First stage
The first few times you nurse, your body will produce a unique kind of breast milk known as colostrum. It has a yellowish color and is stickier than normal breast milk. That yellow color is one of the reasons it’s called “liquid gold.” The other reason is that colostrum is loaded with protein and antibodies to help protect your baby against infections.
Colostrum also has laxative elements which will help your newborn pass their meconium, which is stool made of up the foods they ingested while in the womb.
In a lot of ways, colostrum is designed to help your baby transition from growing in the womb to thriving in the world.
Second stage
As your body moves from producing colostrum to regular breast milk, you’ll nurse with what’s commonly referred to as transitional milk. This second, transitional stage lasts for one to two weeks. Your milk will retain a yellowish color and begin to grow thinner and more plentiful.
Transitional milk is higher in calories than colostrum, and has higher levels of fat, lactose, and water-soluble vitamins. Because you’ll suddenly be producing a greater quantity of breast milk, it’s common to feel like your breasts are full and uncomfortable. This sensation usually goes away as you fall into your nursing routine.
Third stage
About two weeks after delivery you’ll begin to produce what’s called mature milk. That’s right, your milk is all grown up!
Mature milk has a bluish tint and is a lot thinner than the milk you buy in the store or formula. Breast milk contains the full nutritional elements your baby needs in those first few months life, including water, carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
The exact makeup of your milk will change as you nurse, based on the needs of your baby, your environment, and your diet.
Your pump
Helping your body make this transition from colostrum to mature milk takes patience, and a lot of time dedicated to regular nursing. Many moms find that having a breast pump around can help them stay on a nursing schedule, keep up their supply, and nurse more comfortably.
As you begin your search for the perfect breast pump, start with our partners at Byram Healthcare. They work with your insurance company to provide you a breast pump free of charge. You just fill out a simple form online, and Byram does the rest.
Byram partners with more insurance providers than any other comparable service, which makes them a one-stop-shop for most breastfeeding moms. Byram never charges for shipping, and offers a variety of industry leading breast pumps to choose from including Medela and Ameda, all at no cost to you.
Tap the button below to get started. Honestly, you’re just a few steps away from a completely free, top-of-the-line pump delivered right to your doorstep.
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