consult lactation experts or your OB-GYN for the right tips and tricks to make breastfeeding a pleasant experience for both you and your baby. You could also use breast pumps that are covered by insurance to help you with the process.
 

Article Reviewed By Crystal Ibetoh MD, MBA reviews each article and ensures the accuracy of the health information. Dr. Ibetoh has strong medical interests in women's health and preventative medicine. She is also a mother of three and uses her medical expertise in addition to personal experience to provide advice about breastfeeding.

*The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding breastfeeding.*