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Each mammary gland forms a lobe in the breast. There are about 15 to 25 lobes in each breast. Each lobe is composed of a single branch of alveoli cells, milk ducts and a lactiferous sinus that tapers into an opening in the nipple. The nipple tissue, which protrudes from the breast, becomes firmer with stimulation. This makes it easier for the baby to latch on, or take the nipple area in its mouth. While nursing, a baby compresses the areola cells, forcing milk through tiny openings in the nipple. Milk production is directly related to the frequency of breastfeeding. The more often a baby nurses, the more milk will be produced.

Hormones play a major role in breastfeeding. During pregnancy, an increase in estrogen causes the ductules to grow. After delivery, estrogen levels fall and remain low during the first several months of breastfeeding. Levels of the hormones progesterone and prolactin also increase. The higher levels of progesterone cause the alveoli cells and lobes to grow, while the increase in prolactin levels contributes to the growth of breast tissue.

Prolactin levels may also rise during breastfeeding, as the result of nipple stimulation. As the hormone is released into the mother’s bloodstream during breastfeeding, the alveolar cells react by manufacturing milk. Another essential hormone is oxytocin. This hormone causes the let-down, or milk ejection reflex to occur. When released, it causes the alveoli cells to contract so milk can be pushed down into the ducts. Oxytocin also triggers the contraction of the uterus before and after birth. As a result, release of the hormone helps the uterus return to its normal size and decreases any bleeding a woman may experience after birth.

During the first 24 hours after delivery, a woman’s breasts produce a small amount of colostrum, rich thick milk that is typically yellow or golden in color. The baby usually drinks about 1 teaspoon of colostrum at each feeding. The substance is very gentle on the baby’s stomach. Two to five days after delivery, mature milk comes in. This milk is typically bluish-white, but may still appear yellow or golden for about two weeks. During this period the baby may feed quite often, at least eight to 12 times in 24 hours. The feedings may take approximately 15 to 20 minutes on each breast, however, they vary with each baby.

By the fourth to sixth week after delivery, the baby will be more effective at breastfeeding and have a larger stomach to hold more milk. The feedings may begin to take less time and be spaced farther apart. During this time, the milk will gradually start to look bluish-white at the beginning of a feeding, and creamy white toward the end. The color of breast milk can vary from day to day. Eating certain foods can change the color of breast milk, but this is not harmful to the baby.

Breastfeeding may be done exclusively, partially or minimally. Exclusive breastfeeding involves feeding a baby only breast milk. Partial breastfeeding describes a diet of mostly breast milk, supplemented with small amounts of formula, juice, water or solid foods. Minimal breastfeeding involves feeding a baby almost entirely with formula and other foods.

Although some babies may begin to eat solid foods by about four to six months of age, the majority of a baby’s diet for the first year of life will consist of breast milk or formula. Physicians recommend that women do not feed their infants cow's milk until they are at least 1 year old.

During the second year, a baby will require a wider variety of foods to provide the necessary calories and nutrition. A woman should discuss when to cease breastfeeding, or wean her baby, with her baby’s pediatrician. Weaning is when a baby stops breastfeeding and receives all of it nourishment from sources other than breast milk.

Although infant formula contains many of the nutrients necessary for a baby to develop and grow, it cannot duplicate the exact content of breast milk. For this reason, many experts recommend exclusively breastfeeding for as long as possible. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends that babies be fed breast milk exclusively for the first six months of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that babies be partially breast-fed beyond their first year of life. Introducing supplements of formula, water, juice and other fluids during the first six months is not recommended because it could interfere with the mother’s milk supply.

To meet this need for breast milk, especially after returning to work or school, many women use a breast pump, a device designed to pump milk from the breast. In order to maintain the milk supply required by her baby, a mother must either breastfeed or use a breast pump according to her baby’s eating schedule. Manual pumps that are operated by hand, and automatic pumps that run on battery or electrical power are available.

By simulating a baby’s sucking action, breast pumps cause milk to be expressed from the breast. Many women also are able to manually express breast milk with their hands. By gently squeezing the areola and breast, milk can be released from the milk ducts. The milk can then be stored in the refrigerator or freezer and fed to the baby through a bottle at a later time. This ensures that the baby is still receiving all of the health benefits of consuming its mother’s milk. In addition, expressing milk can relieve the discomfort of excess collection of milk in the breast when the baby cannot be fed.

According to a survey conducted in 2004 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70 percent of all mothers breastfed after delivery. At six months following delivery, 38 percent were still breastfeeding and by 12 months, 18 percent were breastfeeding.