Foremilk

From BirthWiki

Foremilk is the milk at the beginning of a feeding. It is thinner and lighter in color and has a higher lactose content and lower fat content than Hindmilk. It satisfies the liquid and thirst needs of the baby. The breasts do not make two different kinds of milk. According to La Leche League International:

"As milk is made, the fat sticks to the sides of the milk-making cells while the watery portion of the milk moves down the ducts toward the nipple, where it mixes with any milk left there from the last feeding. The longer the amount of time between feedings, the more diluted that leftover milk becomes. This "watery" milk has a higher lactose content and less fat than the milk stored in the milk-making cells higher up in the breast."

When a mother has a high milk production and the baby consumes too much foremilk, Foremilk/hindmilk imbalance can occur. This can also happen if the breast is not drained during a feeding or if the mother is switching between breasts too frequently. In the event of an oversupply, it can help to pump a few ounces before the feeding begins. It can also be corrected by finishing the first breast first.

To learn more about possible Oversupply read THIS article by LLLI.

Below is a picture of both hindmilk and foremilk expressed from one woman. Notice the difference in color and apparent thickness.

This entry was added to the original BirthWiki by amyncarter on 26 July 2009.