Breastmilk - just how pregnant do you have to be?

Question

Hi all!

Slightly odd question but I'll ask anyway.

I've heard a woman can produce colostrum as early as 5 months; however, how long is it before that turns to breastmilk (generally)?

Thanks for any help!!

Answer 1

The colostrum stays with you until you actually give birth and your child begins to breastfeed. The colostrum will then change to breastmilk in 3 to 4 days.

Answer 2

Your body is a great resource! Studies have confirmed that the colostrum/breastmilk produced is exactly the constitution (proteins, fats, etc) that the gestational age of the baby needs. And breastmilk/colostrum can be produced very early, sometimes as early as 20 weeks, as you mentioned. So if your baby is born at 28wks, the breastmilk will be more fatty with different protein structures than it would be if you delivered at 40wks. And then the composition of the milk changes as the baby matures. So the breastmilk of a woman with a 6 month old infant will be different still. But in general, most women at full term delivery, will have colostrum for 2-3 days before the milk comes in... this is usually dependent on how often the infant nurses. The more the baby nurses (witch releases certain hormones from the pituitary gland in the mother) the sooner the larger volume breastmilk comes in. For a term baby, colostrum is like small volume liquid gold. Then the breastmilk comes in as large volume filler. But if you're pregnant, no pumping of the breast!!! It can cause contractions and preterm labor by the release of those hormones I mentioned. Take care---

Answer 3

Yes, your breasts can leak colostrum that early. When the baby is born colostrum is what comes out of the breast before the milk "comes in". Colostrum is full of antibodies that are very valuable to the baby. A mother's milk, what you would normally think of when you think of breastmilk, does not come into her breasts until a few days after the birth.

Answer 4

The baby should get the early colostrum and the milk should flow within days to a couple weeks after

Answer 5

It will not turn to breastmilk until about 5 days after the baby is delivered

Answer 6

For me it took almost a week after I had my daughter for the colostrum became breast milk.

Answer 7

you will not produce breast milk untill 2 or 3 days after the birth of the baby- however cloostrum is also a very important part of the milk supply.

Answer 8

I've heard that 2-3 days after baby is born but I am sure it depends on the person since we are all different.

Myra

Answer 9

For most, its when its needed. ie when there is a baby attachced to the breast.