A quick round up of some essential breastfeeding terms, perfect for new breastfeeding mums: 

Areola 

The dark, round area that surrounds your nipple. 

 

Blocked milk ducts 

When the milk ducts become clogged or blocked and milk is unable to flow freely. This condition may lead to mastitis if left unresolved. 

 

Breast pump 

A specially designed machine that draws breast milk from the breast using suction. There are a few different types of breast pumps available: 

• Manual or electric 
• Single or double – so you can pump one or two breasts at a time 
• Cord-free or plugin 
• Commercial or hospital grade 

 

Breast pads 

Small absorbent pads that can be tucked inside a bra to help absorb any leaked breast milk to prevent this seeping through to your top. You can buy disposable or reusable breast pads, have a look at our reusable bamboo ones here. 

 

Colostrum 

A thick, creamy, yellow substance that is produced by the breast post birth and for the first 3 or so days after the baby is born. This is the baby’s first feed/s and is jam packed with valuable nutrients and immune boosting enzymes designed to give the baby the best start in life. 

 

Cluster feeding 

When your baby wants a lot of food in a short amount of time. Usually occurs prior to a growth spurt. 

 

Engorgement 

When the breast becomes sore, swollen and feel very firm. This is a result of the breasts being overfull. This can occur at any time during breastfeeding; most often within the 36 hours after delivery when milk supply is being established or when mums first wake up in the morning if their babies don’t feed at night 

 

Expressing 

When you pump or hand express to produce breast milk. 

 

Feeding on demand 

Baby is fed when they are hungry. Feeding is not timed to a clock or specific schedule, but to your baby’s appetite. 

 

Flange 

If you’ve been using a breast pump you might have heard of this one. It fits over your nipple and areola to form a seal, helping to pull milk through your milk ducts and out your nipple. 

 

Foremilk 

This is the first milk released by the breast at the beginning of every feed. This milk is much more watery and will quench baby’s thirst. 

 

Fourth Trimester 

The 12-week period immediately after you have your baby. Not everyone has heard of it, but every mother and their newborn baby will go through it. It is a time of great physical and emotional change as your baby adjusts to being outside the womb, and you adjust to your new life as a mum. 

 

Hind milk 

This is the milk the breast produces during the middle of the feed. It is much thicker and richer and contains the beneficial nutrients and fats that baby needs to develop and grow. 

 

Lactation 

The secretion of breastmilk. 

 

Lactation consultant  

A trained professional who specialises in breastfeeding support. 

 

Lanolin 

Extracted from the wool of sheep, this cream has soothing, moisturizing and healing properties and is often used to help ease painful nipples after breastfeeding. 

 

Latch 

This is the attachment of your baby's mouth to your breast in order to feed. A good latch is important for comfortable and efficient feeding. 

 

La Leche League 

Breastfeeding support group 

 

Liquid gold 

A nickname for breastmilk given because of the high concentration of nutrients contained in it. 

 

Let down 

This is the initial sensation felt when the milk is released from the breast. Sometimes you can feel it (occasionally it may be painful) and sometimes you can’t. 

 

Mastitis 

A painful infection in the breast caused by blocked milk ducts. A woman can become very unwell and suffer from flu-like symptoms and a rash and should seek medical assistance. 

 

Milk blister 

When a blocked duct appears close to the skin on your nipple and cells form over the top of it making a bubble or a blister. 

 

Nip lash 

When your baby gets distracted and turns his head to look around but he still has your nipple in his mouth and he clamps down so it doesn’t fall out but stretches your nipple and areola area. 

 

Nipple shield 

A protective plastic cup used to shield the nipple when the baby breastfeeds. Some women use it to aid in protecting the nipple against damage caused by breastfeeding in the early weeks. 

 

Overactive Let-Down

A forceful ejection of milk from the breasts during feeding that may cause issues while breastfeeding. 

 

Oxytocin 

Hormone that is released from your brain when you breastfeed. Oxytocin is also known as the ‘love’ or ‘feel good’ hormone. Oxytocin is important for creating a bond with your baby, decreasing pain and stress in both parent and baby, and helping you recover from childbirth. 

 

Reflux 

Infant reflux occurs when food backs up (refluxes) from a baby's stomach, causing the baby to spit up. Sometimes called gastroesophageal reflux (GER) 

 

Rooting 

The natural instinct of a newborn to try to seek out the breast. You baby will snuffle around your chest looking for milk. 

 

Tandem breastfeeding 

When a mother breastfeeds two children at once. 

 

Thrush 

Thrush is a yeast fungus that often flares up in babies. A possible sign is white patches in your baby’s mouth and fussiness that makes feeding difficult. You and your baby will likely both need to be treated with antifungal medication for thrush since you can pass it back and forth. 

 

Tongue tie 

A condition where the tissue connecting the baby’s tongue to the floor of the mouth is short and tight. This can restrict a baby’s breastfeeding ability as they may not be able to properly latch. It can be difficult to see if your baby has a tongue tie yourself so it’s worth talking to a lactation consultant to advise on this. 

 

Weaning  

When a baby is weaned from its mothers breast milk and introduced to solid foods.