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Medical Video: Breastmilk and formula enable mother to breastfeed longer
Transitional breast milk appears after colostrum and lasts for approximately two weeks. The content in transition milk is fat, lactose, and vitamins that are soluble in water. Transitional breast milk contains more calories than colostrum.
Because your breasts will supply transitional milk far more than colostrum, your breasts will enlarge and look tight during this stage. This will feel uncomfortable at first and can make it difficult for your baby to position himself properly while breastfeeding. However, this can be overcome by exercise (and maybe with the help of a doctor or lactation specialist) to make it easier for your baby.
Sometimes, flushing a small portion of milk by hand will help soften the areola to make it easier for the baby to position themselves. The milk that drips from your nipples will also encourage the baby to eat. Breastfeeding will reduce pressure in the breast and will make you feel more comfortable.
You may feel a tingling sensation when your baby starts breastfeeding. That is, reflex let-down Breast milk has worked, causing milk to be pushed out of milk-producing cells so that your baby can drink it. Reflexes when milk will come out can be stimulated by the baby's suction, nearing the time of breastfeeding, or only with the sound of your baby's hungry cry. After this happens, more milk will flow and your baby will enjoy it. You will hear the sound of swallowing from your baby and milk can drip or spray from your other breasts.
In the early weeks of breastfeeding, you can feel cramps in the uterus while breastfeeding. This is the effect of the hormone oxytocin. It is important for you to relax and rest because stress, pain, and fatigue can reduce the productivity of breast milk.
Along with the increasing demand from your child for breastfeeding, the more milk your body will produce; maybe you feel as if you are constantly required to breastfeed during this initial period. Breastfeeding during the day can be done every 1.5 hours to 3 hours, and the duration is from ten minutes to almost one hour. Breast milk is easily digested by babies, and breastfeeding newborns can usually reach eight to twelve times a day. Even so, the pattern and frequency of breastfeeding will adapt, decreasing with your baby's needs.
