The milk
The breasts
The baby
birthTIPS
The milk. About 72 to 96 hours (3 to 4 days) after the birth, the milk changes from being 'transitional milk' to mature milk, and is said to 'come in'. The volume of milk noticeably increases, and for some women can be seen to flow, or leak, readily when the baby comes off the breast.
The milk 'coming in' is the time that the breastfeeding will start to incorporate a '
let down' reflex. A 'let-down' is a response by the woman's body to the baby suckling. The stimulation of her nipple triggers the release of her natural oxytocin hormone from the brain, which causes her milk to 'eject', or flow freely. The 'let down' is also known as the 'milk ejection reflex'.
The breasts. The woman's breasts usually feel heavy, 'firm' or 'full' and warm. They will increase considerably in size (although this is only temporary for a few days). The breasts may look a little flushed, and the woman may have a slight temperature (up to 38 degrees Celsius). Most of the 'fullness' in the breasts is due to an increase in blood supply to the breasts (called 'vascular engorgement') and an expansion of the
lymph supply, as well as the start of the mature milk production. This is why it is usually difficult for the woman to judge if her breasts feel 'full' or 'empty' after a feed (or to tell by feeling, which breast she fed from last!)
For a day or so, the supply of milk will be a little more than the baby needs, contributing to an 'overfull' feeling. It is crucial for the baby to feed 'on-demand' at this time, to keep the milk flowing, otherwise the normal vascular engorgement will turn into painful '
milk engorgement', as the
alveoli distend with milk. However, many women will want to feed their baby regularly at this time, because it relieves the overfullness.
You can start to wear maternity bras for support or comfort, and may like to use breast pads, if your nipples are leaking.