question on breast feeding?!?!?

Question

This is my first she is due March 27th. I want to breast feed as i think it is the best choice for baby and me:) and the most healthy.
My ? is when does the milk come in? And is there anything i can do to better my chances at making sure my body produces plenty of it???
Thanks!

Answer 1

You may already have colostrum now. Your milk will come in about 3-5 days postpartum. Until then, the colostrum is perfect for baby. It is rich in nutrients and works like baby's first immunization.

Keep in mind that baby's tummy is TINY. (Just the size of his fist.) And breastmilk digests in about 90 minutes. They need to nurse OFTEN in the early weeks. AT LEAST every 2 hours around the clock. During growth spurt times (around 10 days to 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 6 weeks) baby may want to nurse even more and that is normal.

Breastfeeding is all about supply and demand. The more often you nurse, the more milk you'll make. You can't nurse your baby too much.

Sleep when your baby sleeps. Drink plenty of fluids. Eat as well as you can, but you don't need a perfect diet. You'll probably be very thirsty and hungry early on as you establish your supply. (I was more hungry in the early weeks of nursing than when I was pregnant!)

Consider visiting your local La Leche League group now to meet the Leader and begin to form a support system for after the birth. You'll be more comfortable calling with questions if you have met her now. You don't have to pay to attend meetings and the Leader will help you for free if you have questions, concerns or problems.

See the Lactation Consultant while you are in the hospital and get her to check your latch and positioning.

Use Lansinoh on your nipples to help prevent dry, sore or cracked nipples.

Answer 2

Your body produces an early form of breast milk called colostrum throughout your later pregnancy. Sometimes this will leak out before your baby is born. However, the first time your milk will actually come in is 2-3 days after the birth of your baby. Before that your baby will drink the colostrum which is thicker and more yellow than breast milk. There is not a lot of it but it is full of important vitamins, nutrients, and antibodies. You do not need to do anything special to produce enough milk, your body will naturally do that. The more your baby nurses, the more milk you will produce. First time moms often have some trouble getting the hang of breast feeding, it is not near as "natural" as one might think. Combine that with a baby who might not be too adept at figuring out how to latch on properly or suck productively and you end up with some frustrating times. Take advantage of the lactation consultant at the hospital. Ask questions and ask for help if you feel you aren't doing something right. Go to the bookstore or the library and read up on breast feeding. Pick a book that has some good photographs so you can get an idea of proper breast feeding technique. Ultimately, you and your baby will settle into a breast feeding routine, but don't be disappointed or discouraged if it takes up to 6 weeks or even more to feel like you and your baby both know what you are doing. Breast feeding is a supply and demand system. The more your baby demands, the more your body supplies. So, in those early weeks, be prepared for your little one to want to nurse frequently, even as much as every 1-2 hours. That is all normal and not an indication that you are not producing enough milk, but a normal process to build up your milk supply. I have successfully breast fed 4 babies. Breast feeding is an awesome experience. I loved it. My last 2 children I was able to breast feed exclusively until they were 6-7 months old and continued to breast feed until both self-weaned, one at 11 months and one at 14 months. It is a great choice.

Answer 3

You may start leaking a little before the end of pregnancy and it will be colostrum. The baby doesn't need any nutrition at first but your body will be making plenty of colostrum. This clear yellowish liquid is chock full of immune system boosters and aides and gives the baby plenty of liquid to rid its digestive system of meconium. 2-3 days after the baby is born, you will start producing milk, and you will make plenty of it. The best thing you can do to ensure a good supply is to nurse for a good long while and nurse often. Let the baby nurse for at least 10-15 minutes on a side (or right breast this time, left breast next time) and nurse every 1.5 hours to every 3 hours making sure that your baby nurses or you pump at least every 3 hours.
It is awesome that you are choosing to breastfeed, I just stumbled on a pretty fun site with a lot of videos and pictures:
breastfeeding.com check it out. It has videos of latching on and positioning and all the other things that the books just don't describe well enough. There is always LaLeche League and you can of course email me if you have other questions.

Answer 4

It normally takes 3-6 days to come in and trust me you will have plenty of it. The reason many women feel they don't "have enough" Is because the baby isn't draining the breast properly. If you have any issues your local hospital should have a lactation consultant you can talk to many even have meetings for breastfeeding moms. For the first few weeks you will probably have so much milk that you will leak everywhere so be sure to get the pads. they are well worth the money. I recommend the reusable because you will go through tons of the disposables.

If you have anymore questions check out the book "So that's what those are for" It really helped me out

Answer 5

You have a question concerning Breastfeeding? I had six kids and I breastfed all of them until they were two yrs. old, when your child is born, after about three days, your milk will come in and do not worry if at first there is no milk for the baby, you will have some fluid in your breasts that will be nutritious for the child. The only problem with breast feeding is when your nipples get sore when the baby starts to suckle, but I am sure if you ask your Doctor about it, he will tell you what to do about that problem. Congratulations on your becoming a Mom and give the Baby lots of Love.

