When does milk come in? A guide to starting breastfeeding

When does milk come in? How to prepare for breastfeeding

Being prepared can help mothers feel calm and at ease when beginning their breastfeeding journey. Here are a few tips on how you can prepare for when milk comes in after birth:

• Schedule a breast check with a healthcare professional. This can be especially helpful for mums who have flat or inverted nipples, as it can help them learn what to expect from breastfeeding and any modifications they may need.

Tip: You should also establish a support team. This is a group of people to encourage you on this new breastfeeding journey. People to include are healthcare professionals, antenatal classes, a lactation consultant, apps, online communities and of course experienced friends and family members nearby. 

• Establish breastfeeding goals. Research shows breastfeeding goals help mothers stay on track and feel motivated about breastfeeding.
  
  
•  Create a feeding plan. Just like you have a birthing plan, a feeding plan can help parents get their health care professionals and support network ready and prepared. For example, educating family on how pumping and breastfeeding routines work can help them understand how they can help.
  
  
• Educate yourself on more than just the facts about when milk comes in after birth. Learning what to expect when you start breastfeeding will help you prepare for the journey. This includes knowing the answers to questions like, ‘when does breast milk start’ alongside:
  
  
  • How long a baby should feed, as some may be finished in 10 minutes, while others may take 30 minutes or more.
  • How to establish a good milk supply.
  • How to burp your baby correctly.
  • How and when to start expressing breast milk – especially if you are planning to return to work.

Tip: If you want to start combination feeding, whether you’re hoping to share the feeds with a partner or plan to return to work, invest in the right bottle. The Philips Avent Natural Bottle with Natural Response Teat supports your baby's own drinking rhythm to help them combine breastfeeding and bottle feeding with ease.

• Plan for skin-to-skin contact. Aim to have skin-to-skin contact in the first hour immediately after birth. This time is known as the ‘Golden Hour’ and it is a moment for you and your baby to bond, as well as to kick-start your newborn’s natural feeding instincts.
  
  
• Anticipate how breastfeeding may evolve as the baby grows. Learn more about how babies develop and how the breastfeeding journey will change to meet an infant’s growing needs.
  
  
• Make sure you have everything you need for a successful breastfeeding journey. One of the best ways to help make breastfeeding successful is to ensure that you are comfortable and relaxed. 
  
  

Ensure you have the right ambiance as well as the correct equipment. Start by positioning yourself on a couch, bed, or armchair with pillows for support; and get creative with your breastfeeding techniques through lighting preferences, soothing music or whatever relaxes you the most.

• You are learning and so is your baby. The key to success is to not expect too much too soon – you’re both learning. Position your baby with their nose opposite your nipple, and their head tipped back, to encourage them to open their mouth wide, and trust the process.

When does breast milk come in during pregnancy?

So, when do mothers start producing milk? Milk production actually begins during a woman’s pregnancy. In the time leading up to giving birth – sometimes weeks, or even months before¹ – the breasts are busy preparing to make milk and women often notice changes to their breasts. Some changes that indicate your body is getting ready for when milk comes in after birth include:²

• Tenderness and hypersensitivity 
• Increase in breast size
• Larger and darker nipples
• Raised bumps around the areola
• Darkened veins on breasts
• Leaking of colostrum

When do mothers start producing milk? A guide to how breast milk is made 

So, you know the symptoms of your body changing during pregnancy to prepare for breastmilk; but how exactly is breast milk made? Here is your guide to breastmilk production now you know the answer to ‘when does breast milk come in during pregnancy’:

• While the breasts are preparing to produce milk, there are two important hormones that are hard at work to make the milk: prolactin and oxytocin. 
• Prolactin is what makes the milk and is activated when the nipple or areola is stimulated. 
• Oxytocin ejects the milk and is activated by a baby’s sound, smell, or sucking. This is known as the let-down reflex.
• Throughout pregnancy, breast milk is usually suppressed by progesterone until the mother gives birth, at which time the prolactin kicks in. 

When does breast milk come in after birth? 

So, now you know the answer to, ‘when does breast milk come in during pregnancy’ and how breast milk is made, let’s look at what happens after birth. The first 36 to 72 hours play a large role in determining your milk supply, so it’s important to try to build it up during this time. 

Tip: Try to stimulate your breasts as much as possible after giving birth either by feeding frequently or using a breast pump. Consider these electric breast pumps that reduce expression time and has a soft silicone massage cushion that gently stimulates milk flow. 

A mother’s first milk will usually come in right after giving birth but will change in the weeks to follow. Below is a breakdown of how and when milk transitions after birth to help answer ‘when does breast milk start’:³

3. The mature milk 

Within about two weeks of birth, the mature milk starts to come in. This type of breast milk is usually produced in larger quantities, especially if your breasts are frequently stimulated. Mature milk varies in fat content from feed to feed and is exactly what babies need for the first six months of life.⁴  closely resembles the breast. The wide, breast-shaped teat with flexible spiral design and comfort petals allows natural latch on and makes it easy to combine breast and bottle feeding.