Breastfeeding/Breast Milk

Foremilk This is the milk that flows from the breast at the beginning of feeding. It is watery and high in protein.

Hindmilk Rich in fat, this milk is the milk that is excreted during the “let down” (ejection of milk) process of breastfeeding.

Colostrum This is the initial milk that begins to be developed during midpregnancy. It is packed with nutrition and has a thick, creamy yellowish fluid with concentrated amounts of protein, fat-soluble vitamins. It also contains antioxidants

Transitional Milk It is light yellow in color but is more copious than colostrums and contains more fat, lactose, water soluble vitamins, and calories.

Mature Milk Is white or slightly blue tinged in color. It is present in 2 weeks postpartum and continues thereafter. The contents of mature milk are 13% solids such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and 87% water.