Understanding Breastfeeding + Milk Production
the first milk
‘The Golden Hours’
Colostrum is the first form of milk produced after childbirth, it is concentrated milk that is full of high protein, fat, nutrients & disease-fighting antibodies that kickstart the baby's immune system. It provides everything that the baby needs in the early days after birth.
It's thick & a golden yellow colour & as its very concentrated food, your baby will only need about a teaspoonful, at each feed as your baby’s stomach is very small at birth. Some women choose to freeze it, if they are producing more than they can feed the baby. It means the colostrum can be fed to babe for longer with more antibodies & nutrition, especially now allergies are becoming increasingly popular in this forever ‘clean’ world. It can also be frozen for up to 6 months.
Colostrum is produced in the breasts mid pregnancy, around weeks 16-22, so it is ready for straight after labour.
Some mothers choose to express colostrum while still pregnant, which can be useful if the birth doesn’t go to plan and mum can’t feed straight away.
I would recommend discussing this with your midwife or doula.
The average colostrum intake:
2-10 mL per feeding in the first 24 hours
30-60 mL per feed by the end of day 3
MATURE MILK
The change from Colostrum to ‘Mature’ milk will take place around days 2 and 5 days after birth & the delivery of the placenta , it varies with every woman of course.
Signs that your milk is coming in:
Breast fullness, swelling, heaviness, warmth, engorgement, tingling
Change in baby’s feeding patterns and behavior at the breast
Leaking milk - The milk begins its gradual change in appearance from the thicker golden colostrum to the thinner, whiter mature milk
When your mature milk comes in, the more you breastfeed, the more your baby's sucking will stimulate your supply and the more milk you'll make.
WHAT IS BREAST MILK MADE OF?
Millions of live cells, including immune-boosting white blood cells & stem cells which help organs develop and heal.
More than 1,000 proteins that help baby grow and develop, activate the immune system, and develop and protect neurons in the brain.
There are more than 20 compounds in breastmilk, such as nucleotides which increase at night and help to induce sleep.
Over 200 complex sugars called oligosaccharides that act as prebiotics, feeding ‘good bacteria’ in the baby’s gut. These sugars prevent infections entering the bloodstream and lower the risk of brain inflammation.
More than 40 enzymes. Enzymes are catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body. The ones in breastmilk have roles in the body such as aiding baby’s digestion and immune system, as well as helping absorption of iron.
Growth factors that support healthy development. These affect many parts of the baby’s body, including the intestines, blood vessels, nervous system, and the glands, which secrete hormones.
Breast milk contains hormones which regulate baby’s appetite, sleep patterns, and aid the bond between you (Oxytocin).
Full of Vitamins and Minerals that support healthy growth and organ function, as well as help build baby’s teeth, bones, hair & nails.
Antibodies (immunoglobulins) the five basic forms of antibodies found in breastmilk.They protect baby against illnesses and infections by neutralising bacteria and viruses.
Long-chain fatty acids which play a pivotal part in building baby’s nervous system, as well as aid healthy brain and eye development.
1,400 microRNAs, which are thought to regulate gene expression, as well as help prevent or halt disease development, support baby’s immune system, and play a role in remodelling the breast.
‘REMEMBER, IT TAKES TIME TO LEARN TO BREASTFEED, its a practice, it take on average 3 months’.
breastfeeding
When mother and baby finally find a rhythm, breastfeeding can provide some incredibly intimate moments. For most new mothers, it takes time & patience to learn to breastfeed which we’re not often told.
It is instinctual and natural but with the world we live in sometimes these things don't always come with ease. Women who are especially very critical of themselves and anxious can take longer, be kind to yourself, go slow and remember babies are born to instinctively latch onto the breast, let them come to you, take deep breaths and try to ease into it.
Avoid comparing yourself to other mothers, we all go at a different pace, ask for help when you need it and don’t quit breastfeeding straight away, most likely there will be difficult days.
Approach it like you're learning a new hobby, there will be days when you feel as if you’re failing miserably, but with each time you try you are getting better at it and your babe will thank you.
What can cause delayed/poor lactation?
New mothers
Tend to have milk come in about a day later than mothers who have nursed before.
BUT KNOW, for some new mothers it can take days. Trust your body. Avoid bottle feeding straight away as this can affect how the baby latches to the nipple.
Labour
Stressful, exhausting, or traumatic vaginal birth
Pain medications during labour, regardless of delivery method
Large amounts of IV fluid during labor
Cesarean section, which may be due to the stress of surgery and medications delaying breastfeeding
A long pushing stage during birth
Blood loss - more than 500 ml (drink Nettle during pregnancy for building blood in the body)
Retained placenta or anything that affects placental function. *If there is a retained placenta, the milk will typically come in normally once the placenta is removed.
Mothers Health
The mother's hormones or her response to hormones, including insulin resistance, unstable or poorly controlled type 1 diabetes, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), hypothyroidism or pituitary issues including Sheehan’s Syndrome, hypertension, gestational ovarian theca lutein cysts.
Medications, such as certain types of antidepressants can stop milk supply
High stress levels
Not enough nutrient dense foods
Mothers breast health
Medication that decreases milk production in the early days, including hormonal birth control.
Preterm birth, which may cut short the breast growth of late pregnancy, resulting in less milk producing tissue at birth, however, good breastfeeding management will result in breast growth continuing after birth
Underdeveloped breasts
Breast surgery or injury may remove/damage breast tissue or nerves that interfere with milk expression
Nipple anatomy, flat or inverted nipples, or a nipple piercing may interfere with milk transfer to babe
If the mother falls Ill in the early days after labour, may affect milk expression from the breasts.
Obesity
A decreased prolactin response to breastfeeding
Or increased body mass affecting breast development during puberty.
RECIPES TO BRING ON MILK SUPPLY
MOTHERS MILK TEA
1 cup hot filtered water
1 tsp Nettle
1/2 tsp Fennel
1/2 tsp Chamomile
1/4 tsp Lavender (small pinch of lavender as its strong)
MOTHER MILK CHAI
1 cup Coconut Milk or Raw Cows Milk
1 tsp Shatavari powder
Pinch of Cinnamon, Ginger, Cardamon powder
1 tsp of Raw Wild Honey
HERBS FOR BREASTMILK PRODUCTION
Galega/Goats rue
Borago/Borage
Fennel
Fenugreek
Althaea/Marshmallow leaf
Nigella/Black cumin seed
Avena/Oat straw
Raspberry leaf
Shatavari
Urtica/Nettle leaf
Verbena/Vervain
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