Milk production

Breastfeeding stimulates the maternal hypothalamus (a structure in your brain) to produce certain hormones: prolactin and oxytocin. Prolactin is responsible for the production of milk. Oxytocin causes the muscles around the milk-producing cells to contract, pushing the milk towards the nipple, we call this the let-down reflex. By latching on often, the production of breast milk gets off to a better start.

DEMAND AND SUPPLY SYSTEM

To stimulate milk production, it is good to latch your baby within one hour and otherwise as soon as possible after delivery. After that, during the first weeks, “feeding on request” applies. This means that your baby can drink as often and for as long as he/she wants. It's actually a “demand-and-supply” principle; the baby asks, the mother gives. This means that you let your baby drink from the breast when he/she wants to and until he/she falls asleep or releases the breast itself. If you think your baby can't be hungry, sometimes it can.

In the first weeks this amounts to a minimum of 8 feedings per 24 hours. But much more often this will be about 10 to 12 times a day. In the first few days it is important that the breasts are regularly stimulated to get the production going. In addition, it is of course important that your child receives sufficient nutrition. A newborn needs at least 8 feedings per 24 hours; in which rhythm he/she does that does not matter. Offer both breasts at each feeding to stimulate milk production in both breasts.

APPLY FREQUENTLY

In the first week, the amount of milk is adjusted to the needs of the baby. A baby has been given “reserves” from the womb to be able to continue for the first few days. The intestines must also get used to digesting milk. Milk production therefore only needs to increase after a few days.

By latching often during the first few days, milk production is quickly started for when your baby does need more nutrition. Regular latching helps prevent engorgement in your breasts by helping the baby to empty the breasts. Breastfeeding is well underway after a week to ten days. Your baby will now receive more food and the times between feedings will naturally increase.

SUFFICIENT NUTRITION

The fact that you cannot see exactly how much milk your baby is taking in during breastfeeding causes uncertainty for many women about their milk production. Your baby will receive sufficient nutrition if he is satisfied, is growing well, urinates 6 times a day and poops enough after the first week. During the first few days it is normal for your baby to lose some weight and not pee that much. When the engorgement occurs and milk production is well underway, the baby will grow and urinate more. After 2 weeks, a baby should be at or above birth weight again.

In contrast to formula feeding, the amount of milk that a baby receives during breastfeeding differs per feeding. Especially around the feedings at the end of the day, there may be a little less production. Your child may also be a bit more restless. By putting the baby on more often, the baby often drinks a little less per feeding, but a little more over the entire evening, this to 'pre-drink' before the night. We call this clustering. Production is often higher in the morning. Breastfeeding is a “living product”. Both composition and quantity can vary.

When your baby grows up and wants to drink more milk, your milk production is adjusted to your baby's demand by regular days. Eventually the full feeling in your breasts will decrease and it will seem as if you no longer have production. This is almost never the case! Because the supply and demand system now works so well, your body can make milk instantly when you start feeding.