Is there a way to give a baby human milk and not formula after birth?

Question

I read that true breast milk usually comes in about 3 to 4 days after the birth of the baby; however, a baby needs to eat way before then. In a situation like this, what can a mother do if she wants to breastfeed, but her milk is not coming in until several days later??? (Note: she does NOT want to give the baby formula). Thank you.

Answer 1

I think you may be confused as before the milk comes in the breast give off a special substance that helps the baby with its immune system. I havent known any cases of babies starving due to the mothers milk not coming in for a few days. When they discribe the milk coming in it is usually because by about day 3 of the baby sucking the mother has more milk than she knows what to do with, but that doesnt mean the baby is going to starve before that.

Answer 2

Before your breastmilk comes in you have colustrum--which is all the really good stuff that the baby needs until your milk comes in. No formula needed, just give the boob and all will be good. The nursing helps the milk production kick in. Oh, and when it does kick in, be prepared for the engorgement. Your body doesn't know how much to make at first, so it can be pretty painful. Take some hot showers and let the milk leak out that way and it will help with your let down and make your breasts a little less overpowering for the baby. Also, some cold packs on your breasts makes them feel really good during engorgement too. And the engorgement only lasts for a few days, so don't worry about it too much. And don't pump while engorged. If you pump and empty your breasts completely, that tells your body that your baby needs that much milk--plus, a baby is far better and getting your milk production going than a machine. Oh, and formula isn't that bad. I didn't want to do formula with my baby, but I was left with no choice--he's half and half now. Because I'm a working mom and do a lot of pumping, he gets a lot of his feeding through a bottle and I just couldn't keep up with the bottomless pit that is his appetite. If formula was bad, they wouldn't make it for baby's. If you're worried about the cost, you can usually get some cans of formula from your pediatrician's office.

Answer 3

Does that mean there is false breast milk?

Before the milk comes in, there is a substance produced called colustrum. This is considered "foremilk" and is more than sufficient for a baby for the first little while.

If she is very concerned, she could start hand pumping to try and begin the process a little faster. The more she expresses, the more the milk will come in. Some women begin lactating weeks prior to birth, and others (such as myself) won't feel "full of milk" until well after the birth.

Keep in mind that breastfeeding can be a difficult process. I would buy a few tins of formula for emergency. There is nothing wrong with supplementing if there is a problem.

Check out Laleche League for more tips.

Answer 4

It is normal for a woman not to get her breastmilk in for 2-3 days. However, she is producing colostrum and this is what the baby is getting until the mature milk comes in. Colostrum is full of antibodies and nutrients that baby needs right after birth. The more often she nurses the more her body will be signaled to produce. I would suggest that your friend speak with the hospital's lactation nurse with any concerns she might be having. She should also find out about her local LaLeche League. This group was so helpful and supportive when I was still nursing. In the beginning it can be difficult to nurse, but she doesn't give up it will be worth it for her and her baby!

Answer 5

she can breastfeed immediately. i breastfed my son. i know that what is there to feed the baby right after birth is a solution that is thinner than the milk, but it is very good for the baby. to begin with, the new baby will only nurse for a few minutes per side and the baby will increase the time on the breast as she needs more food. each feeding time will come up about every two hours. this is the most natural way to feed a baby and little ones that are breastfed are much healthier than those who are not.

Answer 6

You still need to breastfeed. It is the sucking motion that helps the milk come in. The baby does get nutrition during this time from "Colostrum."
This special milk is yellow to orange in color and thick and sticky. It is low in fat, and high in carbohydrates, protein, and antibodies to help keep your baby healthy. Colostrum is extremely easy to digest, and is therefore the perfect first food for your baby. It is low in volume (measurable in teaspoons rather than ounces), but high in concentrated nutrition for the newborn. Colostrum has a laxative effect on the baby, helping him pass his early stools, which aids in the excretion of excess bilirubin and helps prevent jaundice.
Sometimes the milk comes in earlier. Good luck new mommy!

