signs milk is coming in during pregnancy + Postpartum
If you're eagerly awaiting your baby’s arrival, you might find yourself wondering, “When does breast milk start flowing?” What many don’t realize is that the body begins preparing for baby well before birth. In fact, women start producing their baby’s first food midway through pregnancy and go on to produce different types of breast milk in the early weeks after birth.
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When Does Breast Milk Start During Pregnancy?
Did you know that you might already be producing early breast milk while pregnant, even if you’re unaware of it? Milk production typically begins midway through pregnancy, usually between weeks 16 and 22. During this time, your body starts making colostrum—a nutrient-rich, yellowish milk packed with calories and antibodies that will be your baby’s first food after birth. Some expectant moms may notice faint yellow or orange stains on their bras in the second or third trimester, a sign of colostrum leaking from their nipples. (Don’t worry if you don’t experience leaking—it’s completely normal too!) Other than this, there are not signs of milk coming in until after your baby is born.
After your baby is born, your body is prepped and ready for your baby to have colostrum. This is true whether you delivered vaginally or via cesarean. As your baby gets the hang of breastfeeding and their needs change, your body will begin to go through three stages: colostrum, transitional milk and, finally, mature breast milk. Colostrum are days 1-2, transitional milk is days 2-5, and then mature milk comes in within a week or two (these are averages).
Colostrum
Because your body starts producing colostrum during pregnancy, that is the first food your baby will have. Your newborn will only get a few drops of colostrum at each feeding, but they will get plenty of nutrients. A newborn’s stomach is only the size of a marble. Colostrum also helps baby pass their first stool, meconium, and helps prep baby’s intestines for mature breast milk.
Transitional milk
Transitional milk typically comes in two to five days after birth. This period of time is often referred to as “milk coming in.” As this happens your breast milk production will start to increase and fill up your baby’s expanding belly. Your breasts may start to feel full. Transitional milk will look thinner and whiter than colostrum.
Mature breast milk
Toward the end of the second week, the mature breast milk starts to come in. Mature breast milk is the milk baby will continue to drink until they wean and has a higher fat content. Breastmilk composition changes throughout the breastfeeding journey to fulfill what the baby needs.