{"id":111587,"date":"2020-07-30T21:39:22","date_gmt":"2020-07-31T01:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.oviahealth.com\/guide\/111587\/how-breast-milk-changes-as-your-baby-grows-pregnancy\/"},"modified":"2025-02-03T12:49:22","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T17:49:22","slug":"how-breast-milk-changes-as-your-baby-grows-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/guide\/111587\/how-breast-milk-changes-as-your-baby-grows-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"How breast milk changes as your baby grows"},"content":{"rendered":"

Breast milk is amazing for many reasons, one of which is that it changes over time to provide your little one with exactly what they need as they grow. Trust us when we say, it\u2019s super cool.<\/span><\/p>\n

How will your breast milk change?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The nutritional composition of your milk will change as your baby grows. Why exactly? Incredibly, it changes to keep up with Baby<\/span>‘s nutritional needs as they grow.<\/span><\/p>\n

What should you expect immediately after birth?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The first few days after they is<\/span> born, instead of producing what you might usually think of as milk, you’ll actually produce a fluid called colostrum that\u2019s rich in protein and antibodies to help nourish and protect your baby. It\u2019s often called \u201cliquid gold\u201d because of its golden color and just how good it is for infants. Rich in vitamins and minerals, colostrum will help your baby\u2019s new digestive system function properly, pass along immunity, and help them gain weight. You\u2019ll only produce a little since your new baby\u2019s tummy is so small at this point \u2014 quality, not quantity, is important here.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When can you expect to be producing milk?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In just a few days, this colostrum will transition to milk. And since you\u2019ll be producing a lot more milk than you were producing colostrum, when your milk first comes in, it\u2019s normal for your breasts to swell and be engorged. At first, you\u2019ll produce transitional milk \u2014 because your body is <\/span>transitioning<\/span><\/em> over to producing mature milk. The transitional milk will seem very creamy in texture and color. It will be high in fat, calories, and lactose, and it will also still have plenty of protective agents like antibodies. By the time your little one is about a month old, you will be producing mature milk. Mature milk is still full of the good stuff your baby needs \u2014 including vitamins and minerals, protein, sugar, hormones, enzymes, and even protective antibodies if you or your baby get sick \u2014 and this will continue to be the case as your little one gets older. Soon enough, you\u2019ll feel less engorged as your body adjusts to your little ones needs. And as you continue to breastfeed your baby over the coming months, the composition of this milk will continue to change, providing the nutrients that Baby<\/span> needs at that particular time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What if you want to learn more about how all of this works?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If you\u2019re preparing to breastfeed, it\u2019s always helpful to take a breastfeeding class to learn all the ins and outs, how to work through challenges, how to best take care of yourself and your baby, and to get more comfortable with what to expect. If you\u2019re having trouble of any sort, wondering what\u2019s normal, or just have questions about how to best take care of yourself and your baby, you can reach out to your child\u2019s healthcare provider or a certified lactation consultant. Just like your milk changes as your baby grows, it\u2019s not uncommon for your breastfeeding experience to change over time too, and you deserve all the support you need on your breastfeeding journey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team<\/em><\/p>\n

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