04/05/2024
Colostrum
Countless posts. Comments. Questions. Doubts. “My milk just didn’t come in so I had to supplement on day 2.”
Usually this is someone who was misled, perhaps accidentally, into thinking they were not producing milk already. You ARE.
1. Milk is made from your blood - some minerals and vitamins are higher or lower based on diet, but even in less than ideal scenarios, your body can sustain your baby.
2. Colostrum IS the milk your newborn needs! Your body is already producing it! I can’t tell you the number of times mothers feel they need to supplement with formula because no one told them that mature milk takes time (+ hormones + FREQUENT milk removal) to come in. It’s thick, sticky, clear-ish or tinged yellow/gold. And you can collect your colostrum at ~36 weeks to store for any potential birth emergencies or separation.
3. Your mature milk (the white creamy stuff we usually think of) comes in between days 2 and 6. Usually I see this happen around day 3, but stress, effective milk removal (and often), genetics, and birth interventions all can impact when this happens. The KEY is to nurse on demand, 8-12 or more times per day, especially at night and in the early morning hours.
Not knowing these things is what keeps women doubting themselves, and the whispers of “you can’t do this” come in. Get informed. Get educated. Take my class. Go to a La League League support group. Get a consult with an IBCLC. And don’t forget - COLOSTRUM IS MILK!
*glandular insufficiency, past trauma, mental or physical health challenges for mom or baby are all real things - this post is addressing situations where breastfeeding IS possible and desired!
Were you given formula before day 4?
