When your milk comes in

Most women's milk comes in about 30 to 40 hours after the placenta is delivered, regardless of what is happening with the breastfeeds. This is because your progesterone levels drop dramatically after you deliver the placenta, triggering 'secretory activation' (the milk coming in) 30 or 40 hours later.

However, to make sure that your milk comes in abundantly, so that your baby is able to exclusively breastfeed, you need to make sure that you

1. Are offering frequent flexible feeds. This doesn't just waiting for baby to dial up before offering the breast, but offering (without placing any pressure on the baby) very frequently, especially in the first day, and in the first two weeks. The baby will soon let you know if he or she isn’t interested! You can find out about frequent flexible breastfeeds here.

2. Have baby in a stable fit and hold, with no breast tissue drag. You can find out about fit and hold starting here.