adapting to your baby needs

Breastmilk changes during first 3-4 weeks after giving birth

  • It changes over time to meet your baby's changing nutritional needs.
  • During the first days after delivery, it's a thick and yellowish milk called colostrum.
  • After these few days, colostrum changes into transition milk.
  • Two to three weeks after birth the colostrum changes into mature milk that is whiter and more transparent.

COLOSTRUM (Foremilk)
Colostrum is produced during the first days after birth. It has a yellowish colour and it is a real immunity booster for your baby. It is packed with proteins and antibodies. Its laxative effect helps ensure your baby's digestive system functions properly.
Colostrum also protects your baby against environmental influences and helps ensure proper intestinal colonization. Containing only very little salt, it furthermore protects your baby's immature kidneys.

TRANSITIONAL MILK
This is the creamy milk that comes right after colostrum. It is produced during the period from two to five days after birth to ten to fourteen days after birth. Transitional milk features high levels of fat, lactose and water-soluble vitamins and contains more calories than colostrum.

MATURE BREAST MILK
While mature milk is rich in fat, it has lower salt and protein levels. It provides your baby with complex nutrition. Mature milk also contains substances that help colonise the intestinal tract, increase your child's immunity against bacteria and viruses and optimise nutrient absorption and digestion.

"In the first period, breast milk is a real source of immunity for your baby"

Breast milk changes while you are breasfeeding

  • Breast milk even changes during the feeding. Your baby first drinks 'foremilk', which is thinner and contains less fat and more sugar. It satisfies your baby's thirst and liquid needs. After that comes 'hindmilk'that is thicker and creamier and contains the nutrients your baby needs to gain weight and grow and it fills their tummies.
  • To ensure your baby gets all the required nourishment, it's important to make sure one breast has been completely emptied before moving to the other one.
  • The milk composition is balanced so your baby gets the same amount of nutrients whether you feed once an hour or once every three hours.  

FOREMILK
This is the milk released at the start of a feeding. It is rich in milk sugar (lactose) and water.

HINDMILK
This is the milk released at the end of breastfeeding. It satisfies your baby's hunger and provides most of the nutrients needed to gain weight and grow.