My sister just had her first baby and she is having a hard time getting her milk to come in. Any secrets??

Question

We have tried pumping the colostrum to try to get the milk to come in. I know breastfeeding goes by supply and demand. Any vitamins, or excercises, anything would help.

Answer 1

try to keep the baby by your sis, as long as possible, the bonding and love will definately get milk for the baby, i don't think any supplements are necessary. Secondly it also depends how you are trying to feed her, a proper position to feed is necessary, keep the baby sucking and definately your sis will be able to feed the lil one.don't worry, it happens with almost everybody.

Answer 2

How old is her baby? Was the baby born vaginally or by c/s? It normally takes 2-4 days for the milk to come in. During that time, the colostrum should be plenty for the baby. Baby's tummy is only the size of a walnut...s/he doesn't need a lot of milk at once. Small, frequent feeds are what baby needs.

Do not worry if she isn't getting much by pumping right away. Colostrum is nearly impossible to pump because it is so thick and sticky...but the baby should be able to get it just fine by nursing at the breast.

Sometimes it takes just a little on the longer side for a mom who has a c/s to get her milk to come in.

NURSE NURSE NURSE. After the first couple of days the supply and demand process kicks in. The more she nurses, the more milk she'll have. She should be nursing AT LEAST every 2 hours around the clock right now. Breastmilk digests in about 90 minutes.

Make sure she is eating and drinking plenty of fluids. Make sure she is resting when the baby sleeps. She should have skin to skin contact with the baby.

Call La Leche League or a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to see her if she is still worried.

Answer 3

How long has it been since she had the baby? If you are still within the first few days, then it's not supposed to be in yet, and the baby will be just fine on the colostrum. Beyond that, definitely keep pumping. I recommend Medela's Pump-In-Style if you are planning to breastfeed for more than a month or two. I didn't work, but it still was such a much better quality machine that it was worth the extra expense, even though I wasn't really having to save my milk.

There is a natural supplement you can try called fenugreek. You can buy it at any local health store, perhaps even in your Wal-Mart. It doesn't taste good and it only gives a little boost, but it does work. This last time I was pregnant, my doctor prescribed some medication for me that has the side effect of increasing milk production. Unfortunately I don't remember the name, but they were very small pills. They worked VERY well. I never made very much milk, but when I took these I was able to feed my daughter and still pump some at different times in the day, so I could leave milk with a babysitter or just not have to breastfeed in public every time.

That much being said, nurse that baby as much as possible! Pumping is good, but no replacement for the stimulation of the actual child. Nurse, nurse, then nurse some more. It will even itself out in a couple of weeks. Also, make sure that the baby is latching correctly. That will keep the pain down (it always hurt me until my nipples got conditioned to it) and it will better stimulate the milk. Most hospitals have lactation consultants who are more than happy to help you figure all this stuff out, or call you OB/GYN.

I encourage you to nurse as long as possible, but be aware that your body may have its own ideas. Despite every effort, I was unable to nurse past 7 months with my daughter, and 8 with my son, because my body just quit making the milk...period. I really wanted to make the first year, but I couldn't, and you can't beat yourself up about it. Do the best you can, then do what you have to. Good luck!!

Answer 4

Drink drink drink water. Also, the colostrum is very important for the baby. They should be getting every last drop of it. My milk didn't come in till the 5th day, but it is fine. She will feel like her baby isn't getting enough, but the colostrum is really high calories and fat. Just a few drops of it is like a half ounce of milk.

You could check your health food store, there are a lot of products out there that are suppliments for milk production. She could try one of these, but when her milk does come in she isn't going to want any more of it. I woke up and had rocks in my shirt, and spent 3 days doing nothing but pumping and nursing. (engorgement is not fun, it is PAINFUL)

Answer 5

first, let the baby suckle AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. the action of the baby's mouth works lots better than pumping, and will get your sister's milk flowing faster. also, the closeness of the baby and the bonding between them will help the milk flow too.

second, make sure your sister is drinking enough fluids and eating enough calories. this is not the time to try to lose weight!

third, don't worry. my milk didn't come in until 5 days after the birth, and in the meantime my son lost 1 lb. 2 oz. he gained it all back within a week after my milk came in, and he turned out healthy and strong (and very, very big).

good luck and DON'T GIVE UP! :)

Answer 6

try and put a warm compress, and drink a glass of water right before breastfeeding. Getting plenty of water is really important for her and the baby. If the compress doesn't work, try hopping in the warm shower for a minute, it will relax her and the warmth again will bring in the milk. tell her to also get comfortable. many times the baby will feel the mother's tension when her body is twisted in an odd way. try that. Good luck to her!

Answer 7

Ask her to gently pinch her nipple if there is a bit of milk, then the milk has come in and it is a technique situation, if no milk shows, her glands could be blocked. Either way she should consult a lactation consultant.
keep in mind with a newborn, the milk does not look like milk, it looks more like water, it will thicken as the baby grows.

Answer 8

Definitely call the lactation specialist at the hospital. The baby may not be latching properly. Also, be sure mom is drinking enough fluids, especially water. Try not to get too anxious about it. Make sure the baby is not dozing off while nursing. Let nature take the time it needs.

Answer 9

Fenugreek worked wonders for me.

Dr. Jack Newman is a leading authority on breastfeeding and his pages are easy to read and understand. You can find more information here:

http://www.drjacknewman.com/

Answer 10

Let you sister relax. She maybe having some kind of stress becasue of which shes is not able to lactate. it is natural for every new mother to breast feed the baby she will do it in due course once shes relaxed. And i believe there are medicines for enhancing lactation. tell her to ask her gyne.