Breastfeeding basics Breastfeeding basics - South West Health

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iAbout breastmilk
Your breastmilk changes to meet the needs of
your growing baby. The first thick yellow milk,
called colostrum, nourishes your newborn and
gives your baby antibodies to fight infection.
After a few days, your milk starts to change.
It becomes mature milk by about 2 weeks.
Your mature milk changes throughout the feed.
The foremilk comes first. It is thin, low in fat,
and high in vitamins. It satisfies your baby’s
thirst. When your child continues to suckle, the
hindmilk is released. It is a high-calorie fatty
white milk which satisfies your baby’s hunger.
Besides responding to your baby’s needs
throughout a feeding, your milk responds
to your environment. Your body produces
antibodies to fight infections that you are
exposed to. You share these with your baby
through your breastmilk.
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Your breastmilk is the perfect food for
your baby. And the act of breastfeeding, the
skin-to-skin contact, the cuddling, the “lovegazing”
that breastfeeding encourages, is
important to your baby’s social and emotional
development. Your baby learns that a warm
breast is always available. Your baby learns
to love and trust and play.