During the first six weeks, your milk production is becoming established. We typically count the first six weeks from the infants due date, not always the day they were born. Birth mothers of infants born early for example, 32-36 weeks of gestation often find that when they reach the expected due date of term of pregnancy, they notice one more shift upward of milk production.
After six weeks, or around 42 days of your baby's life, your body has a good idea how much milk the baby will need. So your "milk production line" starts leveling off and producing a volume based on how much milk is removed (known as demand and supply). This continues until the baby is introduced to solid foods around six months, then your supply will slowly reduce based on baby’s decreased milk needs.
After six weeks postpartum, milk production is considered stable. It becomes more difficult to increase milk production with herbal supplements or other conventional methods that are typically used in the early weeks. Sometimes medication to help with milk supply can be introduced under the direction of your primary care provider. That is why the first six weeks postpartum are so important for setting up good milk production.
Around 6-10 weeks, it is common for breasts to feel softer and you may even decrease in bra size. Breasts may stop leaking as well. Your breasts are "normalizing" with your milk production. This can cause some anxiety that milk is “drying up.” However, if the baby is checking all these boxes for a good feeding, be reassured the baby is getting enough milk.
If you checked all of these boxes, your body has become very efficient in milk production and your baby is probably very efficient in feeding. As long as you continue demand and supply, your milk production will provide complete nutrition for your baby.
Even though a baby’s weight continues to increase every day, babies will take about the same amount of milk from 4 weeks old until 6 months of age (or when solids are introduced). The composition of your milk will change based on baby’s needs and age. For example, the milk you make at 8 weeks is different from the milk you will make at 5 months. Your body supplies exactly what your baby needs!It is important to keep in mind your baby will nurse more often during a growth spurt in order to increase your production. This is normal and temporary (lasts 2-4 days) so be on the look out for those weeks that baby seems to want to nurse more often.
Common questions about milk production after 6 weeks:
"I was pumping after a few feedings during the day and occasionally in-between feedings to try to boost my supply. My supply seems consistent now. How do I decrease those pumping sessions so I can focus on just nursing my baby?"
“Do I still need to pump at night if my baby has started to sleep longer stretches?”
"My pediatrician has recommended that we start offering solid foods but now the baby is not nursing as much as they used to. Is this normal?
From 6-12 months, nursing will still be the primary source of nutrition, even though solid foods increase. Your milk supply will slowly evolve to meet baby's needs. We are here to help in any way we can.
