Final answer:
To break the suction during breastfeeding, a mother should gently insert a finger into the infant's mouth. The hormones prolactin and oxytocin regulate milk production and release. The milk's composition changes from colostrum to mature milk over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
To break the suction of an infant during breastfeeding, the mother can gently insert a clean finger into the corner of the infant's mouth. This action reduces the vacuum created by the baby's suckling and allows for a gentle detachment without causing discomfort to the infant or the mother. Breaking the suction is important to safely stop the feeding and prevent nipple pain or injury.
The process of breastfeeding is controlled by complex hormonal interactions that involve prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin stimulates milk production in the alveoli of the mammary glands, while oxycotin is responsible for the milk-ejection reflex (let-down reflex). This milk then travels through the lactiferous ducts and is available to the infant upon suckling.
Breast milk composition changes over time. Initially, colostrum is produced which is rich in antibodies, and then transitions to mature milk which continues to provide essential nutrients and immunological protection to the infant.