ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a better understanding of how breastfeeding works. The size and shape of the breast, nipple and areola vary dramatically between women without affecting the ability to breastfeed. Inch reported pregnancy if any relationship between protractility and breastfeeding problems as the baby forms a teat from the surrounding areola tissue and not solely the nipple. While the skin becomes more elastic during the third trimester of pregnancy in preparation for nursing, some of the cells in the nipple and areola may stay attached. During pregnancy, prolactin levels rise steadily, from approximately 10 ng per millilitre in the non-pregnant state to approximately 200 ng per millilitre at term. The uterus continues to contract for 20 minutes after feeds finish although secretion of oxytocin returns to normal levels six minutes after nipple stimulation ceases. Oxytocin also causes the uterus to contract, which helps to control post-partum bleeding and more rapid involution of the uterus to the pre-pregnant state.
