No matter where you may be on your breastfeeding journey, there’s one topic that comes up over and over again, and is a source of stress and preoccupation for so many mamas. You guessed it – this topic is MILK SUPPLY.
…Will my milk come in?
…How can I tell if my baby is getting enough?
…Can I skip feedings without affecting my supply?
…How can I increase my supply?
…What if I have an oversupply?
These questions come up time and time again, and unfortunately, while there are many resources out there, there is also a lot of outdated and inaccurate information. This is the first of a series of posts talking about the basics of milk supply, where we’ll delve into some of the most common questions.
What does a “normal” milk supply look like?
First of all, there is no real “normal” in anything related to lactation, as every woman’s body is slightly different. There is a typical progression, though, in how milk production happens for most women – we’ll talk elsewhere about some of the most common situations that might make this not the case.
Prenatal
Throughout pregnancy, most women will notice some breast changes. Soreness, increase in size, and more sensitive nipples are all common symptoms. Some women will notice some leaking of yellow colostrum during the third trimester, but this is not at all an indicator of what your milk supply will be later on.
The first days postpartum
The first milk your body produces for your baby is colostrum, a thick yellow liquid packed with rich fats and nutrients for the newborn’s first days. Because colostrum is so nutrient dense, it is only produced in very small amounts, which can make it easy to wonder if your baby is actually getting enough. A newborn’s stomach is very small, and while your newborn baby will need to nurse very frequently, they won’t be taking in a large volume at once and that’s ok! The best indicator of getting enough to eat is wet diapers – if baby is peeing frequently, they’re taking in enough! If you do have concerns about their intake, a lactation consultant can help you do a weighted feed, weighing baby before and after feeding with a very sensitive scale, to see exactly how much milk baby took in during the feeding. It’s normal for baby to lose a little bit of weight in the first 24 hours after birth, as they adjust and start to eat, but generally, we don’t like to see baby lose more than 7% of their birth weight so your pediatrician will be paying attention to this. Some babies can take a while to figure out latching effectively – especially if they are premature at all – so in some cases hand-expressing colostrum and giving it in a syringe can be a good option.
The first week
Anywhere between 2-6 days postpartum is typically when your breastmilk transitions from colostrum to mature breastmilk. This is what most people refer to as your milk “coming in”. Hormones in these first days trigger your body to ramp up the volume of milk produced, so many mamas will notice their breasts becoming full, warm and hard, with more easily expressed milk – that sometimes leaks out on it’s own, especially when your baby cries! The milk itself changes from the thick yellow colostrum to a whiter, more watery-appearing liquid. Over the next few weeks, your body will begin to regulate the amount of milk to just what your baby needs, but in the beginning it is easy for your breasts to become uncomfortably full (referred to as engorgement). It’s important to keep emptying them consistently, whether by breastfeeding or pumping, to prevent clogged ducts from forming. During this time, your body is learning how much milk your baby needs. The more that is taken out, the more it will produce. Sometimes it can feel like baby never stops eating in those early days – most babies will eat at least 8-12 times a day! – but that’s because it’s their job to stimulate that milk production!
As always, if you are starting out your breastfeeding journey and are struggling at any of these points, please seek out a lactation consultant or support group early. They can help troubleshoot any issues, as well as reassure you about what’s normal!
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article sponsered by Northern Michigan certified lactation consulting and Mother Hubbards Country Cupboard
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