How Long Does the Milk Stay After You Give Birth?

Learning about the availability of breast milk after giving birth is essential whether you desire to breastfeed or not. However, it's important to know that breastfeeding your baby offers quality bonding time between mother and child, complete nutrition for your baby and a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Breastfeeding

Your breast milk comes in within 48 to 72 hours after giving birth. To instantly eliminate the discomfort of engorged breasts, express the milk through nursing. The moment you do this, your body produces more breast milk for future feedings. Express your breast milk frequently to keep it coming in. Using a breast pump is an alternative when your baby is sleeping and your breasts are engorged. This cycle can continue for as long as you want to breastfeed. Many people have differing opinions on how long they should breastfeed the baby, but ultimately, the decision is up to the mother.

Not Breastfeeding

Even if you don't want to breastfeed, your breasts still engorge after giving birth. Because you are not expressing milk, you breasts may start hurting, and breast milk may start leaking from them. To relieve some of the discomfort, wear a supportive, snug-fitting bra, take acetaminophen if needed, and apply a cold compress to your breasts. When your body senses you are not expressing your breast milk, it will stop producing it. Approximately 10 days after giving birth, your hormones will get back to the way they were before your pregnancy, and your breasts will stop producing milk.

Low Milk

Not nursing your baby enough can reduce the amount of breast milk you produce. According to BabyCenter, feed your baby at least eight times per day to keep up your milk supply. An incorrect latch-on technique or estrogen-containing birth control pills can also reduce milk supply. Observe your baby to tell whether he is getting sufficient nutrients. Keep track of his weight, stool, diaper usage and overall mood. Consult your pediatrician to set your mind at ease, if needed.

Bottle

If you are ready to stop breastfeeding, use a gradual approach. Replace one breast feeding session with a bottle feeding session. Gradually replace more breast feeding sessions until your baby is fully weaned. During this transition, your body will slowly reduce the milk production process, and eventually, your breasts will stop producing milk all together.