Starting milk production: the first few days

Your breasts naturally prepare for breastfeeding throughout pregnancy (see Breasts). This preparation culminates at childbirth, when hormones send the signal to start milk production.

Whether you have small or large breasts, or long or short nipples, they are designed to produce milk and feed your baby. There is nothing you need to do to prepare your breasts for breastfeeding. Whether your baby arrives early, on time or late, you will have milk for them.

Colostrum: your first milk

The first few days after your baby’s birth are very important for initiating breastfeeding and starting milk production.

Your first milk (colostrum) is thick and yellowish in colour, and contains just what your newborn needs. You may feel like you’re not producing much milk, but when your baby nurses, they get small quantities that are ideally suited to their little stomach.

During this learning period, it’s normal for your baby to nurse very often. They were nourished constantly in your womb. As the days go by, your baby will get used to this new method of feeding

Breast stimulation

Stimulating the breasts by nursing at least 8 times every 24 hours helps get milk production off to a good start. It also helps prevent your breasts from getting engorged (see Painful breast). If your baby isn’t ready to nurse, you can stimulate your breasts by expressing milk manually or with a breast pump (see Producing a good supply of milk).

When your breast milk “comes in”

Between the second and fifth day after giving birth, milk production increases rapidly and the milk becomes clearer. This is known as having your milk “come in.” It is caused by hormonal changes and happens after you give birth, whether you breastfeed or not. For more information on this increase in milk production, see When your milk comes in.

The composition of human milk

The composition of human milk changes throughout the breastfeeding period to adapt to baby’s needs and age.

More than 200 components have been identified in human milk to date. It is made up of:

• Proteins, sugars, and all the fats babies need
• Omega 3 fatty acids that support brain and eye development
• The exact amount of vitamins and minerals babies that babies need to develop, with the exception of vitamin D (see Vitamin D: Not your ordinary vitamin!)
• Enzymes that facilitate digestion
• Antibodies that help babies fight infections and develop their immune system
• Good bacteria that will provide them with lifelong protection

Certain factors influence the composition and taste of breast milk (see What influences the composition of milk).