Question
A 28-year-old new mother who is breastfeeding wants to know when the milk production peak occurs.
Answer
The milk production peak can be divided into two stages: the foremilk and the hindmilk. The foremilk is produced first during each feeding, typically in the first two to three minutes. It contains abundant water, proteins, lactose, vitamins, inorganic salts, and immunoglobulins, providing essential nutrition and immune protection for the baby. The hindmilk, on the other hand, contains more fat and is whiter in color than the foremilk, offering a large amount of calories to help the baby grow and develop fully. Understanding the characteristics of these two stages can help mothers breastfeed more effectively and promote the healthy growth of their babies.