Welcome to the insightful journey into the world of breastfeeding! Hi everyone, I’m Dr. Patel, and I am here to help you navigate the fourth trimester with ease. Today, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of hormones, specifically focusing on the hormone prolactin, which plays a crucial role in breastfeeding.
Unveiling the Mystery of Prolactin
Breastfeeding can seem like an entirely new world, especially if you’re navigating it for the first time. To truly comprehend breastfeeding, it’s essential to understand what happens in your body during this period. At the heart of it all is prolactin, a hormone as vital to breastfeeding success as water is to plants.
What is Prolactin?
Prolactin is the hormone that works tirelessly to make milk for your little one. Its function is straightforward: prolactin is responsible for milk production. Imagine it as the engine that powers a feeding factory. However, prolactin has a rhythm all its own.
The Rhythm of Prolactin
Prolactin doesn’t work all the time at the same speed. It follows a daily cycle or rhythm that coincides with your body’s natural processes. In the mornings, prolactin is at its peak, which explains why you might notice an increase in milk production during this time. Whether you’re pumping or breastfeeding, this surge is apparent.
Conversely, you may find that milk output isn’t as abundant in the afternoons and this is due to prolactin levels taking a dip. This natural cycle can be surprising but is something you already might recognize subconsciously.
“The mornings are for milk production—ride that wave, and when the afternoons come, remember it’s time for some rest.”
Why Does This Matter?
Recognizing prolactin’s cycle can help you optimize breastfeeding. For instance, scheduling pumping sessions in the morning or making sure to breastfeed more often when prolactin is higher can significantly improve milk supply.
Embracing the Natural Cycle
Morning Energy Surge
Even if you’ve endured a rough night, come morning you might wake up feeling more refreshed than you’d expect. That’s prolactin at work! Harness this morning energy for breastfeeding or pumping, maximizing the milk your body naturally wants to produce during these early hours.
Afternoon Rest and Recovery
Afternoons might feel exhausting—trust me, you’re not alone! This drop in prolactin can lead to tiredness as the body slows down on milk production. The good news? This is the perfect excuse for some downtime.
Napping: The Ultimate Prolactin Hack
Advocating for nap time during these crucial hours is not just recommended, it’s essential. Families with toddlers can turn this into a group nap time, ensuring everyone gets in some much-needed rest, while those with school-aged children can carve out those 30 minutes of tranquility just before the school pick-up rush. Think of this as hitting the ‘reset’ button on your body’s milk production capabilities.
The Two Pillars of Breastfeeding: Prolactin and Oxytocin
Breastfeeding isn’t solely about prolactin, although that’s our focus today. Let’s not overlook its partner in crime: oxytocin. Together, these two hormones create a seamless breastfeeding experience.
Oxytocin: The Milk Releaser
While prolactin is busy making milk, oxytocin is responsible for releasing it. It’s the hormone that triggers the milk ejection reflex (often referred to as letdown), allowing milk to flow from the breast to the baby.
Balancing the Hormones
Understanding how these hormones work in tandem is key for any breastfeeding parent. It’s why I always encourage my patients to embrace the natural rhythms of their bodies—listening to when it’s time to rest and when it’s time to engage actively with your baby or pump.
Conclusion
Recognizing the dynamics of prolactin and its rhythm can empower you in your breastfeeding journey. By optimizing your schedule around prolactin’s natural ebb and flow, you ensure a more rewarding and less stressful breastfeeding experience.
Remember, mornings are for making milk while afternoons are for resting and resetting. Advocate for those afternoon naps—your body will thank you.
With a better understanding of how your body works during the fourth trimester, supported by prolactin and oxytocin, you’re on the path to breastfeeding success!
Stay mindful of your body’s messages, and always make room for self-care amidst the demands of motherhood.
Happy Breastfeeding!
Feel free to share your breastfeeding stories or ask questions in the comments below. For more insights, tips, and guidance, follow along!
In today’s competitive job market, companies that support working parents not only attract great employees but also keep them around longer, increase productivity, and create a stronger company culture. As more people, especially parents, look for a better balance between work and home life, creating a family-friendly workplace has become an important business strategy. Here are some simple ways for employers to support working parents:
Offering Paid Parental Leave Providing paid parental leave allows employees to take the time they need to care for their newborns without the added stress of financial insecurity. This not only aids in employee retention but also ensures that parents can return to work feeling refreshed and focused.
Creating Flexible Work Environments Flexibility is key. Offering remote work options, flexible hours, and part-time opportunities can make it easier for parents to balance their personal and professional responsibilities. This flexibility leads to higher employee satisfaction and productivity.
Providing Child Care Assistance Childcare can be one of the largest barriers for working parents, particularly for mothers. Companies can help by offering on-site childcare, subsidizing childcare costs, or partnering with local daycare providers to ensure employees have reliable and affordable care options.
