Development of Breast Milk While Pregnant

Being pregnant is the most magical time in a woman's life, both physically and emotionally. Growing a child isn't the most easy task, but our bodies were made to withstand all the changes that are going to come during the nine months gestation.

Breasts

The first changes a woman notices upon finding out she's pregnant, is her breasts. They may feel sore and tender, and during the first few weeks of the first trimester her nipples may change a shade or two darker than the norm. Some woman also experience dark or prominent veins across the breasts, which is a sign that your body is pumping double the blood to keep up with that growing baby.

Signs

Actual breast milk won't "come in" until two to three days after your child's birth. Until that time, the magical colostrum or "liquid gold" is what's going to keep your newborn healthy and happy. This fluid is rich in vitamins and immunities and is all your child needs for those first few days. Some woman will develop a leaking breast or two during the third trimester of pregnancy; a sure sign that their bodies are getting ready to produce breast milk.

Milk

While pregnant the levels of progesterone in a woman's body are turned down low, so that her milk doesn't come in and go to waste. When a woman gives birth the levels go down, and a colorful mix of hormones go to work to ensure that the mammary glands are hard at work on a steady supply of breast milk for the baby.

Arrival

You will know when your breast milk is in, by the way you feel. You may wake up one morning and find that your breasts are rock hard, and have doubled in size since the night before! This can be painful at first, but it's your bodies way of telling you that things are going as planned.

Child's Role

Your child plays a huge role in breast milk development. Pregnancy brings on a slew of new hormones and body changes that prepare the body, but the suckling of a child is what encourages the "let down" that so many woman talk about post-pregnancy. Encouraging your child to latch onto the breast upon birth and the days following is extremely important in milk production.