Milk Supply "Switch" from hormone-driven to supply/demand

[FREEmom1120]

When does this happen?

[Heba]

*Around* six weeks.

[Heba]

Sorry...that was too quick a reply! I believe the switch *begins* much earlier, but it is typically *around* 6 weeks when mums may notice what they perceive to be a drop in supply but is actually the body regulating supply to demand.

[Little Bear's Mama]

Short answer:

After milk "comes in". Anytime after this point, if milk is not effectively removed, milk production will begin to shut down.

Long answer:

Lactogenesis I: Secretory differentiation--mammary cells differentiate into lactocytes (milk making cells) and colostrum production begins. Occurs about midway through pregnancy.

Lactogenesis II: Secretory activation--initiation of copius milk production. Occurs about 30-40 hours after birth.

LI and LII are endocrine (hormonally) controlled. Even if a mother doesn't plan on breastfeeding and doesn't remove any milk after birth, LII will still occur.

After LII, milk production is under autocrine (local) control. LIII is the maintance stage of lactation. During this stage, milk must be effectively removed in order for more milk to be made. If milk is not removed, production will gradually shut down and the milk producing glands and cells will return to their pre-pregnancy state.

HTH!