From Foremilk to Hindmilk: A New Parent’s Guide to Breast feeding
Breastfeeding is a journey, and one of the most common concerns parents face is ensuring their baby gets the right balance of foremilk and hindmilk.
What’s the difference?
Foremilk: This is the milk a baby receives at the beginning of a feed. It’s light, high in lactose, and helps with hydration.
Hindmilk: As feeding progresses, milk becomes creamier, richer in fat, and essential for baby’s growth and weight gain.
Common feeding challenges:
Sometimes, babies get more foremilk than hindmilk, leading to fussiness, gas, or green frothy stools. This can happen due to an oversupply of milk or short feeding sessions, where the baby doesn’t nurse long enough on one breast.
Practical steps for balancing foremilk & hindmilk:
✅ Ensure a deep latch so your baby effectively drains the breast.
✅ Feed on one breast per session to let your baby receive the full range of milk.
✅ Avoid switching sides too soon—let your baby nurse for as long as needed.
✅ Manage oversupply by expressing a little milk before feeding.
✅ Experiment with different nursing positions to slow milk flow if needed.
By following these tips, you can create a more comfortable feeding experience for both you and your baby. Every feeding session brings you closer to a stronger bond, and finding what works best for you is all part of the journey.
Ready for Personalised Support on Your Feeding Journey?
At City Osteopathy, we understand that every parent and baby is unique. If you’re facing breastfeeding challenges or want expert support in navigating the early stages of feeding, our team is here to help.
Our experienced practitioners take a holistic, patient-centred approach—supporting your body’s natural rhythms and offering tailored guidance to help you and your baby thrive.
Whether you need assistance with latch issues, managing milk supply, or simply want reassurance that you’re on the right track, we’re here to walk this journey with you.
