The Breastmilk Club
Your online source for up-to-date breastfeeding information
Breast Milk Production & Composition
Breast Milk Production
Breast milk is produced in milk-producing glands called mammary glands, and travels through milk ducts to openings in your nipple.
When the infant begins to suckle the breast, your body sends impulses to a part of brain called the hypothalamus. This triggers the release of hormones (prolactin and oxytocin) from another part of your brain called the pituitary gland.
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Prolactin - controls milk production
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Oxytocin - controls the release/let-down of milk from the ducts
Colostrum
Transitional
Mature
Breast Milk Composition
The type and components that are in your breast milk change as the baby matures.
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First Breast Milk (Colostrum)
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Thick, yellow
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Higher in proteins, vitamins, and minerals in comparison to mature milk
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Low in calories, fat, and lactose (this meaning that your baby will need to be fed frequently!)
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It also contains laxative effects that will help your baby pass his/her first poop
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Within About 4 Days Post-Delivery (Transitional Milk)
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Not as yellow as colostrum
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Lactose, Fat, and calories increase, as your baby needs these to grow
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Vitamin content stays the same
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Laxative properties decreased as your baby's intestines have already expelled the first poop
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Within About 2 Weeks Post-Delivery (Mature Milk)
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Bluish in color and thinner
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Contains more lactose and fat than colostrum
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The concentration of fats, calories, vitamins, and minerals becomes specific to your baby's needs
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i.e. if your baby is sick, the breastmilk will contain more antibodies to help fight infection
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The milk that is at the surface (or beginning) of the breast when the infant latches on is called foremilk, which tends to be thinner and contains less fat.
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The milk that is behind the foremilk is called the hindmilk, which is produced as the infant is suckling; this is high in fat, and creamy. The infant needs to be getting to the hindmilk supply every time he/she is feeding.
FACT: In Canada the sun is not strong enough throughout the year for mothers and babies to make the vitamin D they need through their skin. Also, babies who are less than one year old need to stay out of sunlight. Babies who are receiving breastmilk need a daily supplement of vitamin D. 400 IU or 10 micrograms is recommended.
*Discuss with your healthcare provider when you can discontinue giving the supplement.
Health Nexus. (2013). Breastfeeding Matters: BestStart Guide. Retrieved from http://www.beststart.org/cgi- bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=B04-E
Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport. (2010). Baby’s Best Chance: Parents Handbook of Pregnancy and Baby Care.
Crown Publications Services: Victoria, BC.
Venter, Kathy. (2014). ‘Making a Difference: A Breastfeeding Course for Health Professionals.