Change in Breastmilk Consistency???

A.:

its sounds like you are describing normal changes in breastmilk consistancy.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

Congratulations and way to go for choosing an awesome path for your child's health and future! As I'm sure others have already told you, your choice to breastfeed is truly amazing in a world where so many ppl. cave in and choose an "easier" way of doing things. I know it can be really demanding, painful at times, and testing of your patience but I promise it will be so rewarding. You may already see how it helps you bond so strongly with your child as he or she grows. I will tell you this happens to everyone's milk and do not worry in the least bit. Also, babies sleep patterns and eating patterns change significantly as they develop and as their body grows, sometimes being more fatty and other times not as nutritionally dense. It goes in waves and it'll happen many times throughout the course of "nursinghood." I would also talk to a lactation consultant if you want some extra reassurance or support nearby. There is a lactation consultant on mamasource as well. I believe her name is Patricia. Good luck and enjoy that precious little bundle of joy. The time will go so quickly and it is over in the blink of an eye. This is the best time of our lives...

Hi A.,

Congrats on the new baby and your decision to nurse! I second everything the first poster said and just wanted to add that what you eat will also effect your milk. Some foods might disagree with your baby. Also, if you want her to take a bottle you should try having someone else feed her...if you're there (they know it even if you're not in the room) she's going to most likely prefer you to a bottle. If you need any additional support/advice please email me...I exclusively nursed our first child for a year and have seen so many of the bennefits pay off. There were a lot of little "road bumps" that came up along the way (milk supply, juggling pumping with life, ect.) and none of my friends nursed so I had a lot to figure out...it's great to ask others who have done this for suggestions/advice so you don't go crazy trying to figure it all out on your own. I'm getting ready to have my second child next week and looking forward to the whole experience again. Best of luck!

N.

Also wanted to add to the other advice, that your milk can be thinner and have more liquid in the morning (when your baby needs to quench his thirst) and there will be less of it but it will be thicker at night, to help satiate his hunger through the night. Your body naturally does that for your baby.

Is the change in consistence from the start to finish? If so, it is because the body produces milk in 2 stages. The first milk to come out when you nurse or pump, is thinner, with less fat (think "skim" milk). The later milk is called "hind" milk and it is the thicker fattier milk that is best for baby. Be sure to nurse or pump long enough one each side so baby gets the hind milk. She may be turning up her nose at the bottle because she wants mommy instead!
Hope this helps!

Hi A.- Ihave nursed all 4 of my kids to over a year. The milk consistancy shouldn't matter but I do know the end milk is called hind milk and thicker. Also with my 1st I changed from prenatal vitamins to a GNC brand and my milk changed color (very yellow) and my daughter got bad diaper rash. With the other 3 I made sure to sick to the prenatals. Good Luck!
B.

Your milk will change due to what you are eating & drinking. If you drink a lot of water it will not be as thick.

What you're seeing is the difference between foremilk and hindmilk. The foremilk (what you would pump "off the top" for example to relieve engorgement) is like skim milk. The hindmilk is fattier - it's what you get once your breasts have been emptied a bit. It shouldn't really affect her wanting to nurse at all, though I imagine just from my own experiences with food that the fattier milk will satiate her for longer. Some moms have problems with their babies being very gassy and unhappy and it is sometimes because they only get the foremilk - ie they don't nurse for long enough on either side to really get the hindmilk. Since the foremilk is sugarier but less fatty it doesn't really fill the baby up as well.

If you nurse her for at least 10 minutes per side you shouldn't ever really run into this problem. If you're pumping to replace a feeding (because, say, you want to leave the house without her) you might want to combine milk that you pumped before a feeding with milk that you pump right after a feeding to get the consistency right.

Also, don't forget that milk separates in the fridge (it's unhomogenized) - and the longer it sits still the more it will separate - but will all mix back in once it's at least room temp.

A.,
This happens alot to breastfeeding mothers and it could be different reasons. It might be what you ate, or that when it is more thick, is when the fat is entering it for the baby.

S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com

Don't worry- it's normal! Your milk can change from minute to minute and is specially formulated to what your baby needs at that instant. Even scientists can't figure out how we can be so "in tune" with our babies in this way.
Keep up the good work-- you are helping your baby in soooo many wonderful ways. I know it can be exhausting and frustrating at times too though. Have you joined a La Leche League group? They can be *wonderful* support.

Congratulations,
Amanda R.
aspiring IBCLC

I agree with everything AND .. . it also changes with your diet. I breast feed my 6 month old and exclusively pumped for my 3 year old (was a preemie and couldn't latch) for 14 months.

Aside from milk consistancy, sometimes when your breasts are really full, its hard for them to latch. I remember my little guy had the same issue a month or 2 ago.

It changes with what you eat. I drink a protein shake every day and sometimes if I pump before I drink it, it looks watery as well. It definately looks thicker after I eat something substantial.

You are doing an amazing thing by chosing to breastfeed. Congratulations!
B.

A.-

I breastfeed my daughter for 11 months. I know that my milk's consistency changed depending on what I ate i.e. whether I was eating enough protein and fat. Sometimes if I was getting enough of either my milk would appear more watery.

Hope this helps.
C.