Lactation 101
Often called "liquid gold," this nutrient-dense first milk is produced in the first few days after birth.
What is Colostrum?
While oxytocin releases the milk, this hormone is the primary driver for actually producing it.
What is Prolactin?
This 1981 WHO agreement restricts the marketing of breast milk substitutes to protect breastfeeding.
What is the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes?
This nationwide survey, currently in its 6th iteration (NFHS-6), provides the primary data on breastfeeding rates across Indian states.
What is the National Family Health Survey?
This type of "listening" involves fully concentrating, understanding, and responding to a parent without judgment or interruption.
What is Active Listening?
This pituitary hormone is responsible for the "let-down reflex," causing milk to be ejected from the breast.
What is Oxytocin?
During pregnancy, high levels of this "pregnancy hormone" actually inhibit full milk production until the placenta is delivered.
What is Progesterone?
In Ayurveda, this herbal root, known as the "Queen of Herbs," is a famous galactagogue believed to increase milk supply while balancing hormones.
What is Shatavari?
According to Indian health data, this practice—defined as starting breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth—is still achieved by less than 50% of mothers.
What is Early Initiation?
Instead of asking "Do you have any questions?", which often gets a "No," a counsellor should use these types of questions that start with "How" or "What."
What are Open-Ended Questions?
To ensure a deep "latch," a baby should take in a large mouthful of breast tissue, not just this specific anatomical part.
What is the Nipple?
Prolactin levels are typically highest during this time of day, which is why frequent nursing during these hours helps build supply.
What is Night (or Sleep)?
This is the ethical term for the tension created when a healthcare provider receives funding or free samples from a formula company.
What is a Conflict of Interest?
This 2023 study by the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) found that these "hidden" digital advertisements violate the IMS Act.
What are Social Media Influencer Ads (or Surrogate Marketing)?
In a clinical setting, a provider should ask for this before touching a mother’s breast or the baby, even if the parent has sought help for a latch.
What is Informed Consent (or Verbal Permission)?
These small bumps on the areola secrete oils to lubricate and protect the skin during breastfeeding.
What are Montgomery Glands?
This "stress hormone" can temporarily inhibit the let-down reflex, making it harder for milk to flow even if the supply is there.
What is Cortisol?
In clinical ethics, this 4-letter principle dictates that a provider must respect a parent's right to choose their feeding method without coercion.
What is Autonomy?
In a famous study from the AIIMS NICU, this method of "skin-to-skin" care was shown to significantly increase milk volume in mothers of preterm infants.
What is Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)?
When a parent in India mentions a traditional practice you disagree with, this communication strategy involves acknowledging the cultural intent first before gently offering evidence-based alternatives.
What is Validation (or the "Bridge" Technique)?
This term describes the process where the body switches from endocrine (hormonal) control to autocrine (supply-and-demand) control.
What is Lactogenesis II?
In the "Lactational Amenorrhea Method" (LAM), breastfeeding prevents pregnancy by suppressing the release of this hormone, which triggers ovulation.
What is GnRH (or LH/FSH)?
In many Indian cultures, this pre-lacteal substance (honey or ghee) is traditionally given to newborns, though medical guidelines now advise against it.
What is Janam Ghutti?
This unique Indian initiative, "BV-365," was a large-scale research project focused on the first this many days of a child's life to prevent stunting.
What are the First 1,000 Days?
Instead of saying "You must make the baby latch," a skilled communicator might say, "Let’s see how we can this the baby to find the breast," shifting the focus to the baby's natural instincts.
What is Support (or Encourage/Lead)?