SƟmulates milk producƟon in alveolus Facilitates uterus to return to normal size Causes release of milk from alvelous HORMONE SOURCE ACTIVITY Oestrogen Ovary and placenta Stimulates breast development during pregnancy Progesterone Ovary and placenta Stimulates breast development during pregnancy Prolactin Anterior pituitary gland Simulates milk production Oxytocin Posterior pituitary gland "Let down" reflex: Smooth muscles surrounding the alveoli of the nipples contract to allow the release of milk. of the mother during lactation mainly depends on the volume of milk produced, duration of lactation, and the composition of breastmilk to meet the requirements of the growing infant. . .
Role of hormones in milk production Sucking by infant initiates hormonal changes that leads to milk production and let down reflex, which releases milk as shown in figure . This process of lactation is controlled by various hormones. The source of the Table . Hormonal control of lactation hormones and their function is summarised in table .
Fig . process of stimulation of milk production UNIT. - - Nutrition in pregnancy, lactation and infancy . .
Nutrient requirement during lactation a) Energy The additional energy needed for lactation is drawn from maternal adipose tissue stores lay down during pregnancy. Depending on the adequacy of the stores, additional energy input may be needed in the lactating women’s daily diet. This is the reason nutrition expert committee ( ) prescribed additional calories and respectively for - months and to months. b) Protein During lactation, protein requirement has been computed on the basis of secretion of protein in milk.
An additional daily intake of . g for the first months and . g during - months of lactation is prescribed. If energy or protein is lacking, there will be a reduction in milk volume rather than in milk quality.
c) Minerals i) Calcium The increased amount of calcium that is required during gestation for mineralization of the foetal skeleton is now diverted into the mother’s milk production. Both during pregnancy and lactation mg has been prescribed by ICMR. The retention of dietary calcium in lactating women