Fostering a Supportive Company Culture A company culture that values work-life balance and supports parents can have a profound impact on employee morale and engagement. Encouraging managers to lead by example and promoting open communication about family needs can create a supportive environment where employees feel empowered to thrive both at work and at home.
Creating a family-friendly workplace benefits both parents and the company. When companies give parents the support and flexibility they need, they see higher employee satisfaction and retention. By following these simple steps, companies can build a workplace that values work-life balance, improves morale, and attracts top talent. A family-friendly workplace is good for employees and good for business.
A joint study between Great Place To Work and Maven has found that there are significant benefits in creating a supportive environment for working parents, demonstrating its positive impact on both employees and companies.
Key Findings from the Study:
Significant Business Gains- According to the study, companies that provide strong support for working parents experience notable financial gains. Businesses that excel in supporting working parents see 4.4 times greater profitability and 2.1 times greater revenue growth compared to those that don’t. These results demonstrate that a commitment to family-friendly policies isn’t just good for employees—it’s also good for business.
Improved Employee Engagement and Loyalty- Employees at workplaces that prioritize family support report higher levels of engagement. The study found that employees in these environments are 5.6 times more likely to feel valued and 4.5 times more likely to recommend their company to others. This translates to higher retention rates and a more engaged workforce that is eager to contribute to the company’s success.
Retention of Top Talent- One of the most significant challenges businesses face today is talent retention. This challenge becomes even more pronounced when it comes to parents in the workforce. Research from the study shows that companies with robust parental benefits are better able to retain key employees, particularly women. Without this support, 43% of women leave the workforce within the first year of having a child, which can result in expensive turnover costs. Offering parental leave, flexible work arrangements, and childcare support can help retain these valuable employees.
The Power of Flexibility- Flexibility in work arrangements is one of the most effective ways to support working parents. The study found that companies offering flexible hours or remote work options saw higher levels of productivity and job satisfaction. Parents who are able to manage their work schedules around family commitments are more focused, less stressed, and able to contribute more effectively to the business.
The findings from Great Place to Work’s largest-ever study on working parents are clear: businesses that invest in supporting their employees’ family lives are reaping the rewards in terms of higher revenue, profitability, and talent retention. By embracing family-friendly policies and offering flexible work options, companies can build a more engaged, loyal, and productive workforce—ultimately driving long-term success.
As the workforce continues to evolve, it’s time for more companies to recognize the powerful business case for supporting working parents. The future of work is not just about driving profits; it’s about building a thriving, inclusive workplace where everyone, including working parents, has the support they need to succeed.
Learn more about how companies can support parents in the workplace here. (link Creating a Family-Friendly Workplace: Best Practices blog)
I didn’t want to go back. There, I said it. After each of my four boys, I didn’t want to go back. And no, it’s not because I didn’t love my job. I adored my job. I spent all my twenties and the early part of my thirties chasing my dream, and guess what? I caught it. But I didn’t want to go back because I’d become a mother.
And before you start getting judgey, trust me—I was judgey too. Before motherhood, I didn’t get it. I didn’t understand it. I couldn’t comprehend it. Scratch that—I didn’t even see it. I didn’t acknowledge the seismic shift my body, mind, and life had endured for over a year. (Side note, that scientific term is matrescence, a birth of a mother and patrescence, a birth of a father.)
My thirties became a juggling act: growing my family, working, and chasing that utterly ridiculous concept of “work-life balance.” Spoiler alert: there is no balance. There are only choices. You make decisions in each moment to create some semblance of normalcy— decisions made in the moment to keep things from falling apart. Sometimes you nail it. Sometimes you’re handing your three-year-old your Lean Cuisine after a 30-hour hospital shift because that’s all you’ve got left in the tank. And sure, you’ll spiral down the rabbit hole of what ifs when you’re exhausted and vulnerable. But at the end of the day, you choose the best path you can at that moment.
There are two constants in life and society— breeding and capitalism. And why should capitalism support breeding? Because, at its most basic level, breeding supports capitalism (you know—future workers). If you want a deeper dive into how these two intertwine, check out The Doctor and Her Black Bag, an evidence-based book that explores the economics of maternal mortality.
Bottom line? Supporting working parents isn’t just a moral obligation anymore. It’s a smart business move. Supporting working parents isn’t just a warm, fuzzy idea anymore—it’s a strategic advantage. It drives growth, sustains industries, and creates a future workforce. Companies that figure this out aren’t just doing the “right thing”—they’re setting themselves up for long-term success.
