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Breast milk changes in appearance and composition during the months of
breastfeeding as the photo below illustrates.
Breast Milk at 3, 7, 25 and 84 days post-partum
(Photo courtesy of Wellstart International)
Colostrum
is a thick, yellowish milk that is secreted by a woman's breast in
the first several days after delivery.
It has increased concentration of calcium,
potassium, proteins, fat-soluble vitamins, minerals and antibodies.
The volume is approximately 100 cc's (3 oz.) in a 24-hour period.
Due to its high concentration of antibodies,
this milk is particularly valuable for infants in
preventing infection.
Transitional milk
is secreted between about four days and ten days postpartum.
It is intermediate in composition in between colostrum and mature milk.
The volume increases during this time.
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