Milk come in. Between two to five days after birth, most women notice their breast milk “coming in.” This surge of transitional milk is greater in volume and different in composition than colostrum.
At around 16 weeks of pregnancy, your body begins producing colostrum (which you perhaps noticed leaking from your breasts in the second or third trimester). This thick, yellowish, highly concentrated substance is, in fact, breast milk – and it provides your baby’s meals in the first days of life. Rich in antibodies, antioxidants, protein, and minerals, just a teaspoon or two of colostrum per feeding is enough to boost your baby’s immune system and provide them with all the nutrition and liquids they need.
Starting a few days after birth, you’ll know your milk is coming in as your breasts begin making greater volumes of a creamier liquid known as transitional milk. About two weeks after giving birth, mature milk – which is initially waterier and bluish in color – replaces transitional milk.
Signs your milk come in
Wondering if your breast milk is coming in? Look for these signs:
- Your breasts feel larger, firmer, warmer, and heavier
- You may have breast discomfort due to engorgement
- Your baby may have a harder time latching on to feed
- You may notice a tingly pins-and-needles sensation as your baby begins to feed, which means your letdown reflex is helping to push milk out of your breast
- Once your milk has started coming in, your baby will drink more at each feeding (you’ll hear and see your baby swallowing in long, rhythmic, suck-and-swallow patterns)
- Your milk will become creamier in texture and increasingly bluish-white in color
With second or later babies, you may notice that you produce significantly more milk in the first week after giving birth than you did with your first baby – likely because your body “remembers” what it’s doing.
Before your milk comes in, your baby drinks colostrum. While it may not seem like much, it’s everything your baby needs. The best way to encourage your milk come in is to continue breastfeeding your newborn frequently – at least every two to three hours, including throughout the night.
Reasons it may take longer for your milk come in
For some women, it may take up to two weeks for milk come in. This may be due to a number of factors, including:
- Cesarean delivery
- Excessive blood loss during or after delivery
- Extreme stress
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Thyroid conditions
- Some illnesses or infections
- Prolonged bed rest during pregnancy
If you’re concerned that your milk hasn’t yet come in, talk to your doctor or your baby’s doctor.
What to do after your milk comes in
Once your milk is in, it’s very important to keep breastfeeding your baby often. That’s because early and frequent nursing – especially in the first few weeks and particularly overnight – increases your breasts’ production of the hormone prolactin, which helps ensure an abundant and robust milk supply.
The more often you feed your baby, the better your milk supply will be. Feed your baby on demand, which is usually every one and a half to three hours for the first several weeks (and may be as often as every 30 minutes if your baby is cluster feeding). Expect each breastfeeding session to last up to 20 minutes and possibly longer.
This demanding schedule can be quite challenging, especially since you’ll need to wake your baby to eat if it’s been more than four hours since their last feeding in the first two weeks after birth. What’s more, breastfeeding problems such as difficulty latching, sore and cracked nipples, and postpartum cramping are common and can make the beginning of your breastfeeding journey very difficult.
Hang in there, and know that you’re not alone. If you’re struggling with breastfeeding for any reason, talk to your doctor or another medical professional you trust. They can often help troubleshoot issues or refer you to a lactation consultant, who can be an absolute life-saver in these early weeks.
Read more about
Add a Comment