WIC Breastfeeding

• Delivering Change
• Geary County Breastfeeding Coalition
• Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition
• Konza WIC

How is Breastmilk Made?

During pregnancy, your breasts get ready to make milk. As milk-making tissues rapidly grow, you may notice your breasts become fuller and more tender. 

After you have your baby, pregnancy hormones lower, which helps release the lactation hormone, prolactin, telling your breasts to make milk. 

The more your baby nurses, the more milk you make.

The Let-Down Reflex

When your baby suckles, another hormone, oxytocin, sends a message that tells the small muscles in your breast to contract. This muscle contraction moves milk through the milk ducts; this is called the let-down reflex. It releases milk into your milk ducts so you can breastfeed your baby.

What is the Difference Between Colostrum and Breast Milk?

There are three phases of breast milk. Each one is vital to nourishing your baby.

• Colostrum. This is the first milk produced by the breast right after birth. It is thick, yellow-ish, and rich in nutrients your baby needs in the first few hours and days.
• Transitional milk. When mature breast milk starts to replace colostrum, it is called transitional milk. This is often what’s called “your milk coming in,” and it usually happens in your first week at home with the baby.
• Mature milk. Mature milk looks thinner than colostrum but is still full of nutrients for baby. It starts about 10-15 days after birth. Mature milk will continue to change with your baby’s needs and tummy.