With my last pregnancy I never had leaky breasts so I was wondering if I would be able to produce milk this time around.
2006-09-12 10:48:58 · 17 answers · asked by mom_of_3 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Contact Le Leche League, they help with all kinds of questions on breastfeeding. They were very helpful through all 4 of my breastfeeding experiences.
2006-09-12 10:54:14 · answer #1 · answered by MOMMYBEST 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Leaky breasts are an indication of too much milk. Your breasts will produce the amount of milk each day that is needed for the baby, but on a 24 hour cycle. What the baby wants today will be produced tomorrow. So if you feed the baby for 10 minutes per side every 2 hours today, tomorrow you will have plenty of milk.
The baby will suck on the breast until it empties and then will go to the next breast. Let him empty both breasts. If he's still hungry after 15 minutes on the second breast and it's empty, give him some water or something (maybe really watered down formula) to tide him over. Wait about 2 hours (it takes that long for the breasts to refill) and feed him again.
If he is full on formula he won't eat, and your breasts will think they are producing plenty of formula and won't make extra for him for the next day. In fact, they will make less tomorrow because he didn't finish what they produced today. Babies need nothing other than breast milk until they start to develop teeth.
2006-09-12 11:05:14 · answer #2 · answered by Lola 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just put the baby on the breast. Make sure you have a good latch, because a good latch ensures that baby will get the milk. Your baby's diapers will tell you if she's getting enough; if it's coming out, it's going in! :-) Breastmilk production works on supply and demand, so just make sure there's plenty of demand.
Leaking breast, by the way, is not a sign of adiquate milk production; some woemen's breasts just never leak but thier exclusively breastfed babies thrive anyway.
Edited to add:
NEVER give a newborn water! Also, if you ever have to use formula or choose to use it for whatever reason, NEVER water it down! It says this right on the formula cans, for God's sake.
You do NOT have to wait any length of time after breastfeeding to breastfeed again; your breasts are constantly making more milk and are never truly "empty". If your baby finnishes one side, offer the other; if he finnishes that side as well and still seems hungry, offer the first side again.
Try not to watch the clock while nursing; babies will naturally take different amounts of time depending on their temperment and how efficient they are at getting the milk.
2006-09-12 10:59:04 · answer #3 · answered by doxhaelend 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Nearly all women can breastfeed their babies, although there are rare conditions where mother may not produce any or enough milk, but they are far less common than what we think, as some failures to breastfeed are due to poor information being given to the mother. Not leaking milk during pregnancy is not an indication that you won't have milk after the baby is born. Some women don't get engorged and never leak, but they are able to breastfeed their baby without using any formula supplementations.
You'll know your baby is getting enough milk if baby has 5-6 wet diapers a day after day 6 and 3-4 poopy diapers a day after day 6. Please see this link for additional details on knowing if you have adequate milk output for your new baby. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/enough-milk.html
After a baby is born you should breastfeed as soon as possible and do not put baby on a schedule. Feed baby on demand and this will build up your milk supply,.
2006-09-12 10:55:21 · answer #4 · answered by I ♥ EC 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Having leaky breasts during pregnancy (or NOT having leaky breasts) has nothing to do with your ability to produce milk post-partum. Milk production is all about supply and demand. Putting the baby to the breast is what tells your body to make milk.
2006-09-12 12:36:52 · answer #5 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your baby is the best at getting milk out. Just because you can't squeeze any out by hand or pump doesn't necessarily mean it isn't there. Not everyone leaks milk/colostrum during pregnancy.
If you watch your baby while nursing, you may be able to see him swallow.
If he is peeing and pooping frequently, he is getting enough.
If you are really concerned, you can weigh him right before and right after nursing (in the same clothes/diaper) and see the difference.
Just because you didn't make milk/not sure last time, doesn't mean things will be the same. During each pregnancy the hormones continue to cause your milk producing tissue to develop. Many times mothers who had supply issues at first are able to breastfeed subsequent children.
Best wishes to you!
2006-09-12 10:58:18 · answer #6 · answered by Kathryn A 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that leaky breasts are a sign of having milk..... i had milk for the first 3 days, then it was gone, so.... i can't be of much help, but maybe this web page will be of help to you
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020100.asp
Good luck
2006-09-12 10:55:19 · answer #7 · answered by Sweet Sue 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd say so. As you know your milk "comes in" about 3 days after the baby is born. Keep trying! You'll know by the number of wet and dirty diapers your baby has. It will tell you if your baby is being fed enough. If need be stimulate the breasts with a breast pump and warm compresses.
2006-09-12 11:59:10 · answer #8 · answered by d4cav_dragoons_wife84 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
usually the next baby makes you produce so much milk! With my daughter who was my 2 nd I would have to pump because my breast would be sooooo full. That was with exclusiveley breast feeding.
2006-09-12 11:23:35 · answer #9 · answered by anjelahoy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It supply and demand if you don't let the baby suck you wont make milk ,if you put baby to breast the milk will come on the 2-3rd day.
2006-09-12 11:13:27 · answer #10 · answered by stephanie n 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was told in the hospital by my best friends nurse when she had her baby, that the suckling effect of the baby will cause you to lactate if you want to breast feed. It sometimes takes a while for the body understand that milk is needed for the baby. Talk to your doctor.
2006-09-12 10:50:50 · answer #11 · answered by Fairy 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