Establishment of lactation at the early stages, risk factors and prevention of hypogalactia

Abstract

According to the literature, hypogalactia is the most common cause of early termination of breast-feeding. The article describes the risk factors for the development of hypogalactia in the first days after birth, such as cesarean section, motherchild separation, and the low frequency of newborn feeding in the first day of life. In addition, the use of formulas without medical indications, especially in the first days after birth, when the success lactation is being established, is the most common cause of termination of breastfeeding due to hypogalactia. Medical indications for supplementary feeding, as well as ways of feeding with a formula that would not suppress the mother’s own lactation, are discussed in detail in the article on the basis of the guidelines of the American Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Particular attention is paid to the main factors of the establishment of natural lactation: early application to the breast during the first hour of life, prolonged skin-toskin contact  between  mother  and  child, frequent feeding upon request of the child, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).