when do you start producing milk

Milk production in humans starts around the midpoint of pregnancy, between weeks 16 and 22, when the body begins producing colostrum, the first form of milk rich in calories and antibodies. After birth, colostrum is immediately available as the baby's first food. The transition from colostrum to transitional milk occurs between 2 to 5 days postpartum, and mature milk typically comes in about 10 to 15 days after birth. This process happens due to hormonal changes, specifically the drop in progesterone and sustained high prolactin levels, which stimulate copious milk production. Breast milk production is influenced by milk removal through feeding or pumping, so frequent breastfeeding supports a good milk supply. It is normal if milk production is delayed beyond a few days postpartum, and support from lactation consultants can be helpful in such cases.