Hindmilk

Hindmilk
Detailed definition of the term hindmilk in relation to breastfeeding.
Lysozyme and Breast Milk ...

Hindmilk - The breastmilk that a baby gets after the first few minutes of nursing. The milk is lower in volume, but higher in calories and fat. The less milk in the breasts, the more fat and calories.

' These mothers have heard about “foremilk/hindmilk imbalance.' If your baby cries a lot, does not seem very happy, seems hungry all the time but is gaining weight well, has green stools or spits up a lot more than is typical, ...

This may interfere with your baby getting enough of the calorie-rich hindmilk, which your baby gets more of as a feeding continues on one breast.

At every feed your milk will include foremilk and hindmilk. The foremilk is a thirst-quenching drink, high in lactose (milk sugar) but low in fat, while the hindmilk that follows on is higher in fat and very important for your baby's growth.

It changes during each feed, from a watery foremilk to a thicker, creamier hindmilk. It's also good for you, helping your womb contract, and protecting against breast and ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis.

" Whichever type your baby is, it is important to let him/her choose when to let go of the breast, as this self-detachment will increase the amount of higher fat/higher calorie milk (hindmilk) your baby takes in.

See also: Pregnancy, Nipple, Breast Milk, Newborn, Latching