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Your babies Job is to make milk

Nurse Kates Lactation Lounge | Sep 27, 2022

Your baby helps you make milk by suckling and removing milk from your breast. The more milk your baby drinks, the more milk your body will make. Frequent breastfeeding / milk removal (10-12 times or more every 24 hours), especially in the first few days and weeks of your baby's life, helps you make a enough milk for your baby.Milk will continue to vary according to baby's needs. Each time baby feeds, your body knows to make more milk for the next feeding. An empty feeling breast signals the brain to make more milk. A full feeling breast signals the brain to reduce supply. The amount of milk you make will go up or down depending on how often your baby eats. By nursing for as often and as long as your baby wants, you are helping your body to make more milk. At first, it might feel like you are doing nothing but breastfeeding. Soon, you and your baby will get into a pattern that is more predictable. Its like learning to dance, sometimes you step on each-others feet at first, nut not soon after you are both moving in harmony with one another.PHASE 1: COLOSTRUM MILK

This is the thick first milk your breasts make while you are pregnant and just after birth. Moms and doctors may refer to it as "liquid gold" for its deep yellow color and because it is so valuable for your baby. Colostrum is very rich in nutrients and has antibodies to protect your baby from infections. Colostrum also helps your baby's digestive system grow and work well. PHASE 2: Transitional Milk

Transitional milk comes when mature breast milk gradually replaces colostrum. You will make transitional milk from 2-5 days after delivery . You may notice that your breasts become fuller and warmer and that your milk slowly changes to a bluish-white color. During this time, your breast milk changes to meet your baby's needs. Nursing often, removing milk well, and relieving engorgement will help with milk production. About 10-15 days after birth, you start making mature milk. Like each phase of breast milk, it has all the nutrients your baby needs. The amount of fat in mature milk changes as you feed your baby. Let your baby empty your first breast before switching to the other breast during a feeding. 

 

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