Breast feeding is the act of feeding an infant or a young child with breast milk directly from the female human breasts (Lauralee, 2013).
The female reproductive system supports the new being from the moment of conception through gestation and continues to nourish it during its early life outside the supportive uterine environment. During gestation, under the influence of the hormonal environment present, the mammary glands develop the internal glandular structure and function necessary for milk production (lactation) to ensure the survival of the newborn (Lauralee, 2013).
The breasts in non pregnant females consist mostly of adipose tissue and a rudimentary duct system. During pregnancy the breasts enlarge progressively under the influence of high levels of maternal hormones, estrogen and progesterone. It is believed that estrogen promotes growth of the ducts and the collecting system, and the progesterone stimulates the growth of alveolar buds. Other hormones such as prolactin, growth hormone, adrenocorticosteroids and the thyroid hormone are also necessary for the optimal development of the secretory apparatus of the mammary gland. The breasts become tender with a more prominent venous pattern. Also, profound changes such as enlargement and darkening of the areola are further seen as pregnancy progresses (Audrey and Ruth, 2013).
The elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy prevent prolactin from stimulating milk secretion. However, at parturition, the placenta is removed and the estrogen and progesterone levels fall drastically whilst the prolactin levels continues to rise, signaling milk production (Audrey and Ruth, 2013).
There is great variation in the size, contour, density and ductal anatomy of the breast. The variety in size is due to the different volumes of adipose tissue between the lobes rather than the epithelial components (Pandya and Moore, 2011).
During breastfeeding, Prolactin and oxytocin, the hormones responsible for milk production and ejection respectively are released from the pituitary gland upon stimulation by the baby’s suckling. Oxytocin acts through the milk ejection reflex described by most mothers as a tingling sensation (Leung and Sauve, 2005; Ramsay et al., 2004; Moulden, 1994).
Human milk is a complex secretion that is the sole ideal food for babies for at least the first six months of life (Kent, 2007). Scientific literatures identify breast milk as providing protection from many diseases including otitis media, respiratory illnesses, gastroenteritis, some allergy (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012).
Some of the problems associated with breastfeeding include engorgement, low supply or oversupply of milk, amongst others.