Denise,

I only have my own experience to go on here, but I am currently 6 mths
pregnant, and breastfeeding a 2 1/2 yr old.  Currently, I can express a few
drops of a clearish fluid, that looks a bit like coconut milk, but not
really that beautiful yellow colostrum colour.  After a dramatic supply drop
during my 3rd to 5th months, I feel now that it's starting to increase
again, though only by a small amount.  This is the first pregnancy I have
fed right through, and although my daughter feeds relatively frequently, I
do not have a large supply.

I'll try and remember to keep an eye on it if you'd like, and let you know
when it starts to look more like colostrum, than thick, sticky coconut
milk!!  :-)

Dene Stareczek
NMAA
Trainee Breastfeeding Counsellor

Mum to Claudia (4), Tasha (2 1/2) and Bump due Oct 2000


<snip>
I've recently been involved in a conversation about when breastmilk becomes
more colostrum-like in relation to breastfeeding during pregnancy.

I've always stated that 'at birth' the breastmilk is colostrum-like, then
will 'come in' with lactogenesis II as per usual.  But WHEN during the
pregnancy does the milk of the mother who is breastfeeding an older child
'change' to be colostrum-like?

Is there much difference between low-volume 'nearly weaned' milk and
colostrum?  Is this why it appears to be colostrum again after birth?  What
about the toddler who has kept up a pretty good supply - is the milk just
before birthing as 'colostrum-like' as in the other case?

Looking forward to learning more.
Denise

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