Breast feeding terms explained
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It is useful to familiarize yourself with these terms before reading more about breastfeeding. The terms below are listed in alphabetical order.
areola
The dark area of the breast around the nipple.
breastfeeding bra
Also known as a nursing bra, a breastfeeding bra is a bra that does not need to be removed in order to allow breastfeeding.
breast pads
Breast pads, also called nursing pads, are little pads that fit inside your bra that absorb leaking breast milk and help prevent cracked nipples.
breast pumps
Breast pumps are used to extract milk for storage. Stored milk can then be bottle fed to baby at a later date.
colostrum
This is the first milk your breasts make in the first 3 days or so after the birth. It’s yellow, creamy and rich in nutrients.
engorgement
This is when your breasts get very full and swollen with milk - typically when your milk first comes in around the 3rd day after the birth.
foremilk
The first milk released during every breastfeeding session. This is the more watery, thirst-quenching part of baby’s meal.
hindmilk
This is released as the nursing progresses and is richer and more sustaining.
kangaroo care or skin to skin
Having your baby next to you with naked skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and in the early weeks. This calms your baby, stimulates milk production and enhances your maternal instincts.
latching on
This is the way your baby takes your breast into their mouth.
let down reflex or milk ejection reflex
The process that sets the milk flowing inside your breasts.
let down pains or after pains
Mild to moderate stomach cramps that you may experience in the first few days while feeding, caused by your womb contracting back to its normal size.
mastitis
Inflammation of the breast tissue, resulting from blocked ducts. Mastitis often has flu like symptoms and can be treated with a course of antibiotics.
nipple shields
Nipple shields are used to protect sore or cracked nipples when breastfeeding baby.
relactation
Relactation is the resumption of breastfeeding after a period of not producing milk, often helped through use of a breast pump.
tandem nursing
Tandem nursing is the process of breastfeeding two children at the same time. This may be an older and younger child or twins.