What does "established" mean?

[toriaaaaTRASH]

I heard that after 3 months your milk supply is "established." What does that mean? :iconredface:

[Mervs Mum]

Is that when your boobs produce it as baby feeds rather than it 'filling up' over time???

[toriaaaaTRASH]

I don't know, I thought so, but if that's the case, why did the HV say I could get more milk by putting her on me more? :iconredface: If it's being produced when she's on there, why wouldn't she just get milk whenever she's there? Rather than being on there more to get more? Does that make sense?

[Mervs Mum]

That HV chats shit.........period.

[toriaaaaTRASH]

You'd think I'd be an expert by now! This breastfeeding milarky is more complicated than midwives make out.

"Here have a leaflet that tells you how to put the baby on your boob. It's that simple!!"

[angpixi]

hey ive breastfed 5 kids and im still learning stuff!

[clairelana]

I'd say established means when your producing the amount of milk that your baby needs.
When your more confident in what your doing, and most people know they will contiune to bf at this point.

[Drusilla]

So when you put baby to breast more, your boobs automatically adjust to make more milk.

They are dead clever, boobs!

[Squiglet]

I would say established is when you are no longer over producing milk. Like when your boobs are no longer hard and full all the time, unless you skip a feed....but if your baby feeds more your body will adjust to meet that demand.

[kay]

They normally say your supply is established at about 6 weeks. This is when your boobs return to 'normal' sqishy feeling instead of rocks. It takes these 1st few weeks for your body to adjust to your babies needs - so your body just focuses on making milk. which is why you get engorged and leak etc.
Once you and baby are settled, its basically a 'supply and demand' - your boobs produce what your baby needs.
If baby starts to nurse more, you'll start to produce more, same if you pump.

[kay]

you may also hear not to pump till your supply is established - this is so your body doesnt get confused.
Its important in the first few weeks that your boobs get used to your babies needs - otherwise you could get oversupply issues.