What is the meaning of foremilk and hindmilk?

Many new mothers will find that the color and concentration of their milk are different in the early and late stages when they start breastfeeding. This is the so-called foremilk and hindmilk. So what is the reason? What is the difference between foremilk and hindmilk? The nutritional components are the same. Let me introduce it to you.

When a mother feeds her child, the composition of her breast milk will also change. Generally, breast milk is divided into foremilk and hindmilk, and the nutritional content between them is slightly different. Under normal circumstances, when breastfeeding, the first milk that comes out is called foremilk, which is generally thinner and has more water. It can replenish water and protein. After the foremilk, the appearance and color are thicker, which is called hindmilk. When feeding a child, do not change breasts frequently. You should wait until one side is empty before feeding the other.

During milk production, the fat droplets in the milk adhere to each other, to the walls of the alveoli, and deep in the milk ducts. The let-down reflex is triggered by the baby's sucking or by a breast pump, and the flow of milk speeds up. As the breasts begin to get close to being "empty", more and more fat droplets are squeezed out, and the fat content of the milk increases. The fat content of the milk depends on how well the breasts are emptied. During a breastfeeding period, the fat content of the milk gradually increases over time. The less milk there is in the breast, the higher the fat content.

1. When feeding your baby, you should not switch breasts frequently. You should finish feeding one side before feeding the other side. This way, the baby can absorb the nutrients from the front and back milk.

2. When breastfeeding, more oil will be secreted only after the lactation reaction, that is, after the milk letdown. Therefore, let the baby feed on one breast for a longer time.

3. Some elderly people say that foremilk has no nutrition and should be squeezed out. This is wrong. Both foremilk and hindmilk have nutrients that children need and neither can be lacking.

Hindmilk appears about 10 minutes after breastfeeding. In order for the baby to successfully eat the hindmilk, the mother should pay attention to ensure that the baby is fed on one breast for a long time, so as to ensure that the fetus can eat highly nutritious hindmilk. It is best to empty one breast and then feed the other breast. For low-age babies who eat less, in order for the baby to successfully eat high-quality hindmilk, the mother can choose to use a breast pump to suck out the hindmilk, which can ensure a more comprehensive nutrition for the baby. For mothers with postpartum engorgement or insufficient milk, a breast pump can help the mother empty the breasts and promote milk secretion.