BF question re: milk coming in

DS was born 4 days ago. I didnt BF at all day 1 bc of c-section ecovery and DS in NICU etc etc.
I started BFing Day 2.

My 2 main questions:
1. Milk def hasnt come in. I dont feel any "let down" sensation or anything. When does it usually come in?

2. How do i know that DS is getting colostrum? Esp since he was FF in the nursey in mid of night feedings (1am and 5am) bc i wa recovering and trying to sleep. SO when he has a dirty diaper, im always afraid its just leftover from the FF. PLus he isnt having many pee diapers.

This is the worst part of BFing. That is the one benefit of bottle feeding, you can SEE what comes out

ADVICE? THOUGHTS?

Thanks

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

Both births were a c/s for me...for #1 milk didn't come in for at least a week. I pumped to stimulate and let DD get colostrum, but also supplimented with formula here and there until it fully came it.

With DD#2 my milk came in by the time I came home from the hospital. She was nursing and getting colostrum and during the night she was FF in the nursery.

I tried to pump when I could in the hospital for more stimulation.

It really depends on when it will come in. The more you nurse or pump, the faster it will though.

If your LO is nursing they are definitely getting colostrum. Maybe only a teaspoon or a tablespoon full, but they are getting it. And it really is enough.

I'm sure EVERything you are doing is fine and that your LO is thriving just fine. Keep nursing and if you have to suppliment until you're milk comes in, that is fine. Then you can stop if you chose when it does.

You will know when it comes in, but don't always judge that by a "let down". I didn't start getting that "let down" feeling until a few weeks ago and DD just turned 1 month.

If you have ANY BFing ?'s you can always call a La Leche Leader in you area and they will be more than happy to help you out

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

1 - I was told that milk starts coming in 3-5 days after birth. Mine came in day #4. I knew from the engorgement and even saw it on the nipple shield. You will definitely know when it happens.

2 - It is very likely that DC is getting colostrum. Keep putting them to breast first to stimulate production and then supplement with formula if you'd like. Thats what I did. If DC is not having many pee diapers I would ask the pediatrician if you should up the formula supplementing a bit. When I was in the hospital I supplemented with many feedings (breast first and then if DS was still bopping around like a lil birdie he got 1-2 oz of formula).

HTH

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

You have to put him on your breast ALL the time.. I sware I felt like she never got off when I first got home.. I was ALWAYS nursing.. Just keep up the good work. I would wake her up to feed her also until I knew she started getting the milk.

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

First off Congrats!

Secondly dont worry too much about not feeling a let down, I never felt engorged or a let down for WEEKS but my dd gained 1 lbs her first week home fro the hospital.

Some suggestions were made to me to help get my milk in asap.

Nipple stimulation as much as possible, Baby, yourself, pump, shower.

Skin to skin contact as much as possible.

warm compresses, milkmaid tea (@ BRU)

The first week was hard, I was sore, and always worried that she was not getting enough, the 1 week visit really helped. If you are super worried you (or DH) can take ds to pedi office for weight checks.

HTH

Edit;
if your going to supplement often and you are concerned about your supply, try a Supplemental nursing system, so you are being stimulated and LO is getting the nourishment he needs.

Message edited 11/21/2009 7:57:35 PM.

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

DC were born at 6:21 and 6:22 on a tuesday night, my milk came in on sunday.
I never felt a let down, I still don't. If you listen you can hear the baby swallowing - thats how I always knew they were getting something.

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

I would definately try pumping to stimulate it. Try doing it jus after a feeding.

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

Never felt let down in the hospital. Gave birth on a Monday by c-section and milk came in on Thursday. I was exclusively pumping of rthe first 3 days because my babies were on cpap then a nasal canula and couldn't BF. I exclusively pumped after about 1 weeks of them at home. Too stressful for me to BF directly with twins

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

I think I'm in the minority that I have NO idea when my milk came in. I never knew what day it happened. Also, in the hospital I have no idea what his diapers were like.

I also did not feed DS the day after birth due to complications, NICU, etc. I put him to the breast and he never came off for a year.

I agree with the others that the more you 'skip' a feeding from your breast (whether in person or pumping), the less of a supply you will have.

If you do decide to pump, don't be discouraged by the amount. I remember being so intimidated by the 2oz bottles and figuring I would NEVER fill them. That changed around 1 month.

And I CLEARLY remember the first time I felt let-down and I had been BF for over 2 months by that point.

My DS was 11 1/2 pounds at birth and he did just fine with the colostrum. Although MIL was determined a big boy like that needed pureed steak in a bottle.

