Milk Supply

During your first few days of breastfeeding, just after the birth, your milk will be 'coming-in' and at first it may seem like you are not producing enough milk. This is perfectly normal as the first milk is called colostrum, a thick creamy milk that is overflowing with vitamins, proteins and antibodies.

After a couple of feeds your milk producing levels will be boosted and you'll start to produce foremilk and hindmilk. Foremilk is produced first and when your baby starts their feed they will have their thirst quenched by the foremilk and then the hindmilk will commence. Hindmilk is high in fat and important for the baby's development and growth. On a warm day, your body will produce more foremilk to satisfy your baby's thirst.

It will take around six to eight weeks for the correct balance of milk supply and demand to be established. Avoid introducing bottles or formula feeds as this will interrupt the supply of milk.Feed your baby for as long as he wants. It might be very frequent at first, up to 20 times per day, and this is known as demand feeding. This should be encouraged, especially overnight, as it will help to promote a steady supply of milk.

You will know if you are supplying your baby with enough milk if they are waking up for feeds, taking feeds well and having wet (approx 6) and dirty (approx 2 stools per day) nappies. Don't be put off if your baby's weight gain seems to be slow compared to UK growth charts as they are based on bottle fed babies. These growth charts will be replaced with World Health Organisation (WHO) breastfeeding growth charts soon.