Nutrition for the baby is provided only by mother's milk. This is especially important in the first months of a baby's life. If there is no other way, of course, mixtures are used, but the best option is still natural breastfeeding. Therefore, legitimate questions arise: how much time after childbirth does a woman have milk and when can she begin to feed her baby?
How long to wait for milk after childbirth
It is important for every young mother to know exactly when milk comes after birth. Especially this question torments those who give birth for the first time. You need to understand that breast milk begins to form with colostrum. The time required for its appearance is individual. In some women, colostrum appears in large numbers at the end of pregnancy, in others - immediately after birth or 3-4 days after the birth of the baby, but sometimes it takes a week to wait. In each of these cases, you can establish normal breastfeeding, in which the baby will receive a sufficient amount of nutrition.
Even if there is little colostrum, from a few drops to 100 ml, a newborn needs it because it contains important nutrients, vitamins, enzymes and hormones - all this is produced by the mother’s body based on the needs and age of the baby. Colostrum also participates in the formation of the infant's immunity, helps to establish digestion and remove meconium - the original feces.
During the first days after the birth, it seems as if the breast is empty: there is still not enough milk in it, preparations are underway for establishing stable lactation. Over time, colostrum is converted into transitional breast milk, and later into full milk. The process lasts 6 days from the beginning of its allocation.
The appearance of milk after natural birth
It is believed that it is the natural beginning of labor that corresponds to the hormonal rhythm and the woman’s readiness to breastfeed. Therefore, in those who give birth in a natural way, milk appears on the same day, and lactation is established quite quickly. Yet the cases are different. Even if the birth was natural, it may be difficult to form colostrum, especially in women who become mothers for the first time. Therefore, the main thing is that a woman really wants to breast-feed her baby, does not have psycho-emotional prohibitions. Then her milk will certainly appear.
When milk comes after cesarean section
Women who have cesarean have more problems starting lactation. Their milk comes in 2-4 days after giving birth, sometimes - even a week later. On the other hand, statistics do not reveal significant differences in the timing of the formation of breast milk after natural childbirth and cesarean. If necessary, you can feed your baby with mixtures - this does not hurt to establish a stable lactation, when at last there will be a rush of milk.
How to speed up the appearance of milk
In order to establish natural breastfeeding and stimulate the appearance of milk, it is important for the mother to maintain physical contact with the baby, “eye to eye”. The best option is to be in the same room, which makes it possible to apply the baby to breast on demand, and this can happen up to 10 times per night. Even if there is no milk in the breast yet, the baby will “order” it in the volume he needs, so it will appear. This process is activated at night, because in the dark the highest production of the hormone prolactin.
It is useful to massage it correctly to uncover the breast - this opens the ducts and milk channels. It is important to drink more, including weak tea with sugar.
If there are difficulties with the appearance of milk, you should talk about this with a midwife or a breastfeeding specialist. They will help you find the best solution for your specific situation.
You will immediately understand that milk has appeared: the chest at this time becomes more poured, heavy and hot. With a large amount of milk, it is recommended Express it manually or with a breast pumpand also wear nursing moms bras with chest pads to prevent smudges.
Recommendations on how to establish healthy lactation
Experts recommend continuing to breastfeed at least until the age of six months. To always have enough milk, so that it does not suddenly disappear, adhere to the following rules:
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- Apply the baby to the chest more often for 15-20 minutes. - so it will stimulate the formation of milk. It is important to do this even at night, because, emptying the chest in the dark, the baby literally “orders” itself the right amount of food the next day.
- Take a warm shower and gently massage your chest - it improves milk production.
- Maintain close physical contact with the baby, communicate with him - this is extremely important for establishing lactation.
- Can drink lactogonous herbal teas and mixtures. They also stimulate the formation of breast milk in the right quantities.
- Feed your baby with mixtures only if he is undernourished. This is indicated by a lack of weight, an attempt to suck yet, although the chest is already empty (Why the child does not eat up breast milk (how to understand what does not eat up, signs, causes and what to do)).
When establishing lactation, remember that the main thing in this process is to want to feed the baby with your milk. Be confident in your own abilities - and you will certainly be able to achieve full breastfeeding.
We also read:
- Fundamental advice to nursing mothers on breastfeeding
- TOP 100 useful tips for nursing mother
- How to increase lactation of breast milk at home (folk remedies and tablets)
Video consultation of Nina Zaichenko:colostrum - the first milk after childbirth. What is colostrum? Why do you need colostrum? Does colostrum need colostrum? When does milk come after delivery? Is colostrum considered a complete diet? Useful properties of colostrum. The composition of colostrum. The first days after birth. Myths about feeding:
