If you are a new parent and your baby is breastfeeding, this article will help you understand the difference between foremilk and hindmilk. Foremilk is the milk that comes first in a feeding session. Hindmind milk is what’s leftover after the foremilk has been consumed. The two types of breast milk differ nutritionally because foremilk contains less fat than hindmilk, which means it takes longer to fill up your baby’s belly with this type of breast milk. If your child seems hungry or fussy more often than not, they may be consuming more foremilk than hindmilk for their main source of nutrition – something parents should pay attention to since an infant needs both types of breast milk.

The difference between hindmilk and foremilk

The milk at the beginning of a feeding is known as foremilk, whereas the milk at the end of a feeding, which has a higher fat content, is known as hindmilk.

Your breast milk will gradually change in a feeding or pumping session. As the breast empties, fat globules begin to release and move down the milk ducts. As a result, as the feeding goes on, the milk gets richer in fat.

What is foremilk/hindmilk imbalance?

An imbalance of foremilk and hindmilk is called foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. This condition occurs when an infant consumes too much of the watery, low-fat milk (foremilk) and not enough of the high-fat content milk (hindmilk).

A baby with this problem is often fussy or seems hungry at the breast more than usual despite frequent feedings.

What are the symptoms of foremilk/hindmilk imbalance?

Symptoms of foremilk/hindmilk imbalance include:

-Frequent feedings in an attempt to satisfy hunger

-Colic like symptoms

-Green stools

-Excessive weight loss or trouble gaining weight

-Diarrhea

-Constipation

-Irritability or fussiness

How to prevent/correct foremilk/hindmilk imbalance?

There are a few things you can do to prevent or correct an imbalance of foremilk and hindmilk:

-Make sure your baby is latched on properly. If your baby is not latched on well, he or she may be consuming more foremilk than hindmilk. If you are having a hard time getting a deeper latch, meet with a lactation consultant for some help.

-Allow your baby to completely empty the breast before switching to the other side.

-Feed your baby more often. The longer time spent between each feeding will allow your breast to fill up with more foremilk.

Is Foremilk better than Hindmilk?

In general, foremilk has a lower amount of fat than hindmilk, and throughout a whole feeding, your baby will consume all of the foremilk and hindmilk they require.

How do you know if baby is getting Hindmilk?

Fortunately, this isn’t something you need to worry about. If your baby is gaining weight appropriately and producing wet and dirty diapers, there’s no need to worry about foremilk or hindmilk.

Foremilk/Hindmilk imbalance

Some may be concerned on having too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk. This is when the mother’s milk has much more watery milk and the baby isn’t consuming enough of the fatty milk.

The lactose overload in infants can be caused because their bodies have undigested lactose and can be irritable to them. These symptoms could be related to not consuming enough higher fat milk.

What causes the foremilk/hindmilk imbalance?

Lactose overload is not uncommon, however, can be identified surprisingly quickly.

Fat slows down milk as it flows through your baby’s stomach. If your baby has a lot of milk that is low in fat, it may travel through his digestive system more quickly than the lactose can be broken down.

When a baby consumes a large volume of human milk, this can happen when the time between feedings is too long or when a mother has more milk than she needs.

When should you be concerned about an imbalance?

If you are concerned that you are producing enough breast milk but there’s not enough fat, speak to a lactation consultant.

If you see that your baby’s growth has stalled, they have green stools, and they are consistently fussy, then it would be beneficial to have a doctor provide medical advice.

How do you fix lactose overload?

Here are some ways to fix a foremilk and hindmilk imbalance.

-Make sure your baby is latched on correctly and that he or she is getting enough of the fatty hindmilk.

-If your baby seems hungry after breastfeeding, try to breastfeed more often so that they are taking in more hindmilk.

-Wait until your baby has emptied the breast before switching to the other side or just feed on one side for each feeding.

-Let your baby stay on one side until they have stopped drinking before you pull them off to burp or change their diaper.

-If you are unable to get a deeper latch, seek help from a lactation consultant in person or online for some assistance.

-Pump until the milk flow has slowed down then when the baby drinks they will start closer to the high fat milk.

How long does it take to get hindmilk?

As the breast empties, the milk flow slows and gets richer, releasing the hindmilk after 10 to 15 minutes of the first milk let down.

How can I produce more hindmilk?

Feeding babies more often and longer will up your supply causing more hindmilk. As soon as you stop nursing or pumping milk you will build up the foremilk.

If you have a surplus of milk, try to pump and store it for future use.

If your baby is not gaining weight or having problems with digestion, speak with a lactation consultant about how to increase hindmilk production.

What are the benefits of hindmilk?

The fatty hindmilk is what provides most of the calories and nutrients in breast milk.

It is packed with proteins, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids that are important for your baby’s growth and development.

Hindmilk also helps to satisfy your baby’s hunger, so they’re less likely to be fussy or hungry between feedings.

Babies who consume more hindmilk tend to gain weight more slowly and have fewer digestive problems.

Final thoughts

If you are breastfeeding your baby it is important that you understand the difference between foremilk and hindmilk. Foremilk is the milk that comes first in a feeding session and it is low in fat content. Hindmilk is the milk that is left over after the foremilk has been consumed and is high in fat. The two types of breast milk differ nutritionally because foremilk contains less fat than hindmilk. If your child seems hungry or fussy more often than not, they may be consuming more foremilk than hindmilk for their main source of nutrition. If you are concerned that you are producing enough breast milk but there’s not enough fat, speak to a lactation consultant.

Be sure to read How to Increase Your Supply with Power Pumping and What You Need to Know About Baby Growth Spurts