Pregnancy and early infancy mark significant periods in a person’s life, demanding utmost care and attention to ensure optimal health and development. Among the essential nutrients needed during these stages, Vitamin D stands out for its pivotal role in maternal and infant well-being. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the critical importance of Vitamin D for new moms and babies, discussing its necessity, sources, deficiency testing, treatment methods, and the latest literature supporting its significance.
Mechanism of Vitamin D
Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, facilitates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus.
Here’s a breakdown of how Vitamin D is used in the body.
1.Sun Exposure: When your skin is exposed to sunlight, a precursor molecule in your skin called 7-dehydrocholesterol undergoes a chemical reaction, converting it into pre-vitamin D3.
2. Conversion in the Liver: Pre-vitamin D3 then travels to the liver, where it undergoes further modification to become 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], also known as calcidiol. This form of Vitamin D is the major circulating form in the bloodstream and serves as an indicator of overall Vitamin D status.
3. Activation in the Kidneys: 25(OH)D travels to the kidneys, where it undergoes another transformation catalyzed by an enzyme called 1-alpha-hydroxylase, resulting in the production of the active form of Vitamin D, known as 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D], or calcitriol.
4. Regulation of Calcium and Phosphorus: Calcitriol plays a crucial role in regulating calcium and phosphorus levels in the body. It enhances the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestines into the bloodstream, ensuring an adequate supply for various physiological processes.
5. Bone Health: One of the primary functions of Vitamin D is to maintain bone health by promoting calcium absorption in the intestines and preventing calcium loss in the urine. Adequate Vitamin D levels help ensure proper mineralization of bones, preventing conditions like rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.
6. Muscle Function: Vitamin D also contributes to muscle function and strength by maintaining calcium levels within muscle cells. Sufficient Vitamin D levels may help reduce the risk of falls and fractures, particularly in older adults.
7. Immune Regulation: Emerging research suggests that Vitamin D plays a role in modulating the immune system, potentially reducing the risk of autoimmune diseases and supporting immune function.
8. The relationship between Vitamin D and mental health is an area of growing research interest, with evidence suggesting that Vitamin D may play a role in various aspects of mental well-being. Here’s an overview of the relationship between Vitamin D and mental health:
Mood Regulation: Vitamin D receptors are present in areas of the brain involved in mood regulation, such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Studies have suggested that Vitamin D may influence the synthesis and release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which are involved in mood regulation. Low levels of Vitamin D have been associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Cognitive Function: Adequate Vitamin D levels have been linked to better cognitive function and a reduced risk of cognitive decline in older adults. Research suggests that Vitamin D may play a role in neuroprotection, promoting nerve growth and repair, which could contribute to maintaining cognitive health.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that occurs at a specific time of the year, usually during the winter months when sunlight exposure is reduced. Vitamin D deficiency, resulting from decreased sunlight exposure during winter, has been implicated in the development of SAD. Supplementing with Vitamin D or light therapy, which mimics natural sunlight, has shown some benefit in managing SAD symptoms.
Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders: Some studies have found an association between Vitamin D deficiency during prenatal or early life stages and an increased risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders later in life. However, further research is needed to establish a causal relationship and understand the underlying mechanisms.
Neuroinflammation: Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties and may help modulate immune responses in the central nervous system. Dysregulation of immune responses and neuroinflammation have been implicated in various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Vitamin D’s anti-inflammatory effects may contribute to its potential role in mental health.
While these findings suggest a potential link between Vitamin D and mental health, it’s essential to note that the relationship is complex, and Vitamin D supplementation is not a standalone treatment for mental health disorders. Factors such as genetics, lifestyle, diet, and environmental influences also play significant roles in mental well-being. Therefore, further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the relationship between Vitamin D and mental health and to determine the potential therapeutic implications. Individuals concerned about their mental health should consult with healthcare professionals for personalized assessment and treatment recommendations.
Vitamin D Needs Increase During Pregnancy
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the recommended daily intake of Vitamin D escalates to 400- 600 IU/day, ensuring adequate support for the developing fetus and newborn. Insufficient levels of Vitamin D during these phases can elevate the risk of complications such as preeclampsia, low birth weight, and preterm birth, underlining the significance of supplementation to avert adverse outcomes. Moreover, a randomized control trial even advocated for pregnant women taking up to 4,000 IU of daily vitamin D to prevent preterm labor/births and infections. Talk to your OB/GYN for the right amount of Vitamin D for your individualized health and verify the amount of vitamin D in your prenatals.
