Do I Have Milk?

Feeding during those first hours and days is absolutely critical for many reasons. But does your body have milk to feed your baby during those first hours and days?  This is one of the most common questions and concerns that we hear from pregnant and new moms - and the answer is a resounding YES!  Your body will start to produce colostrum around 16 weeks gestation and colostrum is MILK!

Colostrum is the thick, yellowish fluid that is produced by the breasts beginning around 16 weeks and continuing through the first few days after childbirth. Colostrum is different from mature breast milk in terms of its composition and benefits, but it is the perfect nutrition source for your baby during those first hours and days. Colostrum is concentrated with nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals, which are crucial for the newborn's growth and development during the initial days of life. Colostrum also contains a high concentration of antibodies, white blood cells, and immune-boosting factors, helping the baby with passive immunity and offering protection against infections and diseases. As a natural laxative, colostrum also helps the baby pass that early stool from babies known as meconium.

While your body produces colostrum in much smaller quantities than it will eventually produce mature breast milk, your body is producing the perfect amount to satisfy the nutritional needs during those first few days of life until your body transitions to mature milk. This is even true when babies are born prematurely, as colostrum production is a gradual process, increasing as the pregnancy progresses, and our bodies will naturally produce the appropriate amount given our baby’s age.

As your newborn continues to nurse, your body will gradually and naturally transition from producing colostrum to larger volumes of mature breast milk.