Are we getting the best from breastfeeding?

Abstract

Regular short feeds from both breasts encourage a plentiful milk supply and successful breastfeeding: these are best reflected by a modified traditional breastfeeding method.

Feeding the normal newborn: whose art is it?

“…This results in downregulation of both oxytocin and prolactin receptors, due to continuous oxytocin incretion and suboptimal removal of the local inhibitory factor, so affecting both milk flow and production. As in other mammals, short feeds are essential in humans for maintaining effective milk ejection through the let‐down reflex, elicited by mechanical stimulation of nerve receptors of the nipple or by psychoemotional impulses, with pulsatile oxytocin incretion and intermittent receptor effect . As regard to the interval between feeds, it is accepted that an interfeed gap interval of almost 3 h is necessary for breasts refilling, driven by prolactin reflex .…”

“…Moreover, short feeds (<10 min per breast) are known to be largely effective in empting breasts, as elegantly demonstrated about 30 years ago . Single breast feeds allowed in the baby‐led method are not consistent with the concept of ‘growing best with the second breast’, because of the higher fat content of foremilk of the second breast .…”