(BREASTFEEDING) You know how newborn babys belly is SO small at first..well what would happen if..?

A mother is still breastfeeding her 1st child and she gives birth to a new baby. Is their NO colostrum (which i thought they NEED) for the new baby? And they just get regular mommy milk like their sibling. I know women Tandem nurse and its normal BUT i just dont see how in the beginning, Isnt it hard on the newborn with such strong milk flow? Sorry if its stupid question but i was just wondering how that worked...

and to the second answer WEAN? Thats crazy! Why give my BEST to one child and not BOTH. ALOT of women Tandem nurse and i think thats great if the kids are close in age

My preschooler weaned himself at 19 months because the milk changed in flavor. It still appeared white, and if he hasn't told me it tastes funny I wouldn't have known. He also had looser stools after it changed.

Colostrum is higher in protein and has a mild laxative effect (great for getting that mec out of the tummy!) So there was colostrum in my milk, but I was also still producing mature milk.

The funny thing about breastmilk is that it is constantly changing depending on current need. Like in summer, it can have more foremilk ... so it is more of a thirst quencher.

Babies pull away and gasp if the milk is too forceful. Even newborns. They let you know if there is a problem.

I think that when the newborn is here it turns back to colostrum for a few days.



Milk supply during pregnancy

Most mothers who are nursing through pregnancy notice a decrease in milk supply by mid-pregnancy, but sometimes as early as the first month. During pregnancy, the mature milk is also making a gradual change to the colostrum which is present at birth. Supply may increase toward the end of pregnancy as colostrum production kicks in.

Why does milk production usually decrease during pregnancy? Progesterone levels gradually rise during pregnancy. One theory for the cause of decreased milk supply during pregnancy (Flower 2003) is that the progesterone makes the alveoli permeable, or "leaky," so they can't store milk well. At birth (the delivery of the placenta) progesterone levels drop dramatically, allowing prolactin to take over. Prolactin makes the alveoli impermeable, thus setting the stage for the return of copious milk production.

The production of breastmilk depends upon adequate emptying of the breasts, but the supply and demand regulation of milk supply does not usually hold up when faced with the hormonal changes of pregnancy. The decrease in milk production usually occurs despite continued or increased nursing frequency, although a minority of pregnant mothers do not experience a decrease in milk supply. Obviously if your child does decrease demand, that will further decrease supply.

When your milk supply begins to decrease, your nursling may respond by increasing or decreasing nursing frequency. Your child will most likely make up for decreased milk intake by eating more solids (indeed, increased solid food intake is one way that pregnant moms might track a decrease in milk supply). You can go ahead and encourage increased solid foods - just keep in mind that if your baby is under a year, milk should be his/her primary source of nutrition. As long as your baby is gaining weight adequately and nursing at least 3-4 times a day, he/she is unlikely to need an additional source of milk (see Is my older baby getting enough milk?).

Many moms claim that eating oatmeal once a day helps their milk supply. There are also a number of herbs that can help to increase milk supply, but experts are generally not in agreement when it comes to safe use during pregnancy.

Your body will produce colostrum for the nb, even if you are nursing an older child. Your body will see to it throughout the pregnancy that it will meet the nutritional needs of the nb first, before your other child.

Breastmilk alters itself throughout the stages of baby's growth, changing in amount and fat content etc. I would be curious about the mother who has back to back babes, 9 months apart. I wonder if the quality of milk for the older child would be as sufficient as it would were you not pregnant. Probably, as I'm sure this has happened before. But once you give birth, your body and breasts know it's their job to meet the needs of the new baby!

I stopped bf my 2 year old son about a month before giving birth to my second, and the milk content completely changed upon birthing, providing colostrum and all that good stuff to my daughter~

Great question!

Here is some information from La Leche League. The colostrum comes back.

From second source:
"During my pregnancy, I noticed times of decreased milk supply and tender nipples, but these obstacles were not significant for us. Ruby began to eat solid foods, but still nursed many times per day. Although I had milk throughout my pregnancy, I noticed that my milk changed to colostrum toward the time of Levi's birth"

The first baby needs to be weaned, and let the mother produce colostrum which the 2nd won't get if the 1st is nursing. Otherwise, what's the purpose in breastfeeding? You'll also need to give yourself enough time to dry up and re-produce milk between weaning and having the 2nd child, otherwise, don't quit until the 2nd child is born. The 2nd child should just suck enough to get enough milk, without choking itself. The breast responds properly to the touch of the child's pulling, and isn't like a bottle nipple.