The comments about colostrum and different cultures is interesting. In my
practice now I see few Asians or Latinas, but I have seen these mothers at
other times and still get calls from others who work with them. I have
found (personally) that sharing the following information is helpful
without putting down or denying them their own cultural "knowledge."

Colostrum stops being made when the baby is born. Thereafter, mature milk
production goes into high gear because nothing is present to prevent it.
Hence, each feeding from the first is a different percentage/representation
of colostrum and mature milk until only mature milk is present. The time it
takes to make this transition depends on a varietyi of elements, not least
of which is the frequency of milk transfer (to baby, or into pump, or into
hands when expressing, etc).  As the color changes, the milk "matures".
Sharron Humenick's research on maturation of milk has also shown that the
characteristics of the milk also change as the proportion of colostrum
declines.  Most mothers who breastfeed frequently have white milk within 7
days; others take as long as 16 days to achieve this.

If you have a mother who is concerned about the old milk, invite her to
express her milk until that color is less noticeable. Inform her that
frequently doing so will increase the volume of her GOOD milk (white stuff)
and help develop a decent milk supply, to which her baby will benefit.
Also, when she sees that she does indeed have milk (an issue more among
Asian mothers), they usually are more likely to put baby to breast sooner.

Hope this helps and thanks to K Dettwyler for her comments on the issue
from a cultural anthro perspective.  One of the joys of LACTNET is our
multi-disciplinary nature.



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