Definitions of common breastfeeding terms

Definitions of breastfeeding terms

A glossary of common breastfeeding terms and their definitions

Adoptive breastfeeding	Inducing lactation in order to breastfeed an adopted child.
	See also Induced lactation. Find more info at The Adoptive Breastfeeding Resource Website and Adoptive Breastfeeding at Kellymom.com

Alveoli (sing. alveolus)	Glands within the breast that make milk.
	Alveoli look like tiny sacs, arranged like a bunch of grapes. See also HOW WOMENS BREASTS LOOK ON THE INSIDE and How does milk production work?

BF	Breastfeeding; breast-fed


Child-led weaning	Letting the child decide when and how to wean from breast milk.
	Children who are allowed to nurse as long as they wish, typically wean between 2 and 5 years of age. By comparing humans with other mammals, the researcher Katherine Dettwyler has estimated that the natural (not forced) age of weaning for humans would be between 2.5 and 7 years, depending on the method of comparison. See also Natural Weaning by Norma Jane Bumgarner and Nursing Toddlers - advice from Jack Newman.

Colostrum	Special milk produced by the breasts during last part of pregnancy and a for a few days after giving birth.
	Colostrum is extremely high in antibodies and leukocytes which protect the baby's body from bacteria and viruses. Colostrum is only produced in small amounts, but it is concentrated nutrition and easily digested, so it is enough for the newborn. This "pre-milk" is present in the breasts for several months during pregnancy, so it is available for a preterm baby too. Colostrum seals the newborn's gastrointestinal tract with a barrier that mostly prevents foreign substances from penetrating and possibly sensitizing a baby to foods the mother has eaten. See more info on colostrum from La Leche League

Discreet nursing	Trying to breastfeed so that other people do not notice and/or trying to minimize the amount of bare breast and nipple shown while breastfeeding.
	In the USA, France, and some other countries, many people associate a bare breast and even the act of breastfeeding itself with sexual things. In reality there is nothing dirty or indecent about breastfeeding. Unfortunately some people don't understand that, and so seeing breastfeeding may make them feel uncomfortable. In many other countries around the world discreet nursing is not an issue since nursing in public is so common that no one thinks anything about it.

Engorgement	Situation where breasts are so full of milk that it is uncomfortable/painful for the mother.
	This often happens when the mature milk first comes in few days after giving birth (following the colostrum period). It can also happen if the child suddenly nurses less than what it has been doing (which could be for various reasons), so that the breasts are producing too much milk for the lessened demand. Engorgement goes away when the extra milk is drained from the breasts.

Exclusive breastfeeding	Feeding the baby nothing but breast milk - no infant formula, not even water.
	The definition of exclusive breastfeeding does allow vitamins and drops of medicine. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life has been found in various scientific studies to be very important for the baby's health and is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. 'Exclusive breastfeeding' does NOT refer to the situation where the baby gets breast milk and solid foods but no formula.

Extended breastfeeding	Breastfeeding beyond one year of age (in the US).
	What is considered 'extended' can vary between cultures. In the US, breastfeeding after the child is one year is considered 'extended', but in many other cultures and during history, it has been the norm to nurse children till toddlerhood and beyond. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends breastfeeding for two first years of child's life.

Foremilk	Breast milk that is lower in fat available in the beginning of feeding. Compare to hindmilk.
	Breasts don't produce two different kinds of milk. Instead the cells within breasts (alveoli) produce milk all the time and it is all the same. Between feedings, the milk stays within the breast (in the ducts), and the fat globules in milk tend to stick to the walls of the alveoli and to each other. When more and more milk is being produced, it moves towards the nipple, leaving more fat near the back of the breast. So with the next feeding, the baby will first receive the milk now low-fat (foremilk) and later milk with extra fat (hindmilk). If or when the baby nurses very often, this does not happen. Usually moms don't have to be concerned about this distinction but can simply feed their baby on demand in the early months of the baby's life. See more info I'm confused about foremilk and hindmilk - how does this work?.

