Despite the painful breastfeeding challenges that a woman encounter, it is no doubt that breastfeeding is such a wonderful and natural occurrence that mothers will experience right after giving birth to their babies. Imagine how amazing a woman’s body is? A woman produces milk glands in them which are actually present in the entire pregnancy months. Breast milk is considered to be the safest food you can feed to your baby, and this production of milk actually starts as soon as the woman gets pregnant and would start to come out three to five days after the baby is born.
When a woman is pregnant, hormones actually play a vital role in pregnancy and milk making. During the progress of the pregnancy, hormonal processes actually rise, and this roots the mammary glands to create milk. Don’t worry, these changes are all just preparation for breastfeeding. If you are curious and at the same time excited about when will you perform breastfeeding for your babies? This article will answer the questions that had been bothering you since. Take time to read and understand. This is a big help when the time comes.
When do pregnant women produce milk?
Normally, it would take months or even weeks before your due delivery date for you to produce breast milk. Milk making starts around the borderline of pregnancy. There are signs actually that indicate that a pregnant woman has started producing milk and that sign is their breasts will become fuller and heavier, and worse, may even hurt sometimes. For a first time mother, it would take about three to four days after giving birth for their milk to come.
If the pregnant woman is in the second trimester, their breasts start to create colostrum. This is actually the very first food the breast of a woman produces for the baby. It is yellowish and usually thick which contains high amounts of antibodies and proteins to make the baby’s immune system stronger.
During this colostrum phase, some women’s breast milk may outflow. But there is no need to worry because it is actually normal for mothers. Between three to five days upon delivery, the breasts of a mother will experience changes. It is where mature milk has been replaced by colostrum. If your baby is around 2-3 weeks old, your breasts will only be producing matured breast milk.
Does a pregnant woman produce enough colostrum?
Colostrum is a yellowish liquid that when touched, feels thick. Every pregnant woman’s body is unique, colostrum might actually come depending on a woman’s body. It might originate from the breasts anytime since the second trimester until after delivery of the baby.
How to be aware that a baby is getting enough milk
As a parent, you need to show empathy to your baby’s situation because she really can’t speak on their own. So how can you tell that your baby is contented with the amount of milk you are feeding them?
There are ways to detect if your baby is hungry and wants to be fed. Be aware of these signs that your baby is doing.
- Your baby is keeping on stretching
- Keeps on thumb-sucking or suck whatever is near to them
- Making sounds such as sucking
If you are done feeding your baby and he or she still keeps on crying and shows hungriness all the time regardless of the breastfeeding you did, then you may be experiencing low production of milk.
Take a look at these signs that your milk production is actually low:
- The stool of your baby may appear tiny after how many days
- Your baby will lose his or her weight abruptly
- The urine of your baby may appear darker in color
- After nursing, your breasts remain steady
If you are experiencing one of these signs which are really normal to be worried, you can talk directly to a lactation consultant or your healthcare provider to figure things out. This is a serious issue because your baby is not getting sufficient nutrients no matter how much you feed them.
Reasons why coming out of milk is delayed
Women have a different body which actually affects the coming out of milk. Here are some reasons why there is a delay in the production of milk.
- Stress: Pregnant women just had a tiring experience
- Incomplete Removal of Placenta: If the placenta is not ejected properly, then the progesterone stays high. Due to this, milk production may not be released yet
- Pain while Medicating: The pre-natal medicines or prescribed medicines by the doctors may actually cause a delay in the coming out of milk.
Possible risks for lactation delay                       Â
Not to bother the pregnant mother but these are some of the factors that need to be taken seriously when the lactation is delayed. By knowing these, you can actually know earlier and you can be aware of this already.
- Blood Loss; Hemorrhage while giving birth to a child may affect the pituitary gland which controls the hormones for lactation
- Premature Birth; Your body may need more time to develop the mammary glands if your baby was born prematurely. Because of this, it may take a while for the milk to catch up.
What to do when milk is delayed?
It is always unpleasant to know that you can’t have your milk production on time. You are actually excited about breastfeeding since this is the only time you can bond with your baby. But there’s no point in making this matter worse. Because there are a lot of solutions to your problems, and these are:
- Feeding your baby with formula milk
- You can also ask for a donor or a wet nurse until you have your own milk
- Communicate with a healthcare provider for proper medication
Wrapping up
When you become a mother, you only want what is best for your baby. Keep in mind that breastfeeding plays a vital role in your baby’s nutrients and development. Always remember that many pregnant women experience slow changes in their bodies. If the changes are advantageous, then it is good. But when it gives risks and worries to the mother, it is always the best action to ask your doctor about it.
After all, what matters here are the safety and the health of the baby. Just find solutions to every problem that may arise during pregnancy. There are a lot of experts that can help you more with it.
Read also:
- Baby Won’t Drink Milk? Tips To Make It Easier For You
- Reheat Breast Milk: Store And Safety Measures Guidance
- Healthy Pregnancy – is it Safe to Drink Soy Milk During Pregnancy?
