Milk typically starts to come in between 2 to 5 days after giving birth. Initially, mothers produce colostrum within the first 24 hours, which is a nutrient-rich early milk. Then, transitional milk usually appears around day 3 to 5 postpartum, followed by mature milk coming in toward the end of the second week.
Key Points on Milk Coming In
- Colostrum, the first milk, is produced right after birth and lasts for the first few days.
- Transitional milk typically comes in between 2 and 5 days after birth and lasts up to two weeks.
- Breast fullness, engorgement, and a change in milk consistency are common signs that milk is coming in.
- Certain factors such as stress, cesarean section, or medical conditions can delay milk production beyond 5 days, sometimes up to 7 to 14 days.
- Frequent breastfeeding or pumping after birth helps stimulate milk supply.
This timeline and process ensure that newborns get the nutrients they need right after birth and as their feeding needs grow in the early weeks.
