Breast storage and the Magic Number

Breastfeeding works by supply and demand: take milk out, make more milk. Leave milk in, make less milk. This feedback loop between baby and breasts works around the clock, reliably keeping production running.

But there is another factor at play which you might not be aware of. It explains why breastfeeding frequency can vary so much between mothers.

We are all unique.

And this uniqueness includes what goes on inside our breasts. While we focus a lot on the size, shape and appearance of breasts we really don't think about how they function. Breasts produce and store breastmilk. But while the amount we produce gets all the attention during breastfeeding the amount we can store is rarely discussed. And the variation between individuals is dramatic.

When your storage space is compact ... say you have a tiny pantry in your kitchen, you need to shop little and often. But if you have extensive pantry with ample room, you can shop in bulk and do so less often. You still consume the same amount of food each day but your shopping habits are different because of your storage availability.

This is how it works with breastfeeding. If your milk storage space within the breast is compact, your baby shops (feeds) little and often and your breasts restock frequently. But if you have extensive storage capacity, your baby can shop (feed) less often and your breasts restock less often.

This is not related to breast size but how they work. A very small breast might have huge storage capacity and a large one very little. Or the opposite. Babies simply feed as often as they need to meet their needs around the clock. It works perfectly - unless interfered with by clocks, schedules, charts and measurements.

Find out more about the research behind this and what has been referred to as The Magic Number.