Does Breast Milk Change?

Breast milk is a complex mix, specially designed to meet all the nutritional needs of the baby at the beginning of his life. It contains a perfect balance of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals needed by the child for its healthy growth and development. Each of these components has a specific role.

More information about the composition of breast milk can be found in the topics:

• "What does breast milk contain?";
• "Is breast milk sterile?";
• "No non-breast milk."

Breast milk undergoes a number of changes. It changes throughout the period of breastfeeding - during the day (from morning to evening); during breastfeeding itself; from the food the mother consumes and from the specific needs of the baby.

Are different types of milk produced?

Most would answer this question with "YES" - colostrum and mature milk, which in turn is "front and back milk". But, the answer is actually wrong. Only one type of milk is produced - breast milk. It is denoted by different names due to features that are established in its composition in different periods of feeding and growth of the baby.

The first milk that a pregnant or newborn woman produces is called colostrum. It is a thick, golden liquid that contains everything a baby needs (high in carbohydrates, protein, antibodies and low in fat). As colostrum is rich in nutrients, it is secreted in small amounts (suitable for small stomachs of newborns) and is extremely easy to digest. It also helps the baby's first bowel movements, and thus the release of excess bilirubin (thus helping to prevent jaundice). Colostrum actually works as a natural and 100% safe vaccine.

Early and frequent breastfeeding stimulates the production of so-called mature milk to begin 3-4 days after birth. Therefore, in these first few days it is necessary to breastfeed the baby between 8 and 12 times a day. Thus, the colostrum gradually passes into mature milk. It is less concentrated and is secreted in larger quantities.

How do you know this is happening?

Breastfeeding women will feel that around the third day after giving birth, their breasts begin to become heavier and larger. This is a signal that milk production has begun. Sometimes it takes longer, especially if the baby is born prematurely or by caesarean section.

Frequent breastfeeding is what signals the body to produce milk, so some babies (especially premature babies) who are more sleepy need more encouragement to suckle to maintain lactation.

The composition of breast milk changes over the course of one feed depending on the time between feedings and how much milk the baby has expressed during the last feeding.

Generally speaking, at the beginning of the feeding the baby consumes "front milk", which is lighter in color (bluish), watery and aims to satisfy his thirst. Then the milk gradually becomes richer in fat and creamy - "back milk". It looks condensed.

The difference between "front and back milk" is in the composition of fats. During the production of milk, fats have the ability to adhere to the walls of the milk ducts, while the more watery part of the milk descends to the nipple. In this regard, the flow of milk at the moment when the baby sucks (the first rapid flow), it contains less fat. Gradually, as the flow decreases, the fat begins to peel off the walls of the tubules and drain from the baby. This is a step-by-step process in which a very sharp boundary cannot be established.

Does the taste of breast milk change?

The taste of breast milk varies - the effect of the food that a breastfeeding woman consumes and the individual periods of the day. The general opinion is that breast milk has a sweet taste and a vanilla-like aroma. During different parts of the day, the taste of breast milk changes due to the different composition of fat, which varies depending on how much time has elapsed between feedings and how much the baby has emptied (sucked) the breast during the last breastfeeding.

It is possible that the food you eat will affect the taste of the milk. Therefore, if you notice that the baby is restless (often breastfeeds, cries) when you breastfeed him after consuming a certain food, it is best to refrain from it. It usually takes between 2 and 6 hours for the food you eat to affect breast milk.

Do women produce different milk?

Breast milk is essentially the same in every woman, but there are a number of factors that affect its production:

• the food that the mother consumes and the amount of fluids she ingests - it is desirable for breastfeeding women to eat healthy food and about 1.5 - 2 liters of fluids. Moderate caffeine will not be a problem for the baby;
• physical activity on the part of the mother - it is good during the period of breastfeeding the physical loads (exercises) to be lighter. It is best to be as they were in the first months of pregnancy;
• the time between the individual feedings of the baby and the duration of breastfeeding - this affects the fat component in breast milk;
• baby's age - as the baby grows, his nutritional needs change, and with them the composition of breast milk.