Get ready to embark on the greatest adventure of your life, motherhood! With your baby’s arrival just around the corner, it isn’t easy to contain the excitement. Like most mama’s you probably feel like you are about to burst with joy. If you are anything like me, you are busy making sure everything is perfect for the newest addition to your precious family. Whether you are creating a unique, one-of-a-kind nursery, nesting the ideal space for your baby, or taking birthing classes to prepare your body to deliver a tiny human, one thing is for sure, you are busy preparing for this beautiful new journey one way or another.
As a current mom to three busy boys, one thing I wish I had been more educated on after the delivery of my first is: What to expect when breast milk comes in.
It is vitally important that moms who are serious about breastfeeding are prepared for every stage of the milk-making journey, from colostrum to engorgement, leaking breasts, and frequent feedings. I can attest that if you are unprepared for this stage of breastfeeding, it can be a very overwhelming start to your journey.
Colostrum
During the very first stage of milk coming in, you will be feeding your baby colostrum. This gold, liquid substance is packed with nutrients and antibodies that are essential during your baby’s first minutes, hours, and days of life. Colostrum is rich in vitamins and proteins. Your body only creates colostrum during pregnancy and the first few days after delivery. Because it is so rich in nutrients, it does not need to be produced in large amounts like term breast milk to satisfy nutritional needs.
If your baby is having difficulty latching at first, pumping while the baby would typically be nursing can help to stimulate good milk production. It does not hurt to have a little bit of colostrum stored as well, like we discussed earlier it is essential for your baby’s health.
Feeding in the first 24-48 hours
During the first 24 hours of your precious new arrival life, your breastfed baby will be feeding frequently. On average, you can expect that your baby will need to eat 8-12 times in the first 24-hour period. Some babies may want to latch on as often as every hour. According to a feeding chart on my.clevelandclinic.org, breastfed babies typically consume 2-10 milliliters in the first 24 hours and 5-15 milliliters in hours 24-48.
These first and frequent latches are vitally important to your breastfeeding success. But if you have already surpassed this time frame, it’s OK to go back and mimic these first days with lots of skin to skin and frequent feedings to increase supply.
Engorgement
Around day three to five after delivery you may experience breast engorgement. Luckily, for most, this stage is only temporary. Typically lasting 24-72 hours, engorgement happens when the breast becomes overly full. This is especially common in the first weeks after birth when there is extra blood, tissue, and milk supply in the breasts. Engorgement can also happen if your baby feeds less frequently than usual. Insignificant breast drainage and a poor latch can also be a factor as well. The most efficient way to prevent becoming too engorged is to feed your baby frequently, allowing the breast to empty more often.
If you suspect there is a functional issue with your baby’s latch, you should consult with your local International Board Certified Lactation Consultant to address and help correct the issue as quickly as possible.
If engorgement is making it difficult to feed your baby here are some tips:
- Use a warm compress on the breast when you know it is almost time to feed. This can relieve pain and naturally assist with a better letdown.
- Use ice packs between feeds to relieve inflammation.
- Massage from the chest wall toward the nipple and hand express milk, this may help milk and other fluids in the breast (lymph fluid) to flow. Do not apply more pressure than you would when applying cream to the skin or stroking a pet. A deep or vigorous massage could traumatize the breast and worsen engorgement.
- In between feeds, make sure you are wearing a supportive bra, so that there is no constant leaking, which will help prevent oversupply.
Additionally, I advise against pumping to relieve engorgement in the earlier stages of breastfeeding. Pumping in combination with breastfeeding can lead to an oversupply of breast milk and can create a long-term issue if you are not careful.
Discomfort Remedies
You may find that during the early weeks, you are experiencing a lot of pain. Compatible painkillers or anti-inflammatory medications will help with pain and inflammation.
Natural anti-inflammatory herbs consist of ginger and turmeric. It is important to follow an anti-inflammatory diet, including these foods:
- Tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collards
- Almonds and Walnuts
- Fatty fish like Salmon, Mackerel, Tuna and Sardines
- Fruits such as Strawberries, Blueberries, Cherries and Oranges
Although your milk “coming in” is one of the challenging stages of the breastfeeding journey, it is worth pushing through! There are many additional resources and tips to help through the first weeks. If you find you need further support, do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with your local IBCLC for individual care, tailored to you and your baby’s unique needs.
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