The breasts are working organs of the female body. They can fully nourish one or more babies for many months after delivery. Breasts change during pregnancy and lactation (the process of how your body makes milk).
◆ The breast is formed by the skin, chest muscles, blood vessels, nerves, fatty tissue, and milk-producing tissue.
◆ The areola* is the darker circular area around the nipple.
◆ Montgomery glands, which are bumps on the areola, secrete a protective oily substance that lubricates the nipple and areola. The substance also discourages the growth of bacteria on the nipple and areola.
◆ Inside the breast, milk glands contain the alveoli* (milk-producing cells). Milk is released from the alveoli in response to your baby’s suckling.
◆ Milk ducts carry the milk from the alveoli to the nipple.
◆ Each nipple has 15–25 duct openings from the milk ducts. About eight work at one time.
Changes in your breasts
Before pregnancy
Your breasts were getting ready to breastfeed before you ever thought about becoming a mother. Milk glands began to develop during your teenage years.
During pregnancy
The breast grows and develops in pregnancy because of the action of the hormones*. Also, the areola and nipple increase in size and become darker in colour. Milk glands and ducts increase in number and grow. Your breasts start to make milk at about 16 weeks of your pregnancy. Some women may leak colostrum* during pregnancy. This is normal.
