What are signs that a mother's milk is coming in?

The indication that a mother's milk is coming in is characterized by fullness in the breasts and leakage of milk. This occurs as the body transitions from colostrum, the initial form of milk produced after childbirth, to mature milk. When a mother’s milk comes in, her breasts typically feel fuller and more engorged, which is a direct result of increased milk production to meet the infant's needs.

Leakage of milk can also happen as the milk supply increases, often when the infant is nursing or even at times when not nursing, such as when hearing a baby cry. These physiological changes are clear signs that the body is working effectively to provide nutrition for the newborn.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the process of milk coming in: decreased breast size and tenderness or a reduction in appetite do not signify the onset of mature milk production, while breast tenderness without any noticeable size change can happen for various reasons and may not be specific to the increase of milk supply.