how do you know if you have milk?

Question

i have always had an inner fear that i wont be able to breast feed. i am 26 weeks pregnant and all through my boobs have had sore days and tingling etc.. but they have not got an awful lot bigger, not like friends of mine seemed to.. am i worrying too early? it just some people have prem babies now.. what if i did? i dont seem to have milk now?? how does it work?
i am starting to develop the line up the belly today.. well pleased about that :) i think its well attractive :)

sorry i know milk comes in after the colostrum.. it is the colostrum i mean.

Answer 1

My boobs never got bigger! This is my 4th preg. You won't know now if you are going to make milk! everyone make milk after the baby is born. it is just a matter of how much and how thick. Me, I nursed very good with my middle child and had to supple to my other two because I didn't make enough. My cousin made enough but it had no thickness to it, so the baby was gainning anything. Every nursing experience is different. I am sure you will be ok. everything will work out. good luck

Answer 2

Your milk doesn't actually come in until a few days after the baby is born. And when it does come in you will know it....It usually comes in during the night and you will wake up with big wet circles on your PJ's.
As for the line on your belly that is part of pregnancy. Not every woman gets it. But don't worry it is very common. It is just the your skin is stretched and you see the line better than you could if it wasn't.....The line is actually there all the time.....
The good news is that as 26 weeks your baby is viable, which means that if you were to go into labour to today your baby has a chance of living, but not a great one. Every week after this is better and better...Of course a baby born at 26 weeks often would not have the sucking reflex yet and would not be able to breast feed yet.
It sounds like you have a lot on your mind...I would suggest that you kept a list of questions and concerns that you have and take it to each of your doctor's appointments, that way you don't forget anything. Also I would suggest that you pick up a copy of What To Expect When You Are Expecting. Lots of information in that.

Answer 3

Your milk won't really come in until 3 or 4 days after the baby arrives. First you produce colostrum, which is a clear liquid. It's very good for the baby.
The demand the baby makes while feeding is the trigger to start your milk production.
Don't worry. Your breast will get big enough when you do breastfeed. If you don't think you are making enough milk, there are always herbs that can help you.
The lactation specialists at the hospital recommended FenuGreek tablets for me. They can be found at stores like The Whole Food Market. Three pills twice a day turned me into a cow!
Best of luck.

Answer 4

Congrats on the pregnancy! I, too, have a little bun in the oven - 20 weeks Monday. It's my second, so I can offer you a bit of advice on breastfeeding and lactation.

You will not get your proper milk in until 2-3 days after you give birth. Up until then, you will only lactate something called colostrum, which is a thicker, cloudy/clear liquid. It has all the vital antibodies that your baby will need in its first months of life. You generally don't start giving off colostrum until soon after the baby is born, but you may notice a little bit of it leaking from your nipples while you are pregnant. I wouldn't worry if you don't, it isn't an indication of any inability on your part to breastfeed your child. Most women are happily able to breastfeed thier babies.

Answer 5

I'm 33 weeks pregnant with my first and I haven't had any leakage etc from my boobs at all.

I got worried as my mum wasn't able to breastfeed and I was scared that it would be the same with me.

I tried giving my nipples a gentle squeeze and got a little bit of fluid out. I haven't done it since as I've heard it can bring on premature contractions. You could try doing the same - you have to sort of squeeze from behind the nipple.

My mdiwife said that not all women have leakeage and that milk doesn't usually come in until 2 to 4 days after the baby has been born.

I've got the line up the belly too - cool isn't it?!?

Answer 6

When I was pregnant I had leaking of the colostrum at about 30 weeks for a day and then nothing until after I gave birth. As long as you don't wear a wired bra because they can block your milk ducts (if you have done up til now I don't think it will matter because I wore them upto about 28 weeks). Your milk comes on demand from your baby anyway. If you are really worried speak to your midwife when you see her next. If your not seeing her for a while call the community midwives team or doctors whatever is applicable. Best thing is not to worry while your are pregnant.

Answer 7

Your body doesn't produce milk until the placenta is disconnected, even then you produce clostrum (sp) for a few days which is vital for the baby's immune system.

It begins when your baby is born, whenever your baby is born youf body will kick in...the more you worry the less milk you have.

About 2 or 3 days after birth, you'll produce milk. If, by some chance your baby is premature, which I don't think it will be, but if, you can pump with a breast pump until the baby is strong enough to nurse....

Most people don't have milk at 26 weeks......

I'm glad you're concerned....it is a huge thing and the HARDEST thing you will ever do.....my son was very hard in the beginning and I was convinced he was starving (he'd nurse for hours).....I called my mother-in-law crying that if God wanted me to nurse He should have put little ounce markers on my breasts so I'd know my son was eating. She gave me the best advice...."Stick it out, it will get easier every week." IT DID!!!!!!!!

I never was one who "enjoyed nursing" and I felt badly about it....I thought it was a pain in the butt, but I did it for my baby because it was best for 8 months....I thought I was a bad mom because I didn't cherish the bonding moments......of course he ate all the time.....Some moms love it though.

By the way...TMI but I was flat chested most of my life and my son was in the 90th percentile while I nursed....

Check your local hospital or your local breastfeeding support network.

Good Luck!

Answer 8

when I was pregnant I only had to get in the bath and my boobs would start to leak I had to wear breast pads from about 20 weeks because it was so bad. After I had my baby I chose to breatfeed but I had problems my son wouldnt feed of the left side and when I tried to express I got nothing out don't know why and the midwives were no help at all I felt a failure but had to think of my baby so went to formula I now ave a 10 month old who is very advanced for his age so don't know what I worried about. Your milk will come in I just hope you dont have the same problems I had.

Answer 9

Your milk doesn't come in until AFTER the birth altough your body is getting ready for it right now. For the first few days after the birth you will produce a sticky icky substance called colostrum that baby needs. I leaked this for weeks before giving birth, other woman have nothing until the actual time - everyone is different!

Breastfeeding is the best - we all know that but remember you have a choice and if it isn't working for you then don't feel bad about going on to the bottle. If you need to, speak to your midwife!

Answer 10

Don't panic :) It's a normal concern for new mothers. Your milk supply doesnt come in until 2 to 4 days after you deliver. Before that it's colostrum that provides the baby with antibodies to help build the immune system. Trust me, once your milk "lets down" the first time your boobs will feel like they've doubled in size :) Try to relax, everything will be fine.