How Long Does it Take for the Breast Milk to Come?

You might be surprised to know that breast milk doesn’t come right away after delivery. It takes around 3-7 days for your body to make matured milk. If it takes longer than this consult the lactation doctor or try lactation supplement for kick starting the process. A first time mother may experience further delay in the coming of the milk. Women who have had children before can make milk more quickly as their body has experienced all this before and knows how to work accordingly. New mothers often panic about what to feed in the meantime; well Mother Nature has covered it all for you.

 Your body has been busy making a pre-milk that is enriched with nutrients and packed with immunity boosters to fight against infections and diseases. This milk is known as colostrum, which is sometimes thick and yellow and sometimes thin and white, varying from mother to mother. At first a few drops are enough to fill up the baby’s stomach, that's why the flow of colostrum is slow. This also tutors the baby how to suck, breathe and swallow all at the same time, a skill the baby needs to master.

Reason for a Delay in Milk Coming

A number of reasons can influence the ‘coming’ in for milk in your breasts. A woman's body may be very complicated and convoluted but it’s designed to feed and nourish the baby so don’t worry you’ll get there eventually. When the baby is born and mother has delivered the placenta, a hormone called prolactin is released in the brain which indicates it to make sufficient milk for the baby. Sometimes the mother suffers from ‘retained placenta’ in which a few shards of placenta remains in the uterus, restraining the prolactin to get released and give required signals to the mind. Look out for symptoms like heavy bleeding, stomach cramps, fever or a pungent smelling discharge from the vagina and consult your gynecologists.

Another reason for a delay in the milk coming can be due to an unpleasant delivery, too long and stressful pushing-out stage or an emergency caesarean. Sometimes when a mother has diabetes during pregnancy or otherwise, the fluctuation in blood sugar levels meddles with the milk coming. Delayed milk coming can also be attributed to physiological factors involving yours or the baby’s health. Often, new mothers don’t know how to stimulate the milk production and that too causes a delay. If the mother isn’t putting the baby to the breasts enough the milk production slows and takes longer. Expressing the breasts with hands also works as a milk supply booster signaling the mind to make milk.

How does a Mother Know her Milk has arrived?

A clear sign that your milk has arrived is fuller and firmer breasts. A mother will be able to feel the fullness and weight of her breasts. Some mothers feel warmer and engorged breasts and some feel a tingling sensation in their breasts. Another clear indication of milk arrival is its leaking from the breasts. The veins in your breasts will be more prominent, bulging and noticeable. After making colostrum for 3-4 days, mature milk starts to come in and mothers will notice a change in their milk consistency, color and texture. Creamier, whiter looking milk is a sign that matured milk has arrived.

 Preferably, mothers should start nursing their newborn babies within the first hour of the birth. The natural wakefulness of the baby can be utilized by letting him know how to feed on the breasts. This action will help your brain to understand that milk is in demand thus pacing the production. Mothers can have lactation supplement as a milk supply booster. But keep in mind that in as many as 25% women, milk arrival takes longer than 3-4 days. The arrival of milk in the breasts is more like a gradual change and less like a sudden one. Your body will be giving you signals and indication so be on a lookout and identify the signs.

Things to do if Milk Doesn’t Come in After a Week

Firstly, make sure that you’re putting the baby to the breasts oftenly. The skin to skin contact has been known to fuel milk production. Emptied breasts optimize milk production as it signals the mind to produce more. Lactation supplement, lactation treats and drinks also work well to enhance milk supply. Also get your endocrine levels (testosterone, prolactin, thyroid) checked, an imbalanced endocrine levels can also be a reason for the milk not coming in.

Summary  

Like every kid every mother is also different and unique. If any mother struggles in the initial days, it doesn’t mean that her milk won’t come in ever. Motherhood is all about patience, persistence and preservation, right? Some mothers get a steady milk supply in 3-4 days and for some it can be weeks! So don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with you.