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Reviewed for scientific accuracy by: Dr. Mona Bungum
Last reviewed: May 2026
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takes 3 minutes to complete00:00:01 Your body produces milk to nourish your baby. It begins during pregnancy as your hormones prolactin and oxytocin prepare your body to produce and release milk. So once your baby is born, your body operates on a supply and demand system. The more your baby nurses, the more milk your body will produce. That's why early and frequent breastfeeding is super important to establish a healthy milk supply. Whether you're a first time mom or you're looking to improve
00:00:33 your breastfeeding experience, this video is going to guide you through the basics of breastfeeding. We'll cover how lactation works, how to initiate breastfeeding, and the incredible benefits of breastfeeding for you and your baby. So let's get started. There are two major hormones involved when it comes to breast milk production, and that is prolactin, which stimulates milk production, and oxytocin, which triggers the milk letdown. and oxytocin, which triggers the milk letdown.
00:01:02 So your brain basically signals your body and your breast to produce milk. When prolactin levels are high and prolactin levels are increased through suckling and stimulation of the breasts. Colostrum is going to be that first milk that your body starts to produce, and you produce this during pregnancy. It is a nutrient packed first milk produced in the first few days after birth. Every mom produces colostrum. It might just look a little birth. Every mom produces colostrum. It might just look a little
00:01:31 different depending on where you're at in your journey. Usually it's this thick, yellowish substance often referred to as liquid gold. Your milk composition is going to soon transition into more mature milk around 3 to 5 days postpartum. A lot of new moms want to know when their milk is going to come in, and this is typically the standard. However, you must be removing milk frequently from the breast in order for milk production to milk frequently from the breast in order for milk production to
00:02:01 work the way it needs to. when you're first getting started with breastfeeding. Skin to skin contact is key. You want to hold your baby close to you immediately after birth, if you can, to encourage their natural feeding instincts. Babies are born with the reflex to root and latch onto the breast. It may not come easy to every mom, especially in the beginning, but with lots of patience, lots of practice, you'll both get the hang of it. lots of patience, lots of practice, you'll both get the hang of it.
00:02:31 Don't stress yourself out if you feel like your baby isn't getting enough. Remember, they're new to this and so were you. It's going to work itself out. You just keep practicing and get support if you need it. Positioning is also very crucial when it comes to breastfeeding. You'll want to find a comfortable position for you and the baby, because there's a good chance that you might be in that position for 30 to 45 minutes. You can try the cradle hold the football hold,
00:02:58 You can try the cradle hold the football hold, or side lying position. Make sure your baby's latch is deep and it's covering most of your areola, not just the nipple, because that's what's going to cause pain and cracked nipples. And it's also not giving your baby an effective latch. Milk removal is best when the most of your areola is inside the baby's mouth, and the nipple is pointing up at the roof of their mouth. You might also want to surround yourself with lots of pillows to
00:03:33 prop your arm up, and maybe rest your baby's head on, because again, you may be in that position for a long period of time and you'll want to be comfortable. As I mentioned earlier, you want to start breastfeeding within that first hour after birth, if you can. And more signs of a good latch to look out for is your baby's lips are flanged out. You're not experiencing extreme pain. lips are flanged out. You're not experiencing extreme pain. A little bit of pain in the beginning is normal because as
00:04:04 your baby is suckling. It's going to release oxytocin, which is going to trigger your body to have light contractions. So it might feel like those early labor contractions that you had in the very beginning, that is your uterus contracting back to its pre-pregnancy size. So that's a good thing. However, it can be a little uncomfortable, especially for first time moms. Another sign of a good latch is especially for first time moms. Another sign of a good latch is
00:04:33 your baby has rhythmic suckling and swallowing, and you can kind of see their jaws moving and you can hear the swallowing sounds. Address any challenges that may come up like a shallow latch really early to avoid soreness and ensure that you are getting effective feedings. Breastfeeding has countless benefits for both you and your baby. For your baby. It provides perfectly balanced For your baby. It provides perfectly balanced nutrition. It strengthens their immune
00:05:04 system and it can lower their risk of infections, allergies, and chronic illnesses for mom, breastfeeding supports the postpartum recovery by helping your uterus contract and reduce bleeding. It can also lower your risk of breast and ovarian cancers and strengthens the bond between you and your baby. It's no secret that breastfeeding has numerous nutritional benefits, and these benefits are tailored has numerous nutritional benefits, and these benefits are tailored to your baby's needs, so your breast milk actually adapts
00:05:37 and adjusts the according to your baby's age and their development. It has lots of immunological protection. Antibodies are passed through your breast milk to your baby, so that's really cool. Even if you're sick, you don't have to stop breastfeeding. Those antibodies are going to help protect your baby from being sick as well. help protect your baby from being sick as well. Breastfeeding can create a really strong emotional bond
00:06:05 through oxytocin release. And of course it has lots of environmental and can be very cost saving for moms who are breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a journey and every mom and baby is different, so be patient with yourself. Don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Reached out to experts and specialists. Try to find a support group and the course. Try to find a support group and the course.
00:06:31 There's apps like Concilio that are here to provide you with the tools and guidance that you need to succeed. Remember, whether you breastfeed for a few days or several years, every drop counts. So celebrate your progress and trust in your ability to nourish your baby. Thank you for joining me today for this introduction to Breastfeeding Basics. I hope you feel more informed and empowered to start your breastfeeding journey. Stay tuned for more videos! In this series,
00:06:59 we'll dive deeper into topics like common challenges, pumping and we'll dive deeper into topics like common challenges, pumping and how to increase your milk supply.
