When Does Milk Develop During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, a triumvirate of hormones -- prolactin, estrogen and progesterone -- prepare your mammary glands to make milk. Following delivery, your estrogen and progesterone levels drop, but prolactin levels remain elevated to support breastfeeding. The mammary glands may make small amounts of milk during pregnancy, but an infant's suckle is required for serious milk production.

  1. Stages of Milk Production

    • Breast milk is produced in three stages -- each type of milk with a unique makeup to match your baby's developmental needs. The production of the first type of milk, colostrum, often begins in the final weeks of pregnancy, but not always. If your mammary glands are making colostrum, you may notice drops of thick yellow or white liquid oozing from the nipple or see milk crusted on the nipple when you wake up in the morning. Colostrum production continues for several days after delivery. The mammary glands then produce transitional milk for two weeks and mature milk for the remainder of breastfeeding.

    Tandem Nursing

    • Some women choose to breastfeed a toddler for an extended period and will continue making milk throughout a pregnancy. Although the La Leche League International considers tandem nursing completely safe, talk to your physician about breastfeeding during pregnancy.

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