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

my milk came in on day 5. it's true i didn't really nkow what DS was getting, but he seemed satisfied after nursing during those first few days, so i figured he was doing ok!

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

Congratulations!!! My milk came in around day 3 with both girls. It can be tricky in the beginning not knowing how much they are getting, but their bellies are so little and your colostrum should be enough. BFing does get easier - Promise!
GL!

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

Day 6 here!

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

I think mine came in around day 3. My boobs felt really warm and firm. I also had a c-section and it was a rough recovery. I really struggled with BFing and never was able to build an adequate supply. Based on what I went through, I just really urge you to BF directly as much as possible now, and pump too. I now regret skipping nighttime feedings and allowing my DS to be FF at all, although I totally understand how exhausted you must feel. good luck!

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

That IS definitely the most frustrating part about BF, not knowing how much they are taking in - I'd say it's a pretty big reason why a lot of women stop BFing, because of pressure from themselves, DH, family, etc, to FF so you can monitor how much baby is getting.

All I can say is this - it's REALLY hard in the beginning, but try to trust your body. Your baby is getting enough colustrum, and if he isn't, he'll let you know. In the meantime, put him to the boob at least every 2 hours, even during the night. That will give him enough colustrum and will stimulate your milk.

My milk always took a few days to come in - I think it didn't fully come in with both girls until day 4-5. And you will KNOW... trust me, there's no doubt about it.

Hang in there, and if you have any doubts at all, you can always consult with an LC!

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

I had DS on a Monday night via c-section, milk came in on Friday morning. So 4 days or so.....I did not FF at all, I BFed throughout the night at the hospital. Don't worry, he is getting the colostrum I promise. It's so little but he is getting it and that's all he needs so try not to supplement with formula at home, he'll be fine till your milk comes in. Your boobs will get full feeling and heavy most likely, they may also harden and hurt. That's how you'll know. For now, put him in your boob every 2-3 hours automatically and in between if he's fussing. The sucking, whether he's getting anything or not, will help to stimulate production. I can't stress enough the importance of putting him on your boob often. It's tough and exhausting but it will make your milk come in faster.

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

I'm not expert AT ALL but I asked my ped. and the lactation consultant the same question and she & him both said that he'd be screaming if he wasn't getting anything.

My milk came in 4 days later & the way I noticed is that I had both breasts out one day when I was BF and he latched on to one eating and the next thing I know my other breast was leaking all over, I was like OK, I guess I have milk coming in & then that same day he had his first spit up. It happened to be the same day we went to the ped. and he's like YEP, that's your milk!!

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

Everyone gave great advice! I just want to add that I NEVER felt my "let down", "my milk come in" or felt engorged. Some women never feel this so don't go by that to know if your milk has come in or not.

Message edited 11/22/2009 8:12:44 AM.

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

Still EBFing at 8 months old and I have NEVER had a sensation when I have my let down. That being said - you will know when your milk comes in. Mine came in on day 4, so I am sure yours is on its way. I am sure your DS is fine, just keep at it - the more you stimulate your breasts, the more you will create the need for milk. Good luck!

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

I had DS on a Friday afternoon by c-section and my milk came in Tuesday night. I knew it came in b/c I was completely engorged and in a lot of pain. DS had been in the NICU so I was BFing and pumping after every feeding. I think the pumping helped my milk come in a little faster. If you're really worried that you're not producing anything, you can always try to pump for 15 or 20 minutes. Don't be alarmed if you don't get much at all. DC's stomach is small right now and doesn't need much to get full.

Try manually expressing a few drops. Massage from the top of your breast down. If anything comes out, you know you're producing colostrum.

Try to put DC to the breast as much as possible. I know you're exhausted and in pain, but the best way to get your milk in and build a supply is to BF. Good luck!

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

Trust the system. Nursing has been going on, well forever That's what my LC told me.

Rarely is it the case that milk doesn't come in...had my c-section on monday, milk came in overly full force on Thursday.

I am most excited this time around about stressfree nursing. Hold your baby, offer boob often, it will improve his latch and he will grow to become a stronger sucker.

Seriously, don't worry until its discharge time and they are sending you home with him. If there is a problem or issue, deal with it then.

Re: BF question re: milk coming in

Question 1: I had c at 6:23PM on Tuesday, milk came in @ 2PM Friday.

Question 2: That will forever be your question while BFing. You will not be confident that DC is getting enough until 6 months, then a teeny tiny bit of your uncertainty will go away.

Hang in there - it does get easier.