Hindmilk	Breast milk that is higher in fat available at the end of the feeding. Compare to foremilk.
	Breasts don't produce two different kinds of milk. Instead the cells within breasts (alveoli) produce milk all the time and it is all the same. Between feedings, the milk stays within the breast (in the ducts), and the fat globules in milk tend to stick to the walls of the alveoli and to each other. When more and more milk is being produced, it moves towards the nipple, leaving more fat near the back of the breast. So with the next feeding, the baby will first receive the milk now low-fat (foremilk) and later milk with extra fat (hindmilk). If or when the baby nurses very often, this does not happen. Usually moms don't have to be concerned about this distinction but can simply feed their baby on demand in the early months of the baby's life. See more info I'm confused about foremilk and hindmilk - how does this work?.

IBCLC	International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
	International Board Certified Lactation Consultants provide assistance in all breastfeeding problems, including the most challenging ones. An IBCLC is an international qualification, that ensures a consistent standard throughout the world. To become an IBCLC, the person has to pass an exam set forth by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (website www.iblce.org). You can find a lactation consultant online at the International Lactation Consultant Association website.

Induced lactation	Initiation of breast milk production in a person who has not breastfed before. See also relactation.
	Lactation can be induced even in women who have not been pregnant, and is most helpful when a woman is adopting a baby or wants to nurse her own baby born via surrogacy. With induced lactation, the breast milk production may not be enough for all the baby's needs but there is value in any amount of human milk and in the closeness and skin-to-skin contact at the breast. The usual measures include nipple stimulation (by the baby/massage), breast pumps, herbs or medications, and hormonal therapy. Even men can produce breast milk, and this has happened many times in history in situations where the mother has died. See also The protocols for induced lactation by Lenore Goldfarb and Jack Newman and Induced Lactation. Breastfeeding Your Adopted Child By Barbara Wilson-Clay.

Latch	The way baby's mouths is holding the nipple/areola complex during suckling.
	In good latch, baby takes in its mouth not only the nipple, but a good part of the areola. Baby's lower jaw should be far from the nipple since it's the lower jaw that milks the milk out of the breast. Incorrect latch is the main reason mothers get sore nipples, so it's good to get someone to show a new mom the proper latch. See also When latching - Jack Newman's handout and Latching and positioning resources.

Let-down (reflex)	Reflex that causes the milk to flow within the ducts inside the breast.
	This reflex happens as baby's suckling stimulates the pituitary to release the hormone oxytocin, which then causes the muscles surrounding the milk glands contract and squeeze the milk out to the ducts. Let-down can happen when the mother only thinks about her baby. Some moms can tell when let-down happens as a tingling sensation within the breast, and some can't. But if the baby is getting the milk, then let-down did take place. A very strong let-down can cause the milk squirt out of the breast (leaking). Let-down can be forceful/overactive or too slow.

LLL	La Leche League - organization with the sole purpose of helping breastfeeding mothers.
	La Leche League leaders hold groups for breastfeeding moms in all parts of the USA and in many parts of the world. The organization is internationally recognized of its expertise in breastfeeding matters. The mission of La Leche League International is: to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother. See also What is La Leche League International?

Low milk supply	Situation where the mother does not produce enough milk to meet the needs of her baby.
	Low milk supply is determined by the baby not gaining well on breast milk alone - not by how often the baby feeds. There are many reasons for low milk supply, many of which can be corrected. One can increase milk supply by stimulating the breasts/nipples with more frequent nursing, with pumping, or with "super-switching", where the mom switches the baby between breasts several times during feeding. Galactagogues can also be used. See more information at Increasing Low Milk Supply at Kellymom.com.

Mastitis	Inflammation of the breast that can be caused by obstruction, infection and/or allergy.
	Symptoms of mastitis are a hard lump or area of engorgement in the breast that can feel tender, hot, swollen or look reddened. The mother also has fever, chills, and general aching. mastitis often requires antibiotics or it can lead to breast abscess. It is very important to continue breastfeeding as draining the ducts of milk is crucial. Mastitis can start from a blocked duct where the milk flow has been obstructed.

Nursing bra	A bra you don't need to take off to let the baby feed from your breast.
	Nursing bras typically either have flaps on the cups or can be pulled to one side so you can bare a breast without taking the bra off. Nursing bras are popular and considered essential for nursing moms; however there is no medical reason to wear one. If you wear bras, make sure they are fitted right, not tight, and try to give your breasts some free time from bras each day and night.

