![]() How to express breast milk Delayed milk supply The amount of milk will continue to grow and increase in the first 10 to 14 days to meet your baby's needs. Frequent feeding and milk removal mean your breasts will make more milk. You will also notice an increase in breast fullness (engorgement) and breast milk volume.īreastfeeding works by supply and demand. Your breast milk will become lighter in colour, thinner and more watery than colostrum. This is commonly described as your 'milk coming in.' Mature breast milkĪround 72 hours after the birth, you will notice your breast milk changing. If you have breastfed before, your milk may come in sooner and you'll likely have colostrum in larger amounts. It also depends on the number of breastfeeds your baby has in the first 24 hours after birth. It is generally between 2ml and 20ml (millilitres) per breastfeed in the first 3 days. The volume of colostrum you will produce varies. You will be encouraged to collect colostrum for your baby as soon as possible (within 1 hour) after delivery, or as soon as you are able. Your nurse or midwife will help you to hand express and collect your colostrum for your baby. The smell of colostrum also has a calming effect on sick babies during painful hospital procedures.Ĭolostrum can be given to a premature baby using a cup or dropper. This is because it can protect their stomach and immune health which helps them to fight illness. If your baby is born sick or premature, your colostrum is especially important. ![]() It also has a laxative effect to encourage your baby's first poo.Įven though it's normal to only have a small amount, every drop of your colostrum has great health benefits for your baby for the rest of their life. Colostrum's main benefit is to prevent infection. It also contains compounds that feed the good bacteria and kill harmful bacteria and viruses. It has a lot of antioxidants and antibodies which can help keep your baby healthy.Ĭolostrum lines your baby's stomach with good bacteria. When compared with later or mature breast milk, colostrum has more:Ĭolostrum is sometimes called 'liquid gold' because of its importance and colour. It can make breastfeeding easier after your baby's birth. ![]() Learning to hand express and harvest colostrum can help you improve your breast milk supply. It can be yellow, white or clear in colour and is thicker than other fluids. The first milk that your breasts produce is called colostrum.
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