In the first weeks of breastfeeding, milk is produced in the mother’s breast through a demand and supply mechanism, so that the mother develops the breast infrastructure for milk production and produces milk in accordance with the latch and milk transfer stimulus. But this does not happen over-night, it is a process. In accordance with the information received in these first two weeks of breastfeeding, milk production infrastructure in the breast is adjusted to produce an appropriate amount also longer term in the third stage of breastfeeding (from the age of several weeks).
Due to the adjustment of the milk production capacity according to the initial conditions, the management of breastfeeding in the first days may greatly affect the continuation of breastfeeding and in some cases even directly affect the success of exclusive breastfeeding for the entire recommended period.
So, these first weeks after birth are a unique window of opportunity.
We created a series to support your knowledge on breastfeeding establishment for good milk supply- prenatally, in the first days after birth, and at home after hospital stay. You can also get the full guide PDF to your mailbox. This part focus on setting expectation, learning the basics, and focus on hand expression and skin to skin contact.
"Mothers need accurate, careful guidance in milk supply calibration for the critical sensitive period during the first 2 weeks postpartum. Failure to stimulate sufficiently during this phase may prevent these mothers from establishing adequate lactation"
Wilson-Clay & Hoover, 2013
Prepare yourself for breastfeeding.
Prepare yourself and your partner for breastfeeding. You can read books, attend online courses and groups, or consult with qualified breastfeeding consultants. The first days after birth are very emotional and sometimes physically busy, and it is important to come prepared. Breastfeeding, although natural and wonderful, is a process that requires learning by both you and your baby, and also requires determination. Cheer up. Breastfeeding is a gift of life that you can give to your baby and yourself. It’s worth the effort. And early efforts pays off by making things easier in the longer term.
Get familiar with your breasts
While your baby is growing inside you, your breasts undergo changes as part of the preparation for breastfeeding. The breasts get bigger, they may itch, become sensitive to touch or swollen. All of these are normal indicators that your body is preparing for milk production. There is usually no special need for you to do anything to prepare your breasts for breastfeeding. There is no need to wash or rinse the breast too much. The areola may seem covered in a fatty layer, It is a natural process that aims to prepare the breast for breastfeeding. Getting familiar with touching your breast and areola areas may make this touch more natural for you after birth.
In case your breasts do not change during pregnancy, this does not necessarily indicate future breastfeeding problems, but it is important that you share this information with a breastfeeding professional.
Some women start having some colostrum leaking already during pregnancy, this is a normal phenomenon, but it is also completely normal to have no leaks at all.
Flat and inverted nipples. In the case of non-protruding nipples, it is important that you are familiar with the options for assisting the nipple out. Some mothers with flat or inverted nipples don’t seem to have any problems with breastfeeding, but others do, so early information and preparation will better prepare you for dealing with possible challenges.
Ointments. Prepare in advance, before giving birth in the hospital, with measures for preventing and treating nipple pain. Lanolin-based ointments are designed to prevent dehydration and cracks and also prevent nipple adhesion to nursing pads, and there is no need to wash these type of ointments before latching.
What to expect
"The more you breastfeed, and the more efficient each feed is, the more milk will be produced. Scheduling feeds, use of formula supplements, pacifiers use and other factors that reduce the time the baby spends feeding at the breast may inhibit milk production."
Wambach & Riordan, 2016
In the first days, your breasts produce colostrum, this is milk that is produced in the breasts starting from the third trimester of pregnancy. It is a condensed milk that contains a variety of protective immune components. Its amount in each meal is small – a few milliliters, according on the baby’s stomach, and its color is creamy-yellow, and can range from clear and transparent fluid to bluish-white.
Usually between the third day after birth (72 hours) and the fifth day the milk undergoes a visual change from colostrum to transition milk which is whiter, indicating the maturation process of the breast tissue and a transition to milk production (the professional name of the process is Lactogenesis II). The transition from colostrum to transitional milk is accompanied by an increase in the amount of milk, from a volume of less than 100 ml per day to an average of 400-600 ml per day on the fourth day after birth. This passage is commonly called the “milk coming in”. The transition is a critical stage in the normal progress of breastfeeding, which indicates the maturation of the breast to produce milk in increasing volumes.
The dynamic of this process is greatly affected by the baby’s suckling efficiency and the frequency of breast emptying. When the stimulus for milk production takes place properly, the body receives the right signals about the potential milk production needs. The more you breastfeed and the more milk is excreted from the breast, you will notice how the milk volumes increases (and you will be able to see your baby take noticeable swallows), and how the color of the milk becomes gradually more bluish-white, which is the color of the transition milk and mature milk in the first few weeks.
Research show that the earlier the milk coming in, the better are the chances for good milk supply and successful any and exclusive breastfeeding at several months after birth.
Why hand expression is such a powerful tool, and why it is a good idea to be familiar with hand expression, even before birth.
👌🏼 Colostrum collection. In the first hours and days after birth (in some cases even before birth) you may need to hand express and collect colostrum for feeding your baby, this may be needed in case of separation between mother and baby, if the baby is sleepy, in late pre-term babies, in cases of low glucose or Jaundice, and after a C section. Hand expressing colostrum and milk in the first days may actually be more productive than breast pumping.
👌🏼 Frequent hand milk expression between feeds on the first hours and days postpartum was shown by research to be A VERY EFFECTIVE METHOD TO improve milk volumes, enhance milk coming in and improve baby’s weight gain, and improve overall breastfeeding success. Don’t worry about inducing over-supply at this early stage. Take advantage of this great early hack for improved supply
Accessibility – your hands are always there for you, in the delivery room, at the ward, at home after discharge, in the shower.
👌🏼 Hand milk expression can be an efficient way to reduce breast engorgement and prevent milk stasis, therefore helping prevent breast inflammation.
👌🏼 Hands on breastfeeding/pumping – Hand expression and breast compressions can be used during pumping/feeding to enhance milk flow, and to encourage a sleepy baby to feed more efficiently.
👌🏼 Hand expression right after a breastfeeding/pumping session is an efficient way to fully empty the breast after breastfeeding or pumping. When used frequently, this is also a recommended method for enhancing milk supply (no need to worry about inducing over-supply in the early days).
👌🏼 Hand expression done correctly should not be painful. It may take several trials to get comfortable. Don’t expect more than a few drops initially, it is OK! It improves with time and with practice.
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