Nursing pads	Little round pads that absorb any leaking breast milk and that fit inside bra. Also called breast pads.
	Make sure your nipples won't stay wet if using nursing pads as that can lead to cracked nipples. Breasts like free time without bras, and nipples like 'air-drying', so at home you can try wear simple T-shirts and not worry about the leaking showing on the shirt. Similarly, one can try sleep on an extra towel during the night. The leaking typically stops altogether after 4-6 months.

Nursing sling	A sling that is placed around the mother's neck. Enables the mom to do chores while still carrying and nursing the baby.
	Sling is ideal since it lets baby enjoy close contact with mom while mom can move around and do chores. Different types of slings or wraps have historically been used in many cultures. It has been proven that babies who are carried a lot cry less, are happier, and easier to take care of. For breastfeeding, the mom may need to support the baby with one hand.

Oxytocin	A hormone produced by the pituitary gland which makes the milk flow within the breasts (let-down reflex).
	Oxytocin makes the muscle cells around the alveoli contract to squeeze out the milk. Pituitary gland makes oxytocin when the nipple is stimulated. Oxytocin is also produced in human body in response to loving touch, during sexual intercourse, and during labor contractions.

Positioning	The way baby is held or situated when breastfeeding.
	There are many different kinds of breastfeeding positions. Older children probably try all possible ones if allowed to. The most common ones with newborns are cradle hold, football hold, cross-cradle hold, and side-lying.

Prolactin	A hormone produced by the pituitary that is responsible for the milk production within the alveoli in the breast.
	During pregnancy, prolactin makes the breasts grow. After giving birth, it stimulates the milk production. Prolactin is made in response to nipple stimulation, when the baby suckles at the breast. Low prolactin levels can affect mother's milk supply, in which case prescription drugs are often used.

Pumping	Extracting the milk from breast with the help of an external pump.
	There are both manual and electrical breast pumps, and several different brands. Pumping enables mothers to store their milk so that a caregiver can then give it to the baby while mom is away (for example working). Pumping is also used often if the mother has a low milk supply, or to induce lactation or relieve engorgement. Many moms with pre-term babies have to pump their milk since the baby is too small to feed at the breast.

Relactation	Resuming breastfeeding after a period of not producing milk, without giving birth in between.
	Relactation typically happens if a mother is forced to stop breastfeeding for a while, or if a formula-feeding mother later decides she wants to breastfeed. It certainly is possible, and is based on stimulating the nipples by a breast pump and/or baby. The less time since the mother ceased to breastfeed, the better the chances are to develop a full milk supply. See also inducing lactation.

SNS	Supplemental Nursing System by Medela
	A feeding tube device for giving premature, failure to thrive, impaired or adopted babies long-term supplemental feedings at the breast. Because it keeps the baby on the breast, the SNS avoids problems with sustaining the milk supply, and problems with nipple confusion for the baby. Manufacturer's website: Supplemental Nursing System

Tandem nursing	Breastfeeding two different aged children (siblings).
	Moms who continue nursing their child till toddler years often end up nursing a new baby and the previous child at the same time. This is perfectly natural and not dangerous - the breasts will adjust to produce enough milk for both. The older child may have nursed through mom's pregnancy, or may have weaned during pregnancy and then resumed nursing with the birth of the baby. See more information at The Official FAQ - Nursing During Pregnancy and Tandem Nursing at Kellymom.com

WBW	World Breastfeeding Week
	World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated in August 1-7 each year. In some places, national or local Breastfeeding Weeks are celebrated at other times such as during the month of October. See more info at World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) website.

Wet nurse	A woman breastfeeding someone else's child
	Wet nurses have been used a lot in times past, and were the standard solution in a situation where the real mother could or did not want to breastfeed. In the USA, wet-nursing or cross nursing (occasional nursing of another's infant) does still happen today but not in any organized manner. The practice has some potential problems and dangers, too.

Female breast as a taboo

Breast health

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Breastfeeding

Baring breasts in public

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Definitions of breastfeeding terms

A glossary of common breastfeeding terms and their definitions