Breastmilk

During pregnancy your breasts enlarge as milk ducts and milk-producing cells develop so that when the times comes for your baby to suck the milk that is made and stored in your breasts, they are ready to respond to the baby to produce the amount of milk needed.

Breastmilk contains the right balance of nutrients and you produce it at exactly the right temperature for your baby. The first breastmilk that you produce is called colostrum and is a thick yellowish milk produced in small quantities by your breasts before the mature milk comes in. It is rich in antibodies and protects your baby against many diseases.

Later on, the milk that you produce will have different qualities, changing gradually throughout the feed. The first milk (also called ‘foremilk’) quenches thirst; the next portion (‘hindmilk’) provides energy that satisfies the baby’s hunger. It is best to offer the other breast only after the baby has finished with the first, although it is perfectly normal to feed from only one breast per feed. It is a good idea to make sure your breasts are alternated from one feed to the next.