What are the different types of Breast Milk?
There are several different types of breast milk:
- Colostrum
- Mature Milk
- Foremilk
- Hind-milk
Colostrum
Colostrum is the initial milk made shortly after your child is born and is initially present in small amounts for the first three days to match the small size of your baby’s stomach Ideally you should begin breastfeeding as soon as possible after giving birth. A Breastfeeding schedule of every 1 to 3 hours per 24 hour period (8 to 12 times per 24 hours) is ideal so your baby receives this valuable milk. Colostrum has a yellower tint when compared to other types of milk and is thicker in consistency. This is due in part to being high in protein (3x higher than mature milk) and low in fat and sugar.
Mature milk
Your milk will change and increase in quantity about 48 to 72 hours after giving birth. It may take longer depending on when you start breastfeeding and how often you breastfeed. The change in milk occurs a little earlier if you have breastfed before.
There are also different types of breast milk that occur during a nursing session.
Foremilk
When first starting a breastfeeding session, the first milk the baby receives is called foremilk. It is thin and watery with a light blue color. Foremilk is largely water needed to satisfy your baby’s thirst.
Hind-milk
Hind-milk is released after several minutes of nursing. It is similar in texture to cream and has the highest concentration of fat. The hind-milk has a relaxing effect on your baby. Hind-milk helps your baby feel satisfied and gain weight.
