Breastfeeding Problem ?

Question

I've been breastfeeding for about 1 week and a half and I'm still producing not producing milk ? Im still producing colostrum, what I wanted to know is how long does it take for milk to come in or what can I eat or drink to produce milk quicker ?

Answer 1

The more you nurse or pump, the more you will produce.

You probably have "transitional milk" right now, which is fine. Trust your body to know what to do.

After colostrum the breast then begins to produce transitional milk, which is whitish-yellow, and more abundant. Gradually, over the next week or two, the transitional milk begins to change to a thin, bluish-white mature milk. Remember that your milk production is directly linked to how often and how effectively your baby is suckling!

So it takes until around 2 weeks postpartum for you to be producing mature milk.

Is your baby having plenty of wet/dirty diapers? Nursing at least 8-12 times per day? How have your weight checks with the baby's doc been? Some weight loss is NORMAL in the first week.....you want to see birthweight regained by about 2 weeks of age.

If you are truely concerned, call your local La Leche League Leader or Lactation Consultant and ask to be seen. The LLL Leader will help you for FREE and may come to your home for such a young baby.

Answer 2

I think you may want to consult a lactation consultant. There may be an LC at the hospital or birthing center where you delivered. Usually, the milk comes in 3-5 days after birth. A week and a half is on the longer side of normal.

If your baby is producing wet diapers, is gaining weight, is in a generally good mood when awake, you could be producing milk without realizing it...sounds crazy, I know. The foremilk can be very watery and clearish, like colostrum, but it is still milk.

If your baby is very fussy, soft spot is sunken in, few wet diapers, weight loss or poor gain, you need to talk to someone ASAP.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Found at the health food store, FENUGREEK and BLESSED THISTLE taken together will help produce more milk. Why do you think it's still colostrum ? Milk at first is pretty watery, until you get the hindmilk it will look more white. If your baby is gaining, and has many wet diapers, in my opinion, you're doing fine. Be sure to drink TONS of water, eat many mini meals and just keep nursing that baby. You can pump in between feeds, but pumping is nearly not as effective as nursing. Good Luck and don't give up, you should contact a lactation consultant at the hospital you gave birth at.

Answer 4

Usually you will produce by now. I would try nursing more often. Usually it only takes 3-4 days. Traditional herbal medicine systems from around the world use herbs known as lactagogues or galactagogues to enrich and enhance production of breast milk. These herbs provide nutritional support and stimulate lactation by naturally stimulating the mammary glands. Stress, malnutrition, and illness can decrease milk supply. If you are really worried try putting a call into the doc. They can help. As long as you are getting wet diapers and stools then you should be alright. Good luck and try not to give up.

Answer 5

It can take a week to ten days for your milk to come in. In the mean time the colostrum you are producing is the best thing for your baby. It has lots of fats-essential for brain development, and lost of antibodies for fighting infections. If you delivered at a hospital, you can call their lactation specialists. If you can't reach anyone at the hospital, you can try La Leche League. It is an independent organization dedicated to helping nursing mothers. I hope this helps.

Answer 6

It normally takes 3 to 5 days for your colostrum to change to 'transitional' milk, before around day 10 the 'final' milk. I think nursing more frequently is the best way for your milk to come in faster.

Answer 7

Just keep plugging away at breastfeeding. It took me three weeks to really feel like I had even a little bit of the hang of it. Your milk is probably more in than you think, but if it isn't, try fenugreek herb supplement. 3 capsules three times per day. Google it so you don't just trust a stranger on the internet!! My doctor recommended it and it worked for me (my son was older though). I would just give it a week or two before you really try anything other than just pluggin away at it. I know that you are probably scared, but it's natural, and both of you will be in a rythem before you know it, even though it feels like ages!! If you want to keep breastfeeding, be careful to never supplemt with formula unless you are pumping at the same time, that wasy your supply stays up. If your baby doesn't gain enough weight and they supplement you with formula, that's OK, too, just keep pumping and keep putting the baby to breast. Eventually you can just do the breast. I just went through all of this. If you have any questions you can email me at [e-mail]

Answer 8

Contact www.lalecheleague.org there is probably a leader who can come by and help you out. Or go to your doctor or hospital or public health nurse.

Are you sure it isn't milk? It isn't like one day you have colostrum then one day milk. The switch is gradual the colostrum gets milkier and less yellow. But the hind milk is often a bit yellowy.

Answer 9

It can take up to ten days for your milk to come in. Drink LOTS of water. There are supplements that can help with milk production, but I've never used them. Contact the lactation consultant at the hospital where you gave birth. She should be able to help more. Good luck!

Answer 10

I don't know of anything to make the milk come in faster except keep nursing. With my new baby my milk started coming in on the 4th or 5th day...then there was too much for about 2 days while my body figured out how much I needed. Sorry, I don't remember when it came in on my first baby.