Help! when did milk come in for BF moms?

I had DD on Oct. 2 via csection and am trying to BF. i know i have colostrum but my milk isnt here yet. hospital said it should be by Sat. (day 4) and my mom thinks its weird its not here. what do i do??? is this abnormal??? should i buy a pump to stimulate?? thanks.

nada yet and DD fussed all day at breast yesterday prob because she was hungry and wasnt getting anything so i gave her formula because she lost 5 oz in hospital. I'm feeling lost and frustrated. I had one day with a knowledgeble nurse in hospital and had colostrum at that time. i dont know if i still do - i dont see it???

Message edited 10/7/2007 8:49:34 AM.

Re: when did milk come in for BF moms?

gave birth on monday(scheduled c-section) milk came in Thursday morning.

Re: when did milk come in for BF moms?

About 6 days later.

Re: when did milk come in for BF moms?

Mine came in about a week or so later. I had a c-section + an infection, so with the antibiotics and everything else it took longer.

Re: when did milk come in for BF moms?

With both pg's my milk came in 4-5 days PP. Totally normal

Hang in there, colustrum is enough right now for baby, when it comes in you'll know, i wouldn't stimulate

Re: when did milk come in for BF moms?

colostrum is SUPER good for them, so even if DC is getting that, it's enough. They get enough to sustain them until your milk comes in.

But I rented a hospital grade pump to help along the process of my milk coming in. The lactation consultant suggested I do that. Pumping can't hurt

Message edited 10/6/2007 10:54:49 PM.

Help edit below - Re: when did milk come in for BF moms?

thank you! yesterday was a bad day. i dont see the colostrum and she would latch and get fussy/agitated (prob because she's hungry and getting nothing) so i have her formula because she lost 5 oz in hospital and i'm afraid she'll be too hungry. Now i don't know what to do because i need her to suck. i only had 1 day with a knowledgeable lactation nurse in the hospital so i'm ignorant to this. i'm afraid baby will get so accustomed to bottle she won' take breast at all -- what do i do? thank you

Re: Help! when did milk come in for BF moms?

It might take a little longer but keep trying. Also try to avoid caffine because it does dehydrate you and drink lots and lots and lots of water.

Re: Help! when did milk come in for BF moms?

I think sometimes it takes longer if you have had a C-section. The other girls already gave you some great advice. I would say just make sure you are putting her to the breast and not replacing any feedings with formula (if you feel you have to give her formula after she's been at the breast that's up to you). Stimulation = milk production.

If you really feel you're having a problem get in touch with a good LC. If you truly want to breastfeed you will be able to succeed.

Re: Help! when did milk come in for BF moms?

My milk took almost a week to come in! We took DS to the pediatrician when he was 3 days old because he was losing a lot of weight, screaming non-stop, and jaundice. The ped told me to nurse him for about 20 minutes to stimulate milk production, then give him a bottle of formula. So if you're going to give your daughter a bottle, nurse her first so you don't lose the milk. Can you call a lactation consultant or do you have a nursing hotline at the hospital to help you out?

The first week or so is so difficult because you don't know if the baby is getting enough. Hang in there - your milk should eventually come in.

Re: Help! when did milk come in for BF moms?

I delivered at 12:40 am on the 8th and on the 10th by the end of the day my milk was definitely in. But I pumped 3-4 times a day in the hospital on the 8th (got drops of colostrum), the 9th (drops of colostrum and maybe some milk by late that night), the 10th (got like 2oz per boob by the end of the day).

If I were you I'd try pumping, just so you know how much is coming out (for peace of mind).

I'm sure you'll have milk, I think I read that it is very rare that it doesn't come in.

Re: Help! when did milk come in for BF moms?

I had c/s's and my milk came in in the hospital both times. I think you may be sabbotagging yourself by giving her formula. You are telling your body you don't need milk.

I would get a hand pump (or try hand-expressing) until let-down. Then dc won't be frustrated when latching on, since you did the hard work for her. also put her on when she's not super hungry - then she won't be as upset if let-down takes a little bit of time.

losing 5 oz is nothing. It would only be a problem if she was born under 5 lbs. remember, most babies lose upto 10% of their birth weight in the hospital and it's especially true for BF babies. (one of my ds's lost 10 oz! and no one was too worried)

Re: Help! when did milk come in for BF moms?

You could be sabotaging yourself by giving formula. You need to keep breastfeeding so your supply will increase and your milk will come in. Colostrum is enough for the first few days. Is she having enough wet diapers?

Re: Help! when did milk come in for BF moms?

Don't worry about the 5 oz loss. All babies lose weight after being born and 5 oz is perfectly normal.

DS was a decent size baby (8.5lbs) and the little colostrum he was recieving just wasn't enough to satisfy him. I bf him for 15 min on each breast and followed that with a bottle of formula. After 2 days of this and feeling guilty about giving him a bottle (literally crying while DH was feeding him) I got a pump. I swear it helped speed up my milk coming in.

The best advice I have is to keep putting DD to your breast for feedings and supplement with formula if needed. If in a couple more days you are still having a problem I would contact a LC.

Re: Help! when did milk come in for BF moms?

My milk came in at day 4 and by day 5 I was engorged b/c DD wasn't feeding enough. I used a hospital pump in the beginning. You really should talk to an LC about it; if it's really upsetting you then that's no good for you either. Try contacting La Leche league.

Re: Help! when did milk come in for BF moms?

I gave birth on Friday afternoon, my milk came in on Monday afternoon (I got engorged in a manner of minutes).

Just keep putting DC to the breast every 2 hours or when hungry.

I read that milk supply could be delayed if you had a c-section. 4-5 days PP.

I would suggest you talk to a LC.

Message edited 10/7/2007 3:13:33 PM.

Re: Help! when did milk come in for BF moms?

Mine came in after about 3-4 days. Definitely call a lactation consultant for some help if you think yours hasn't come in yet... they can be so incredibly helpful. Keep working on it, and it will eventually come!!!

Re: Help! when did milk come in for BF moms?

I had dd on a sat and my milk started that monday night. (not a whole lot), now its two weeks later and starting to get alot more. I pumped to help get it going.

Re: Help! when did milk come in for BF moms?

a few days.

Re: Help! when did milk come in for BF moms?

i had a section on sept 24 and my milk came in the 27, i didnt even know until the lactation consultant came to see me b4 i left