My wife gave birth 4 days ago but she still has no milk. our baby was premature by a month, and is in an incubator. Does this mean it will take a month to produce milk? or because the baby is not with my wife her body doesn't think it is time to produce? What is the longest one can go with out producing milk and still produce it? Are there any special foods she should be eating? I appreciate any advice my wife is really distraught by the whole situation.
2006-09-11 00:55:02 · 11 answers · asked by ironmonkeyz 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
First of all, congratulations! The advantages to the breast fed baby are great. Second, I wouldn't worry about the milk comming in, but do ask the nurse to send someone to your wife to speak to her about nusing. They have a staff that can help with any and all questions you and oyour wife have. My daughter was 2 months premature and in an incubator for 5 wks. She was healthy, but had trouble gaining weight. I did not nurse her till she was two months old! I had to use a breast pump and freeze the milk and feed her with(in the hospital) a tube that was put into her stomach. Then at home with a botttle. As long as your wife begins to pump, she should have no trouble keeping the milk supply up. The milk will appear to look funny at first, that's because it is called Colostrum, it is clear, creamy to golden-yellow in color and is the best thing for your baby. Although her milk may have already begun to change, but will still be a great source of nouishment for your child.
If your wife is worried that it may "dry up" she can stimulate her breast by gently massaging them. Then if she still can not nurse the baby yet, she should use a pump at the hospital or from the health dept. As I said, get in touch with a nurse and request help.
As for how long one can go without producing milk and still produce, I'm not sure, although it shouldn't happen in a few days. Sorry.
As for special foods, stay away from gas causing foods like onions, broccoli, etc. As they tend to make the baby colicie. Again, check with a nurse for more guidance.They will have a nutritionist help you.
The best thing for you to do is give your wife your full support, help her with anything she asks and all will work out just fine. Don't worry, enjoy your little one as much as I have mine. One thing she can look forward to is Kangarooing. I don't know if your hospital does this tecnique, but it is when the baby has his/her skin touching moms skin(heart to heart). This calms the baby by thier being able to feel and hear moms heart beat as though they are still in the womb. And makes them feel loved. Mom will get a lot from it as well. Sir, I wish you all the best and I will be praying for you all. God Bless!
2006-09-11 01:46:06 · answer #1 · answered by need to know 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Put a piece of clothing like a muslin square or a scarf in with the baby. At the end of the day take it out. Smelling it should help the milk to flow. Similarly, your wife could wear one for the day and put her's in with the baby when she takes the other one out. Then the baby would be comforted by her scent.
Try expressing by the side of the incubator, there will probably be screens avilable for this purpose.
What also worked for me was expressing whilst someone was breastfeeding near me. For some reason my milk came in gallons then!
The human body is an amazing thing. It knows the baby is premature and provides exactly the stuff it needs in the milk. Breast milk after a prem is full of fatty goodness.
Bonding with the baby will also help the flow. Kangaroo care and baby massages are great for this.
What is important is to keep to pumping at regular 3 hourly intervals. This can be really difficult through the night so she needs your encouragement. Keep the pump by the bedside and invest in one of those tiny fridges so she doesn't have to get up.
The best people to ask for advice are the nurses on the unit. They will be able to tell her exactly what she needs to be doing.
2006-09-11 13:53:20 · answer #2 · answered by xoymaq 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So mom and baby are separated? Baby is in the hospital but mom is home now?
Has she been allowed to try to nurse the baby? Is she pumping? She needs to be pumping or nursing about every 2 hours around the clock. It's a supply and demand process, so if she isn't pumping or nursing her body is going to shut down production.
It's normal for it to take 3-5 days for the milk to come in after the birth. Until her milk comes in, she has colostrum which comes in very small quantities, is sticky and difficult to pump. But it's still very important for baby....full of immunities and nutrients.
She needs to be eating to hunger and drinking to thirst. Be sure she stays hydrated. Every time she nurses or pumps, offer her a glass of water. Make sure she is using a good pump too....if she is exclusively pumping then a hospital grade rental pump would probably be best.
Your local La Leche League Leader and the Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at the hospital can help you as well.
2006-09-11 01:08:34 · answer #3 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am really unsure about prem babies. My milk took three days to come in, and I know that';s not unusual. But I think the cue is labour(and the subsequent hormonal changes), aided by contact with the baby, and--this is important--nipple stimulation. Try using a breast pump on each nipple, every hour or so, for several minutes. Other than that, you probably should just check in with your paediatric specialist at the hospital, who no doubt will know something about this. Good luck.
2006-09-11 01:00:18 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Milk should be coming in now, but since your baby's a preemie, there could be a few complications. I had my baby preemie, and I spoke with a "lactation specialist" She told me that I should pump every two hours on the hour and whatnot. In front of the isolette. At home in front of his picture. After we had kangarooed. And I did. The milk never came for me, but that's life, and that may not be the same for you. Tell her to bring the baby to her chest as often as they will let her out of the Isolette, and pump then and there. Thats going to be the best Milkflow. They have privacy screens and such so that it's not embarrassing. Lots and lots and LOTS of fluids. Good luck and Blessed be!
2006-09-18 06:48:54 · answer #5 · answered by Flamingpoptart 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I ended up having an emergency c-section due to pre-eclampsia. My milk didn't come in for another 10 days. I do admit that I opted not to breast feed due to the medications I was required to take to help reduce my blood pressure and did not want to transfer any of the medication to his system.
Have her talk with her attending physician. Most hospitals have a lactation specialist on site or who is attached to the hospital in some manner with whom you can consult.
Good luck and congratulations!
2006-09-11 02:30:13 · answer #6 · answered by cgspitfire 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had my baby on a Weds and my milk came in Sun morning with a vengeance! He lost a lot of weight before it came in, but the doc kept telling me it would come. It did. I didn't deliver premature,though.
2006-09-11 03:21:45 · answer #7 · answered by In Luv w/ 2 B, 1 G + 1 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
on average it takes three days. but if the child is in an incubator and not feeding often you need your wife to massage her breasts and manually extract milk (easier than pumping for now)
2006-09-11 01:02:34 · answer #8 · answered by jazz_thieves 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She needs to start pumping every 2 hours and her milk will come in.
2006-09-11 02:50:14 · answer #9 · answered by aintgivinup79 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends but usually 2-3days.
2006-09-13 11:29:00 · answer #10 · answered by NIKKI 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