Benefits of Vitamin D for Newborns and Infants
Beyond skeletal health, Vitamin D offers a myriad of benefits for newborns and infants. It shields against infections, asthma, and eczema while potentially reducing the likelihood of type 1 diabetes. Moreover, Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in cognitive and neurodevelopment, underscoring its influence on a child’s academic performance, behavior, and overall growth trajectory. Recent studies have further elucidated the importance of Vitamin D in maternal and infant health. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that maternal Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus and low birth weight (Aghajafari et al., 2013). Another study published in JAMA Pediatrics highlighted the link between maternal Vitamin D status during pregnancy and offspring neurodevelopmental outcomes, emphasizing the long-term implications of adequate Vitamin D levels for child development (Whitehouse et al., 2012).
For infants, the recommendations for Vitamin D supplementation vary depending on the country and healthcare guidelines. However, the end goal is for the breastfeed baby to receive a minimum of 400 IU of vitamin D.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): The AAP recommends that exclusively and partially breastfed infants receive a daily Vitamin D supplement of 400 IU (international units) starting from the first days of life. For breastfeeding mothers, the AAP suggests they continue taking prenatal vitamins containing Vitamin D or supplement with 600 to 800 IU of Vitamin D daily to ensure sufficient levels in breast milk.
Health Canada: Health Canada recommends a daily Vitamin D supplement of 400 IU for breastfed infants until they reach one year of age. For breastfeeding mothers, Health Canada advises a daily intake of 600 IU of Vitamin D to ensure adequate levels in breast milk.
National Health Service (NHS) UK: The NHS suggests that breastfeeding mothers should take a daily Vitamin D supplement of 10 micrograms (400 IU) to ensure they and their breastfed infants receive sufficient Vitamin D.
World Health Organization (WHO): The WHO recommends a daily Vitamin D supplement of 400 IU for infants and children under five years of age who are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency. They also advise lactating mothers to take Vitamin D supplements if they have limited exposure to sunlight or are at risk of deficiency.
In the 4th trimester: How New Moms and Babies Can Obtain Sufficient Vitamin D
Attaining optimal Vitamin D levels during pregnancy and lactation necessitates diverse strategies. Moderate sun exposure, approximately 10-15 minutes per day, enables the skin to synthesize Vitamin D; however, precautions against excessive sun exposure are vital to prevent sunburn and skin damage. Additionally, incorporating Vitamin D-rich foods such as fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified products into the diet can augment intake. When dietary sources are insufficient, supplements offer a reliable means of meeting the required Vitamin D levels, with dosage tailored to individual needs under healthcare provider guidance. Furthermore, breastfeeding mothers should prioritize maintaining their own Vitamin D levels to ensure adequate transfer of the nutrient to their infants via breast milk.
Breastfed babies can receive this supplementation directly. An alternative way is for breastfeeding mothers to increase her own intake of vitamin D supplementation safely to 6400-8000 IU/day. Formula fed babies receive adequate amounts in their formulas. When newborn feeding is from breastmilk and formula or families are transitioning from breastfeeding to formula feeding, supplementation of vitamin D should continue until the baby is receiving over 50% of nutrition from formula.
Deficiency, Testing and Treating
Research has shown that 40-60% of the US population is vitamin D deficient. Contributing factors include lack of foods that contain vitamin D, lactose intolerance, and usage of sunscreen. Other factors can include the ability to make/absorb vitamin D. In terms of sunscreen which prevents skin care, most sunscreen products are activated after 15 minutes of application. Thus, applying sunscreen right before exposure can ensure the 10-15 minute exposure needed while balancing the protection from sun exposure.
Regular assessment of Vitamin D status through blood tests is suggested during pregnancy to detect deficiencies.. Upon diagnosis, healthcare providers prescribe high-dose supplements to rectify deficiencies, followed by maintenance therapy to sustain optimal Vitamin D levels. A combined approach involving supplementation and judicious sun exposure proves effective in addressing deficiencies and safeguarding maternal and infant health.
Take Home Message
In essence, Vitamin D emerges as a cornerstone of maternal and infant health, exerting profound impacts on bone strength, immune function, and neurodevelopment. By prioritizing adequate intake of Vitamin D through sunlight exposure, dietary sources, and supplementation, expectant mothers can optimize outcomes for themselves and their babies. Regular screening for deficiency and prompt intervention further enhance the prospects of a healthy pregnancy and infancy. With ongoing research continuing to underscore the importance of Vitamin D, it remains a key focus in maternal and child healthcare.
References
Aghajafari, F., Nagulesapillai, T., Ronksley, P. E., Tough, S. C., O’Beirne, M., & Rabi, D. M. (2013). Association between maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Journal of Nutrition, 143(5), 765-772.
Whitehouse, A. J., Holt, B. J., Serralha, M., Holt, P. G., Hart, P. H., & Kusel, M. M. (2012). Maternal serum vitamin D levels during pregnancy and offspring neurocognitive development. Pediatrics, 129(3), 485-493.
Vitamin D Supplementation during Pregnancy Part 2 NICHD/CTSA Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT): Outcomes.
