Breast feeding is about infant feeding, a form of giving nourishment at its best. It is more than food, a meal, an antibiotic and nurturing. Breastfeeding is a natural process filled with nutrients needed for healthy growing baby.Breast milk refers to the milk produced by a mother to feed her baby. It provides the primary source of nutrition for babies before they are able to eat and digest other foods.Breast milk tends to be more easily digested so that breastfed babies have fewer incidences of diarrhea or constipation.

Breast milk consists of fat, protein, carbohydrate and minerals essentials for growing babies. This is why the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Breast feeding offers so many health benefits to infants, which includes the releases of oxytocin and prolactin, hormones that relax the mother and make her feel more nurturing toward her baby.Breast feeding lowers the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, decreases dental problems. Breast feeding helps nursing mothers burn calories and shrink the uterus, so nursing moms may be able to return to their pre-pregnancy shape and weight quicker.

Breast milk contains some vitamin D, and vitamin D is produced by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. And because of the immunities and antibodies passed onto babies through their mothers' breast milk, breastfed infants rarely fall sick.

Given all these advantages, breast milk supplies are decreasing today due to various factors ranging from personal, to societal, to diet and for various other reasons. Research conducted highlights some of these reasons below:

The perception of insufficient breast milk production is the most common reason mothers give for weaning or early introduction of solids or supplements.This is common when a baby appears in satiated and cries often as if the milk produced is not enough but we should realize that breastfeeding at least every two to three hours helps to maintain milk production.The more babies suck, the more milk production.

For some personal reasons, some mothers find it challenging engaging in breastfeeding in public. In my opinion, I feel any mother should be proud to show affection to their newborns through breastfeeding and never be ashamed.

Some women are concerned that breastfeeding will disrupt their normal activities of working, running errands, or traveling because of a breastfeeding schedule or a need to pump breast milk during the day.

A mother may not be able to produce breast milk because of a prolactin deficiency.

The more your baby nurses, the more milk your breasts produce because the composition of breast milk changes depending on how long the baby suckles at each session, as well as the age of the child. For most women, eight breastfeeding or pumping sessions every 24 hours keeps their milk production high. Separation from your baby or tight scheduled feedings can affect the supply and demand system of milk production.

Another reason why people get so hot and bothered about breastfeeding is because we invest in our lifestyles with so much importance these days. Breast surgery, such as a reduction or uplift, may affect mothers in having difficulty with supply if their milk ducts have been severed. For many women, the decision to breastfeed or formula feed is based on their comfort level, lifestyle, and specific medical considerations that they might have.

Women that go on restricted diets in an attempt to lose weight while they are nursing may be eating too few calories, which leaves them fatigued and without the energy necessary for optimal milk production. Malnourishment of the mother is a significant problem for women in developing countries, as malnourished women are often unable to produce breast milk

Stress can negatively affect milk production. Mothers need to exercise and learn to relax and rest a lot to enhance milk production. Smaller stresses that occur in our daily lives or at work can impact milk production. Ovulation, menstruation or pregnancy can all affect milk production. High level of stress, mental pressure, health fatigue can account for decrease in breastfeeding or durations of breastfeeding.

If breast milk is not pumped frequently, after a while there will be significant reduction. What causes milk production to stay the same or increase is adequate milk removal. If only a small amount of milk is removed from the breast, then milk production will decrease.

An attempt at taking birth control pills containing Estrogen can also affect milk production.

Another factor that affects milk production and breastfeeding management is mom's milk storage capacity.

Improper latch of the baby can affect milk production. Babies need to connect efficiently with the nipple to be able to get adequate milk supply.

A lot of women today sees the formula as an alternative way to feed their babies hence do not bother about breast feeding. Some even prefer to visit the breast milk bank and pay rather than subject themselves to the daily stress of expressing breast milk.

However, the best prescription for maximum milk production is effective and frequent breastfeeding or milk expression, plenty of fluids, adequate calories and good rest. There can be no milk if breastfeeding does not take place. Mothers should continually see the best side of breast feeding being beneficial for them, and also as a protective effect against breast and other cancers. Breast feeding is more than just food, it's a buffet.