30535
document
Acute prolactin and oxytocin responses and milk yield to infant suckling and artificial methods of expression in lactating women . Breast-feeding is today the major form of infant nutrition in the immediate postpartum period . Despite this , recent trends in modern life-styles have raised obstacles to successful lactation . These include infant illness and maternal responsibilities outside the home , both requiring separation from the mother . While the hormonal dynamics of infant suckling are understood , little is known about the effects of artificial methods of milk expression . A variety of breast pumps exist in the current US market which vary considerably in price and effectiveness . To understand better the ability of these pumps to assist women in the maintenance of lactation , the current study was undertaken to evaluate their effects on milk yield and prolactin and oxytocin release when compared to natural infant suckling . Twenty-three women who were exclusively breast-feeding their infants were randomly assigned to serially use several pumping methods , as well as infant suckling , with blood being taken at 10-minute intervals to determine the hormonal responses . The results reveal variability in the prolactin responses to the artificial pumping methods , with the greatest responses found with an electric pulsatile pump ; these responses compare favorably with those of natural infant suckling . Other methods were less successful in causing prolactin elevations . No differences were seen among the methods in the oxytocin response . The results of this study demonstrate striking differences in the ability of breast-pumping methods to produce an acute and sustained prolactin rise in breast-feeding mothers . The large discrepancies found suggest the need for further studies in to enable women and health care providers to choose the most appropriate method for milk expression . ( ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS )
30536
Intervention_Pharmacological
prolactin
30537
Intervention_Pharmacological
oxytocin
30538
Outcome_Physical
milk yield
30539
Outcome_Other
artificial methods of expression
30540
Outcome_Other
milk expression
30541
Outcome_Other
milk yield and prolactin and oxytocin release
30542
Outcome_Other
prolactin responses
30543
Outcome_Other
prolactin elevations
30544
Outcome_Other
oxytocin response
30545
Outcome_Other
acute and sustained prolactin rise
30546
Participant_Sex
women
30547
Participant_Sample-size
Twenty-three
30548
Participant_Condition
women