Answer 6

Milk comes in on 2-4 day after giving birth, although you do produce colostrum for your baby before then, so you'll be able to feed the baby before your milk comes.

The best way to increase your milk supply is to nurse often. The more you nurse the more milk you will produce. Although if your baby feeds regularly, you should be making enough milk, and your body will adjust by itself.

If you need to boost your milk supply urgently, get Fenugreek or Blessed Thistle capsules, they are proven to increase your supply within 24 hours.

And by the way, drinking plenty of water for making more milk is a myth... drink to your thirst, not extra!

Answer 7

What a great question...breastfeeding is the best for the baby only if you able to care for yourself properly to be able to provide for your baby. The nurses in the hospital will help you with how you are supposed to hold the baby and it may feel awkward which is normal, practice or ask the nurse to show you a different position. Its their job so don't be afraid to ask for help.

I breastfed 3 out of 4 of my kids and it was one of the most rewarding things I did for my children.

Things I recommend:

Drink 12 glasses a water per day
Get at least 8 hours sleep, take a nap when baby does.
Do not supplement with formula unless your doctor tells you to, you will get told to do both by everyone.
Don't exercise or have sex until after your 6 week check up or if you have to have a c-section (I had 2) not until you ASK at your 6 week check up but they may recommend waiting 8 weeks.
Fact: Your milk will leak during sex and orgasm, so be prepared to have nursing pads or a towel handy.
Eat what you normally would eat while you were pregnant because you have to keep up a certain amount of calories, I'm sure you will get paperwork on it either from the doctor or hospital.
Do not use body soap on your nipples because soap has a agent it is that dries out the skin of the nipple which could make them sore, crack or bleed. Your nipples may be sore in the beginning anyway because of baby sucking, but they will toughen up fast.
To clean the area after nursing use warm water and then you can buy nipple cream in the baby aisle to keep them comfortable, but don't apply the cream before the baby nurses and always wipe any residue off!

Advice: Do not smoke or drink alcohol, it comes through to the milk. Garlic can also make the milk taste bad to the baby. Try to limit sugary drinks and chocolate. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies and I have heard not to eat too much fish, I would ask your doctor about that.

There is something that you will probably get a lot of comments on is to pump. I pumped with my 12 y/o because I felt that I wasn't making enough milk. I produced too much milk and my breasts got huge and sore. Let the baby nurse at least 20 minutes each side, burp and then switch and that should fill her up. Once she starts going through growth spurts, she will want to nurse longer and the act of nursing tells your body to make more that is why pumping is not a good idea cause the baby will not eat it all and your body will be too over worked in making extra milk. Which in turn might turn you off from breast-feeding and start relying on a bottle.
I sound like I am being negative, but learning about breastfeeding for the first time can be scary and frustrating so you need to know how it is from someone who has gone through it and I am being honest with you.

Another suggestion: Don't breastfeed while there are people watching you (only your partner in the beginning) until you get comfortable holding the baby in the position that is best for both of you and have a shawl/drape of some sort to cover up with. You noticed I put partner up there? Let your partner be involved...watching his daughter feed will be a rewarding experience for him too. Since you will be feeding and bonding the closest to the baby, let daddy cuddle, diaper and help bathe whenever possible. He may be a little nervous, so assure him that he is doing fine.

Your baby will be weighed often in her first few months so that will tell the doctors if she is getting enough to eat by how much she is gaining.

Finally, your milk will come in a clear-yellowish color and then turn to white, that resembles skim milk.

I know you will get a lot of advice coming from everywhere, trust your gut and take weird things with a grain of salt and if in doubt ask the doctor or nurse on duty.

Congratulations

Answer 8

Most of what everyone else said here is right... and I would just add DRINK WATER. Your body needs to replace what it is putting out. Keep up with a good diet like you do while pregnant, keep taking the prenatal vitamins, and drink, drink, drink - especially if you are nursing in the summer.
Congrats! And you are making a great choice. I have 4 (the youngest is 4 months) and it has gotten progressively easier with each. Don't be afraid to call the maternity floor at your hospital if you have any questions after you go home - they have always been a fantastic help to me. Also, the La Leche league at http://www.lalecheleague.org/ is fabu-lous.

Answer 9

Your milk will come in about a week after childbirth. The liquid you produce right after delivery is colostrum and is very good for your baby. Its full of antibodies that can protect him/her from getting sick.

Also, to produce enough breast milk, make sure that you are feeding your baby on demand. That means any time he/she wants to feed. Usually, that will be every 2 hours or so.

Make sure you don't provide an artificial nipple (bottle). This can create "nipple confusion" and your baby may stop nursing altogether.

Answer 10

My milk came in three days after I had my baby and as long as your baby keeps sucking your body will produce enough milk. My baby is three and a half months old and I'm still breastfeeding and producing enough milk. Also, pumping after your milk comes in will help the pain, but don't pump too much because your body replenishes the milk that you pump, which makes you leak alot!