Breastfeeding Dictionary

Nursing lingo confusing you? Use our helpful Breastfeeding Dictionary to, well, UNconfuse you!

Areola — That darker area around your nipple

Bonding — The wonderful, magical thing that happens between mother and child during breastfeeding.

Breast Shell — A wonderful tool to help a mommy with inverted or flat nipples. Also known as a breast shield, breast shell or a milk cup. Made of plastic and fits onto the breast.

Colostrum — Very rich in many nutrients and also known as "Liquid Gold", colostrum is off white or yellowish in color.

This thick liquid is secreted from the breast within the first days of giving birth. Colostrum can also be secreted during pregnancy.

Engorgement — Quite painful when breasts are very full with milk. Engorgement can cause inflammation and an infection called "mastis"

Flat nipple — A nipple that does not extend outside of the breast even when cold or stimulated.

Glandular tissue —Glandular tissue, found in the breast, aids in the production of human milk.

Inflammation — The area will feel very warm, swollen, discolored (reddish) and painful. This happens when the area is infected.

Inverted nipple — Much like a flat nipple, an inverted nipple will retract further into the breast.

Lactation — Breastfeeding or nursing. The secretion of human breast milk.

Lactation amenorrhea — Also known as "nature's birth control". Ovulation is supressed due to exclusive breastfeeding.

Lactose — A type of sugar found in milk.

Lactivist — A lactation (breastfeeding) activist.

Let-down — A reflex in the breast that releases milk through the ducts to be released through the nipple. At the beginning of nursing, let-down may take a few minutes. The more often you breastfeed, the quicker the reflex will occur.

Mammary ducts — Ducts found in the breast that carry milk from the alveoli to the nipple.

Mastitis — Normally caused when bacteria gets into the breast through damaged nipples, engorged breasts or by a milk duct that is plugged.

Oxytocin — Female hormone that aids in the production of the breast milk ejection. While breastfeeding, Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract and can help return the uterus to its pre-pregnancy size.

Progesterone — A female hormone, which aids in the production of breast milk.

Prolactin — A female hormone which stimulates the breast to produce human breast milk and also restrains the ovaries from ovulating.

Rooting — A natural newborn reflex to suck or swallow. You will find if you tickle your newborn's lips with your nipple, the baby will instinctively turn her head to search for your breast.

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