Answer 7

Colostrum comes in first before the milk, which does take a few days. That's what you would feed your baby to begin with. It's very good for them

Answer 8

Your breasts produce colostrum beginning during pregnancy and continuing through the early days of breastfeeding. This special milk is yellow to orange in color and thick and sticky. It is low in fat, and high in carbohydrates, protein, and antibodies to help keep your baby healthy. Colostrum is extremely easy to digest, and is therefore the perfect first food for your baby. It is low in volume (measurable in teaspoons rather than ounces), but high in concentrated nutrition for the newborn. Colostrum has a laxative effect on the baby, helping him pass his early stools, which aids in the excretion of excess bilirubin and helps prevent jaundice.

When your baby is breastfed early and often, your breasts will begin producing mature milk around the third or fourth day after birth. Your milk will then increase in volume and will generally begin to appear thinner and whiter (more opaque) in color. In those first few days it is extremely important to breastfeed your newborn at least 8-12 times each 24 hours, and more often is even better. This allows your baby to get all the benefits of the colostrum and also stimulates production of a plentiful supply of mature milk. Frequent breastfeeding also helps prevent engorgement.

Your colostrum provides not only perfect nutrition tailored to the needs of your newborn, but also large amounts of living cells which will defend your baby against many harmful agents. The concentration of immune factors is much higher in colostrum than in mature milk.

Colostrum actually works as a natural and 100% safe vaccine. It contains large quantities of an antibody called secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) which is a new substance to the newborn. Before your baby was born, he received the benefit of another antibody, called IgG, through your placenta. IgG worked through the baby's circulatory system, but IgA protects the baby in the places most likely to come under attack from germs, namely the mucous membranes in the throat, lungs, and intestines.

Colostrum has an especially important role to play in the baby's gastrointestinal tract. A newborn's intestines are very permeable. Colostrum seals the holes by "painting" the gastrointestinal tract with a barrier which mostly prevents foreign substances from penetrating and possibly sensitizing a baby to foods the mother has eaten.

Colostrum also contains high concentrations of leukocytes, protective white cells which can destroy disease-causing bacteria and viruses.

The colostrum gradually changes to mature milk during the first two weeks after birth. During this transition, the concentrations of the antibodies in your milk decrease, but your milk volume greatly increases. The disease-fighting properties of human milk do not disappear with the colostrum. In fact, as long as your baby receives your milk, he will receive immunological protection against many different viruses and bacteria.

Stomach capacity of the newborn
When mothers hear that colostrum is measurable in teaspoons rather than ounces, they often wonder if that can really be enough for their babies. The short answer is that colostrum is the only food healthy, full-term babies need. The following is an explanation:

A 1 day old baby's stomach capacity is about 5-7 ml, or about the size of a marble. Interestingly, researchers have found that the day-old newborn's stomach does not stretch to hold more. Since the walls of the newborn's stomach stays firm, extra milk is most often expelled (spit up). Your colostrum is just the right amount for your baby's first feedings!

By day 3, the newborn's stomach capacity has grown to about 0.75-1 oz, or about the size of a "shooter" marble. Small, frequent feedings assure that your baby takes in all the milk he needs.

Around day 7, the newborn's stomach capacity is now about 1.5-2 oz, or about the size of a ping-pong ball. Continued frequent feeding will assure that your baby takes in all the milk he needs, and your milk production meets his demands.

sigh. Please read some baby books before this baby comes into your world. please.

Answer 9

Let the baby continue to suck her breasts. She is producing products the baby needs for nourishment. The milk will come in a lot faster if the baby suckles.

Best wishes.

Answer 10

the true breast milk will come in in about a day. it's very stressful to cope with when the baby is hungry and colustrum is not enough, even if it's only for a day.

contact the great and nonjudgemental people at lalecheleague.org