Lactation: Psychology verses Physiology
(Part I)
The mammary gland, when stimulated by milk producing hormones within the body, functions independently of other body organs. If a mature female mammary gland, given an adequate supply of body fluids, were to be continually stimulated by the hormone Prolactin, the gland would produce breast milk indefinitely. The secret of successfully inducing Lactation lies not in special massage or breast pumping techniques, but rather in creating a unique balance in body chemistry.
In relation to lactation, the importance and function of the hormones Prolactin and Oxytocin are well documented; however, an increase in these two hormones alone will not induce lactation. When a woman is successfully lactating and breast feeding, her entire body chemistry is changed. Stimulation of the breast and nipple, either by massage or breast pumping, is not to stimulate the mammary gland, but rather to stimulate the brain, via the nervous system, to change the balance of a woman's body chemistry.
Whether or not the breast is being stimulated, when the balance of a woman's body chemistry is correct, she will lactate: the problem is creating the correct balance in body chemistry.
For lactation to occur, the levels of both Prolactin and Oxytocin must be elevated in the bloodstream; however, elevation of these two hormones does not always result in letdown and lactation. Even though the levels of Prolactin and Oxytocin may be elevated in the bloodstream, if secretion of other body chemicals, such as Dopamine and Estrogen, aren't lowered, lactation will still be inhibited.
While a woman is trying to induce lactation, her breasts may become engorged, (even to the point of being swollen and painful at times) ,yet, she may only be able to express a few drops. However, when a woman's body chemistry reaches a unique balance, spontaneous letdown may occur, causing milk to involuntarily drip from our nipples. The question is as --- "How can a woman tell when her body chemistry has reached the unique balance that will result in lactation"?
While physical or chemical tests may either be impractical or impossible, there are "psychological signposts" that can give clues as to what is happening inside of a woman's body. To learn more about these "psychological signposts"' it may be helpful to study the demeanor of a nursing mother while she is breast feeding her child. While breast feeding in a safe and comfortable environment, a nursing mother has the feeling of being at complete peace with the world around her; this feeling of tranquillity is a direct result of her body chemistry.
In everyone, (whether male or female), personality, mood, demeanor and attitude is a direct result of that person's body chemistry. More specifically, changes in our demeanor, or attitude, is a direct result of changes in our brain chemistry. To debate which occurs first, change in demeanor or change in brain chemistry, is like debating the age old question, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?". In the case of demeanor and brain chemistry, the change is simultaneous; one creates the other.
Study the face of a nursing mother breast feeding her child in a comfortable environment, and you will see an aura of angelic tranquillity eliminating from her. The peacefulness that you see in her face is a psychological signpost that her body chemistry has a balanced. When a woman is inducing lactation, she must also reach this demeanor of angelic tranquillity. The unique balance of body chemistry that results in letdown and lactation, also automatically creates this feeling of peacefulness. This feeling of peacefulness is a psychological signpost.
While it is well understood that brain chemistry affects a person's demeanor. The reverse is also true: a person's mindset can also affect brain chemistry and ultimately, body chemistry. When a woman begins inducing lactation, it is a common mistake for her to try to maintain her normal "non-lactating" personality. When successful lactation occurs her demeanor will change. By trying to avoid normal changes in personality or demeanor, a woman often inhibits lactation with her own mindset. To successfully induce lactation, normal changes in demeanor and mindset must occur.
When milk begins to flow, a woman may feel sad or happy for no apparent reason, at times she may even feel like crying. These mood swings, (or changes), are normal during the early stages of inducing lactation; however, they are also temporary. As her milk supply increases and she becomes more comfortable with breast feeding, her demeanor will stabilize and her personality will settle into a continual state of tranquillity and purpose.
Whether you choose to induce lactation by massage and breast pumping, or by breast feeding a nursing partner, the majority of the stimulation of your breasts does not directly affect your mammary glands. Rather physical stimulation of the breasts stimulate the subconscious thought process in the brain, via the nervous system, to create changes in body chemistry which will result in lactation.
If your subconscious thought process interprets the physical stimulation of your breasts as foreplay, your brain will create changes in your body chemistry that will result in sexual arousal. If your subconscious thought process interprets the stimulation as normal physical contact, your brain will make little or no changes in your body chemistry. However, if your subconscious recognizes the physical stimulation of your breasts as a need to breast feed, your brain will create the necessary body chemistry that will result in lactation.
Whether stimulating by massage and breast pumping, or by breast feeding your partner, don't focus too much on technique, rather focus your thoughts on the experience of lactation and breast feeding. Relax and allow the experience of lactation to engulf you; mentally become a breast feeding woman until no other thoughts exist around you. The subconscious aura of breast feeding that you create within yourself, will go farther to successfully induce lactation than any other part of your technique. Inducing lactation is an experience to be relaxed and enjoyed; it should never be seen as something hard or as a chore.
Lactation isn't something strange or weird, it's just something women do naturally.
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