I’ve heard stories about moms not making enough milk for their babies. How do I know if I’ll be able to breastfeed?
Your body starts preparing to breastfeed during pregnancy! About halfway through your pregnancy, you start producing colostrum, baby’s first milk. Some moms leak breast milk during pregnancy, and some do not. Both are normal, and not leaking is not a sign that you won’t be able to breastfeed. It is very rare that a mom cannot produce breast milk.
Listed below are some breast changes you may notice during pregnancy. These are good signs that your body is getting ready for milk production after baby’s arrival. Not all changes are necessary:
- Growth
- Tenderness
- Darkening/enlarging of nipples & areolas
- Darkened blue veins showing near the surface of the breasts
- Nipples stick out more
- Small bumps on the areolas (Montgomery Glands) become more noticeable
After baby is born and the placenta is delivered, this triggers your body to start making more milk. Your supply will “come in” more plentifully the more often and effectively baby is latching. The first 24 hours have an impact on long-term milk production. Breastfeed (or hand express) early (within the 1st hour of birth) and often (on demand~8-12 times in 24 hours). Removing milk from your breasts triggers the milk-making hormone, prolactin, which tells your breasts to keep producing. Breasts continually produce milk and are never completely empty. Click here to learn about the ABCs of breastfeeding, a simple guide to understanding the basics of breastfeeding.
SOURCE:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22201-lactation
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