Milk & Homeopathy.

Milk is the secretion of the mammary glands. It is the sole food-stuff of suck lings and it provides the adequate nutrition during the suckling stage. Although it is not a perfect food but it supplies many of the essential nutrients with few exceptions like copper, iron, etc.

Colostrum: The fluid secreted in the first three days after child birth, is called colostrums. It is thick, yellowish in color, and very rich in proteins and salts. It contains large granular cells called colostrums corpuscles. The higher protein content is mainly due to the presence of globulins. The protein content gradually falls with simultaneous steady rise in the fat and carbohydrate content until the true milk level is attained. It is coagulated by heat or even spontaneously on standing.

Intermediate milk (or transition milk): The milk formed after colostrums and up to four weeks, is called the intermediate milk or transition milk.

Mature milk: The mature milk is secreted after one month. The general properties and composition of mature milk of all mammals are more or less same.

Lactation:

Active lactation starts only after delivery and removal of placenta. After delivery prolectin levels rise considerably and initiate lactation. When placenta is removed, prolactin acts unopposed due to withdrawal of estrogen and progesterone and free lactation starts. Free flow of milk occurs after the birth of the child. There is diminution of estrogen level in blood which in turn promotes the secretion of lactogenic hormones or prolactin from anterior pituitary. For the maintenance of lactation following parturition, continued secretions of prolactin along with ACTH, GH, and TSH from the anterior pituitary are required. Beside these, suckling is required for the maintenance of lactation. Because by this process both prolactin and oxytocin are secreted. Prolactin helps in the process of lactation and oxytocin is required for milk ejection.

Emotion excitement like worry, fear, sadness, etc, during lactation may inhibit milk flow. Emotional stress might inhibit the release of oxytocin acting through neurohypophysis. Disturbances in milk ejection causes filling up of mammary gland and cessation of lactation.

Benefits of Breast Feeding

Benefits to Infants:

Protective effects against many diseases like-
Diarrhea
Lower respiratory infections (i.e. RSV)
Otitis media (middle ear infections)
Bacteremia (bacterial infection in the blood)
Botulism (a severe form of food poisoning)
Urinary tract infections
Bacterial meningitis
Necrotizing enterocolitis (severe bowel infection usually found in premature infants)
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Diabetes
Crohn's Disease (an inflammatory bowel disease)
Ulcerative Colitis (chronic digestive disease)
Lymphoma and other childhood cancers
Allergies
Metabolic diseases
Enhanced immune response to vaccines
Enhanced cognitive development—Higher IQ scores (an average of 8.5 points higher)
According to the American Dental Association, breastfed infants have fewer cavities, better jaw development, and fewer orthodontic problems later in life.

Benefits to Mothers:

Less uterine bleeding after birth
Delayed resumption of ovulation and optimal child spacing
Provides protection against postmenopausal osteoporosis (i.e. hip fractures)
Decreased risk of ovarian and breast cancer
Promotes weight loss after birth
Improved glucose metabolism and reduced insulin requirements for diabetic mothers

Homeopathic remedies for disorders of lactation:

Belladonna- Inflammation of breasts, pain which goes from centre to circumference. Breasts are hard like stone and tender. Face is flushed, pupils dilated. Skin hot and dry.

Calc carb- Secretion of watery milk with fever, excessive perspiration, and weakness. Sensitive to cold; Lack of energy to secrete milk; intolerance of milk in infants due to mothers problem; Hot swelling of breast; with anxiety and fear in mother.

Lac caninum- It is mainly used to dry up milk. Indications are: excessive milk production; erratic pains in breasts which alternate sides; mastitis; etc.

Lac defloratum: A very useful remedy to start milk production.

Phytolacca decandra: Excessive flow of milk while nursing; nipples are very sensitive due to pain; nipples excoriated and fissured; etc.

Phellandrium: Pain in milk ducts and in nipples; intolerable while nursing.

Pulsatilla: Women who have little milk and of mild tearful nature; pain in breasts which changes from place to place; after weaning, breast swell, feel stretched and tense and are sore; milk continues to flow.

Silicea: feeding becomes difficult due to retracted nipples; inflammation of breasts with bad taste of milk or suppression of milk; child refuses to nurse or if it does it vomits; etc.

Calc phos: The taste of milk is salty due to which child refuses to take the milk.