I want to breastfeed, but my milk hasn't come in and I am giving birth any day now?

Question

I wanted to breastfeed my first child, but after I had him, my milk still hadn't come in, so there was nothing for him when he tried. It came in 3 days later, but by then he was on the bottle and attached. I am due to give birth any day now and my milk still hasn't come in, and I would really like to breastfeed. No leakage of colostrum, no soreness, nothing. I had my first by csection, and will try a vbac with this one. Will this make a difference, and if it doesn't, what can I do?

With my first one, I did try to breastfeed, but he didn't anything when he tried and got upset and started crying because he was hungry. I am worried that this one will be the same and won't have the patience to try to bring it down.

Answer 1

Lactation (milk production) starts 50 to 73 hours AFTER birth. So don't worry! You might or might not notice colostrum prior to delivery. However, the first few days after delivery, colostrum is what your baby will receive. Just breastfeed and the milk will follow.

Answer 2

Theres some information out there that says that drinking Red Raspberry leaf tea helps with milk production.. although, as everyone else has been saying here, your milk wont come in til after you give birth (usually 3-4 days after birth, however it has been shown that the use of epidurals in labor can cause this to take a day or two more) .. The hormone that causes you to start manufacturing milk isnt even produced until you deliver the placenta. First you will have colostrum, which is only in small amounts (we're talking teaspoons, not ounces).. In those first few days it is extremely important to breastfeed your newborn at least 8-12 times each 24 hours, and more often is even better...

Also, i got this from La Leche Leagues web site for ya... so that you dont worry about having to use supplements for the baby -

When mothers hear that colostrum is measurable in teaspoons rather than ounces, they often wonder if that can really be enough for their babies. The short answer is that colostrum is the only food healthy, full-term babies need. The following is an explanation:

A 1 day old baby's stomach capacity is about 5-7 ml, or about the size of a marble. Interestingly, researchers have found that the day-old newborn's stomach does not stretch to hold more. Since the walls of the newborn's stomach stays firm, extra milk is most often expelled (spit up). Your colostrum is just the right amount for your baby's first feedings!

By day 3, the newborn's stomach capacity has grown to about 0.75-1 oz, or about the size of a "shooter" marble. Small, frequent feedings assure that your baby takes in all the milk he needs.

Around day 7, the newborn's stomach capacity is now about 1.5-2 oz, or about the size of a ping-pong ball. Continued frequent feeding will assure that your baby takes in all the milk he needs, and your milk production meets his demands.

Answer 3

Your milk always comes in at least a day or two after the birth. It will not come in before. Some women don't leak colostrum, but do still produce it. You can try to breastfeed the next one, and if this one still has the same trouble, go ahead and use the bottle. If your milk comes in after a few days, just try again then, and try to pump in the meanwhile. Infants often can learn to go from the bottle to the breast, so it's always worth a try. If he or she won't take it, just keep offering for a few days and pump for that each feeding that it's refused. You can use the breastmilk from that session for the next bottle if it's refused. That's the only advice I can offer, though. Your OB or a lactation specialist will probably be able to do better.

Answer 4

Before birth you only have colostrum. That's enough for the baby in the first few days. My milk came in on the 4th day after delivery. I was told the more I nursed the faster it'll come in. My baby lost a few ounces in those first few days but nothing life-threatening. Breastfeeding is about supply and demand. Let the baby nurse from the start. Soon you'll be lactating like there's no tomorrow!

Answer 5

Normally your milk does not come in until 3-4 days after the birth. The first few days you will only secrete small amount of a slightly yellowish/clear fluid that the baby feeds on til the milk comes in. Don't be concerned, few people realize that babies are NOT born hungry. They are born filled with nutrients and fluids (which is why they always look swollen after birth) that can sustain them for up to 2-3 days. The little bit of fluid that you will be feeding them with until your milk comes in is all they need. Just drink lots and lots of water and be patient. You can also research more thru La Leche league, a great website for breasfeeding. Good Luck !

Answer 6

At first you will only have colostrum and no sensation of "full" breasts. This is normal. I could have sworn that my baby was getting absolutely nothing because there was no evidence of it (no leaking, no change in my breasts after she had nursed, and she wanted to suck constantly) - until she spit up what seemed to be quite a lot. My "real" milk came in on the third day, and then there was no question. She gained a whole pound over her birthweight in the first two weeks. Don't give up - breastfeeding is such a rewarding experience, but nothing about it is very easy in the first few days and weeks.

Answer 7

First, what happend with your first was the way its supposed to happen. Birth trtiggers the whole process.Before your milk comes in your breast had colustrum and thats whats has your antibodies in it. The baby may have had a difficult time with latching on. The hospital needed to get you a nursing coach.
Most maternity nurses know how to help.
Milk will not come in until after birth so relax there is nothing for you to look for yet. Just keep putting baby to the breast and I guarentee mother nature will take over.

Answer 8

I have one child, via c-section, my milk came in I think 1 or 2 days after the fact. Actually, it was after we got home from the hospital, so I'd say like 4 days after the fact. Don't stress out sweet heart. I had no leaking or anything either and it hit me like a train in a matter of minutes...freaky! That was quite a day.

Answer 9

Awww I totally understand, this happened to me too. My milk didnt come in until day 4, with my second child. He was a 10 pound baby and there was NO WAY he was going to wait. I know none of can tell you for sure if your milk will come in when your baby is born, but if not..please dont beat yourself up. You can still have a very healthy baby when bottlefed, I know I did. But I understand your wanting to. I had bought nursing clothes and everything because I was determered to do it with my second ( didnt work for my first either, he could suck the pain of a wall) gl hun and take care of yourself and baby.

Answer 10

you should start using a breast pump immedately after giving birth. The hospital loans them to you and if not they charge a very minimal amount of maybe 5 dollars a day. Then I would suggest that you buy your own breast pump or take home the hospitals. I know it's not ideal but it will produce the milk sooner, that is what I did.