The breast milk the baby gets at the beginning of a feeding session is called the “foremilk,” which is more watery and high in volume but low in fat. As the feeding progresses, the fat content of the milk rises steadily as the volume decreases. The milk near the end of the feeding is low in volume but high in fat and is called the “hindmilk.”
While there are two different names for the two types of milk, there’s no magic moment when foremilk becomes hindmilk. As the baby breastfeeds, the increase in fat content is gradual, with the milk becoming fattier and fattier over time as baby becomes closer to draining the breast.
Same goes if your pumping. Your less fatty, more translucent milk (and sometimes bluish) will be at the beginning, while the fattier, thicker part of the milk comes towards the end of draining out the breast. Best thing while pumping is to pump until breast is completely drained (no more milk is able to be pumped) and that will ensure plenty of fat in your feeding.
Why is this good to know?
This information could save you from colic or gas discomfort from baby. In the past, it was reccommended that each feeding be done on both left and right breast. The first half the feeding done on one side, while you finish on the other- all to ensure proper milk supply and avoid engorgement. But with many moms, if you do this the baby may never get the hind milk, the fattier part of the milk which is easily digestible. If baby is only getting the foremilk it can be hard on digestion, making it discomforting for baby. If this is the case for you, it may be best to completely empty one side of the breast with each feeding, and just swap sides on the next feeding.
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