What does the baby eat when you are waiting for your milk to come in?

Question

What if I want my baby to have breast milk but I dont want to breast feed? Do I start using the pump immediately?

Answer 1

I'd highly recommend that you nurse directly at the breast for at least your time in the hospital, if not the first couple of weeks. This will insure that baby gets the oh-so-important colostrum and will also help to bring in your milk supply.

If you aren't nursing at the breast then yes, you need to pump. Colostrum is difficult to pump because it is so thick and sticky. But it is very important for baby to get the colostrum as it's like a first immunization.

Answer 2

Your colostrum is all your (healthy) baby will need for the first few days until your milk comes in. Don't worry if you think it doesn't look like much, baby's tummys are tiny and they do not need a lot at each feed! Plus they feed often. There is no set 'schedule' for feeding at this stage... they will whimper and let you know when they are hungry!!

They certainly don't need heavy formula at this stage. If you are having trouble feeding the baby at the breast you can hand express your colostrum into a little tiny cup and feed it to the baby that way - eliminating the need for a bottle. A midwife or nurse should be able to show you how to hand-express - it's actually pretty easy! A pump is obviously much easier once your milk comes in, if you need it. Good luck!

Answer 3

Colostrum - it's thicker, yellowish, and is available for your baby from Day 1. In fact, for most women around the 7th or 8th mth the colostrum is already in production. That is ALL your baby needs until your milk comes in. The nutrients and antibodies in colostrum are apparently very concentrated, so even the tiny amt the baby takes in is enough. Dont let anyone tell you otherwise. Giving bottles in the early days is a good way to throw a wrench in the entire breastfeeding thing.
And milk can take 3 to 5 days to come in - the more you offer the breast the quicker it usually comes in. Dont be surprised if your baby loses weight in the beg, it's normal to lose between 5 and 10% of the birthweight. I didnt know this until after, so let my mother-in-law give bottles to my girl on Day 3, after she had lost about 7% of her 9.7lbs birthweight. It's not like my girl was starving, she had fat rolls all over her at birth, but my MIL freaked me out with her 'oh, she's lost so much weight!' and I caved. This caused some problems when my MIL left and I didnt give any bottles to her - the sucking required for a bottle and for the breast is completely different, and a newborn can be easily confused. My girl and I worked through it, but I know better for my second baby. Dont offer a bottle before your baby is around 4 or 5wks. Hope that helps!

Answer 4

From my own experience, my baby helped me draw my breast milk in. The baby's sucking is the stimulus to advance your milk to come in. Some people supplement with formula, and that is fine most of the time. Some babies like the formula and then resist the breast and then the milk never comes in suitable enough to feed. Other babies (like mine) took 1-2 oz. of formula the 1-2 times when hungriest and the breast until the milk came in fully. It is really your choice. It is hard to wait, but it is worth it. Good luck...don't give up.

Answer 5

Feed the baby first, while you're in the hospital and until your milk comes in. Then hook up to the pump, this will help the milk come in faster. Once you're pumping at least 2 ounces start bottle feeding the pumped milk

Answer 6

colostrum, they need it. It's the thick stuff coming out of your breast. They eat really often until the milk comes in, it's alot of work to breast feed. Good Luck!!!

Answer 7

your breasts produce a yellowy liquid called colostrum that has all the nutrients that your baby needs until the milk comes it..There wont be alot but enough to satisfy your baby providing he/she doesn't need to be in special care for any reason. when this happens they generally give babies formula along with your colostrum to make their tummies full and your babies tummy will stretch faster and he might become angry with you because hes not getting enough food :) hope this helps

Answer 8

Your breasts secrete a clear liquid called collostrum that lasts about 3 days which is when your milk comes in (approximately). The collostrum is packed with vitamins and nutrients that are perfect for a newborn baby.

Answer 9

Cholostrum which is an awesome source for the immune system. Your baby doesn't need to actually eat for quite a few days...of course feed the baby, but it is just getting used to things!

Answer 10

its called colestrum. it has the nutrients your baby needs b 4 the milk comes in 2-3 days after baby.