Black Breastfeeding Week (3)

About Breast Milk : Days 2-5

Congrats of preserving through that intense labor. You are one tough cookie. Speaking of cookies don’t they pair great with milk ? Lets chat about the milk you’re creating for your baby. After a few days of feeding and loving your baby your body will begin to produce “mature milk”

It is very normal for your breast to feel warmer or hot , heavy hard or even swollen. Breastfeeding is very much a “trust the process” undertaking. As you milk begin to “come in” continue feeding routinely. Baby going to be extremely sleeping having just been born but please encourage feeding often. Regular feeding will lessen the chances of engorgement which can be extremely painful. Cold compresses applied directly to the dress along with moisturizing the skin will help with this. As the ducts fill they will cause the skin to stretch and we want to make sure that we are maintaining hydration during this process. You may find that when bathing the warm water will help relax the breast as well You may want to invest in a Hakaa to catch the milk during the period.

Once the milk has come in full capacity encourage your baby to fully feed from both breast. Now in the event that baby has a preferred breast try switching position to encourage feeding from the least favorite breast. This way they will get foremilk and the even richer in nutrient hindmilk (milk from the back of the breast).

Colostrum (which we learned about in previous posting on 9/1/2021) and mature milk both contain antibodies and immune boosting factors to protect our babies. Breastmilk is LIVING MILK. If contains so many enzymes nutrients and hormones making it stellar for baby. If you were to put it u7nder a microscope you would literally see it moving like little soldiers. The benefits will continue for baby long after you’ve weened.