Had my baby! Breastfeeding question

Hello ladies! I had my baby 2 weeks earlier than expected. We were team green and had a boy! He is perfect! Anyway with #1 I had issues with milk production and nursing didn't work out. I want to try again now but I'm on day 3 after having him and there are no signs of colostrum, milk, anything. I had to give him a bottle because he lost too much weight. I've been pumping a few times a day but nothing. How long until milk is supposed to come in? I've seen the lactation nurse 2 times already and surprisingly she hasn't been very helpful and just told me to give him the bottle until I start producing and pump if I want. Any advise is helpful! Thanks!!

Re: Had my baby! Breastfeeding question

I had my girls a week ago and I still feel like I'm not producing enough milk! The first couple of days it was very little colostrom but from what I was told they don't need much those first few days, so whatever you can pump give to them. At 6 days old I was finally seeing some milk being made. I pumped less than 1/2 an ounce in 15 mins. Now at 9 days old I'm pumping 1 ounce. Still not that much but its slowly increasing. I'm also supplementing with formula because they lost so much weight while in the hospital.

The lactation nurses I saw were very helpful. Maybe you can request to see a different one?

Re: Had my baby! Breastfeeding question

First congrats! 2nd, I would def try to see another LC, even if they don't have one there, have someone get you a number and you can call, most don't charge anything for phone calls. I would def keep pumping. With DS #1, I was never able to pump much at all but know that DS got a lot more on the boob though he did lose weight a lot in the start. I would pump and also always put him on you first to nurse even if he is not getting anything out before you give bottles so it will stimulate things.

You could also try some herbal supplements once you get home. More milk plus helped me!

Re: Had my baby! Breastfeeding question

Thank you ladies! I will try and seek another LC and continue puming!!

Had my baby! Breastfeeding question

Keep pumping every 2 hours during the day and 3 hours at night. Thats what the LC told me when my baby was in the NICU so I didnt lose my supply. I hear that if you take fenugreek (herbal supplement) it helps increase production but it will make you smell. Drink lots of water or soup that helps too. GL!!!

Had my baby! Breastfeeding question

Definitely keep putting DC to the breast before you give a bottle. That will likely help get things going better than the pump. Pumping is definitely a skill that takes practice. In the beginning, I would put DD on the left, then right, then back to the left if she still seemed hungry. She also lost weight in the beginning and the doctor suggested supplementing, but we got through it by the skin of her teeth and I never did have to give formula. The milk normally comes in around day 4. I would keep trying, see another LC, and definitely don't give up yet if you have your heart set on BFing! Good luck!

Re: Had my baby! Breastfeeding question

CONGRATS!!!!!!

YOu can try putting to the breast to get that skin on skin contact and (No matter what happens) also pump. Ask for a hospital pump if you are still there. I had DD 3 weeks early and began pumping a few hours after birth as she went to NICU. I remember barely getting a drop out the first 3-4 days and I pumped every 3 hours. But I kept going. Good luck!

Had my baby! Breastfeeding question

Drink 8oz. of water before, during and after you pump.
Ensure you eat ALMONDS or WALNUTS which are rich in Omega 3 Fatty acids
...supply and demand...
dont worry about quantity---ITS QUALITY
use a few drops of formula on your nipple to entice the baby to latch, make sure you have a great latch by squeezing your breast like a hamburger
BABY GOES ONTO your breast not the other way around...
DO NOT GIVE UP...
SKIN on SKIN as much as possible...
pump every 2 hours no less...
WATER WATER WATER,
try chicken soup as well...
DONT GIVE UP,
call me and Ill be happy to help you in anyway possible.
ONLY 3% of women medically cannot breasfeed...
My son was born at 36 weeks via c-section, took 5+days for my milk to come in...
DONT STRESS---
ITS THE MOST NORMAL PROCESS and your body WILL do it, it just takes time...without the guidance and support of my GF, baby nurse and lact.nurse I would have given up and im so glad i did not...

Julie- 516-993-5655 (Exclusively breastfed my son for 2 years) and currently 28 weeks pregnant getting ready for my next!

Congrats on your baby!!!!!!

Re: Had my baby! Breastfeeding question

Take MORE MILK PLUS, it helped me a ton!!!!
Drink mother's milk tea, take fenugreek, all those things helped em a little. DO NOT GIVE UP! That is the most important thing!!!! It's really tough at first but once you get going it's fantastic!!!