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Expert Q&A
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| By Ann Calandro BSN, RNC, IBCLC Lactation Consultant | ||
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I have been breastfeeding for seven months. My niece just had a baby Monday. She has been pumping her breast milk, because her son wasn't released from the hospital with her. Her milk came in on Wednesday. This morning when she pumped, out of one breast the milk was chunky looking. She called me to help, but I never had this happen to me. Could you please help us?
Hopefully by now your niece will have thinner milk. Usually milk is thicker in the beginning days of lactation. The colostral milk is sometimes a lot different than the mature milk. If it looks a little chunky, well, that's the way it's supposed to be for now. I have heard of milk looking stringy sometimes, but that is usually due to mastitis in the breast. Even then, the milk is fine. I doubt that there is any problem at all with your niece's milk. It will also separate if she lets it sit out or puts it in the refrigerator for a while. That is the cream separating out. Do you think that could be what she is seeing? Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Ann Calandro, RNC, IBCLC"
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