You're never walking alone with FIL on your breastfeeding journey!

But who is FIL? 

Feedback Inhibitor of Lactation (FIL for short) is the enzyme in your milk, which, when milk is left unremoved in your breast breaks it back down, and informs the milk-making headquarters that the milk isn't needed...

It's natural to believe that leaving your breasts to get "full" will mean more milk for baby...or that a more engorged breast after a missed feed might even be a good thing as that must mean lots of milk for baby to take!

But the opposite is in fact true! A full breast simply gives FIL lots of ammunition to cut back on milk production because the customers just aren't showing up at the door! 

So...keeping FIL in mind, frequent feeds (or removal of milk in whatever way you can or need to, even if via a pump or hand expression) right from the moment baby arrives and responsive feeds throughout, is the way to keep FIL informed that the milk delivery must keep coming because customers - your nursling(s) - are keen! 

Were you aware of FIL?