Breastfeeding: Milk Production

Milk Production After Delivery
​Mothers produce colostrum for the first few days after delivery (not breastmilk). Colostrum is a yellow fluid that contains all the essential nutrients and antibodies for the baby's first few days of life.

Two to five days after delivery, milk production begins. At this time, the breast fluid will turn whitish and breasts may become heavy and tender, sometimes even lumpy.

In order to produce milk it is necessary to:

1. Nurse frequently.
   In order for your baby to gain weight, they need to nurse 8-12 times a day in the early weeks.
   
   Normal full-term babies may lose up to 10% of the birth weight in the first four days, regaining the birth weight by the two week visit at the rate of 1-2 ounces of weight gain per day. During the day, wake your baby to feed every two to three hours or on demand, whenever your baby is fussy. Count the interval from the beginning of one feeding to the beginning of the next feeding. If your baby cries and less than two hours have passed, try rocking him or carrying her in a sling. Babies may have periods of rapid growth during which feedings may be as often as every 1-2 hours (cluster feeds). Night feeds should initially be every 3-4 hours. Once we have confirmed that weight gain is established, you needn’t wake the baby at night to feed. Your baby’s sucking stimulates milk production and you must feed frequently, “on demand,” the first few weeks of life. A feeding schedule will usually start to form by four months of age.
   
   
2. Drink plenty of fluids.
   Drink at least double your normal intake.
   
   Rule of thumb: drink a large glass of water with each nursing (about 2 quarts per day)
   
   
3. Eat a healthy diet.
   - Make sure to consume 1200mg of calcium and 400IU of phosphorus and vitamin D daily.
   
   We recommend mothers take a calcium supplement equivalent to 1200mg of elemental calcium per day and to continue taking your prenatal vitamins or a multi-vitamin.
   
   Occasionally, certain foods (for example, chocolate, cabbage, garlic, citrus and spicy foods) may cause problems for your baby such as gassiness or upset stomach. If so, simply eliminate these foods from your diet as you recognize them.
   
   Milk and milk products should be minimized in the mother’s diet as they can give the baby colitis. Caffeine, beer or wine in moderation and sushi may be reintroduced into the mother’s diet.
   
   
4. Relax both physically and mentally.
   Stress and fatigue can hinder milk production. It is very important to arrange for plenty of rest between feedings, especially in the first few weeks. Newborns generally do not sleep long periods of time and you will not have long rest periods until your baby grows and sleeps longer hours. Try to sleep when the baby sleeps.