Breastfeeding Myth

Women may think that before their milk “comes in” around day 3-4, that their baby will not be receiving enough milk from the breast. This is not correct as your breasts will start to produce colostrum from around 16 weeks of pregnancy.

Women may think that before their milk “comes in” around day 3-4, that their baby will not be receiving enough milk from the breast. This is not correct as your breasts will start to produce colostrum from around 16 weeks of pregnancy. While you may not leak colostrum or have wet patches on your clothing during pregnancy, you may however find that a few drops come out if you hand to express. Ask your midwife/lactation consultant to show you how to do it. After birth, breasts will have this colostrum in them which is commonly a thick yellow substance and is low in volume.

Healthy full-term babies are born with a good layer of fat so they can withstand the first few days when the colostrum supply is in smaller quantities. This does however encourage them to feed more!

The first 24 hours after birth, you may find that your baby only feeds a handful of times as they recover and sleep. Usually having a very long feed shortly after birth and then a good few hours of sleep!

By day 3-4, the colostrum changes to what is often called ‘full milk’. It’s white and increases in volume. You may feel your breasts are engorged at this time as your body is trying to work out how much milk to produce for your baby and it may last a couple of weeks. 

Factors that can delay milk coming in: Postpartum haemorrhage, dehydration, stress, poor attachment/positioning, not breastfeeding regularly enough to encourage milk supply ie replacing breastfeeds for formula in a bottle during the night.

Whilst you are in the hospital and in the first few weeks post birth, I highly recommend enlisting the support of your midwife/ lactation consultant to make sure baby is latched on correctly. Your midwife will also monitor the baby’s weight, nappies and general well being.