Is there anything I can do to make breastfeeding easier?

Question

In my first pregnancy, my milk came in too late and my daughter wouldn't latch on. Is the fact that I am at 32 weeks and not leaking colostrum again an indicator that my milk will come in late again? Is there anything I can do to make sure I will have a good milk supply? Drink more milk? Eat less chocolate? Or is it out of my hands?

Answer 1

When (or even if) you leak during pregnancy has NOTHING to do with when your milk comes in postpartum and what your supply is like.

It normally takes 3-5 days for your milk to come in. Prior to that, you'll have colostrum. Your colostrum should be PLENTY for baby in that time period. Remember that his tummy will only be the size of his fist! And since breastmilk digests in about 90 minutes, it's normal for him to be eating what seems like all the time in the first few weeks.

Milk supply is all about supply and demand. To get your milk to come in postpartum, you need to be nursing frequently. AT LEAST every 2 hours around the clock. The more you nurse, the more milk you'll have and the quicker your supply will come in. NOTHING else will work to boost supply if you aren't nursing often enough to start with, so nursing frequently is the most important thing you can do.

Have a Lactation Consultant or a La Leche League Leader check your baby's latch soon after birth to make sure it is good. This will help make sure things go smoothly. A LLL Leader will help you for FREE and may even be willing to visit you at home with a newborn. Try contacting her now as you'll be more likely to be comfortable calling her for help if you've met her already.

You do not need to drink milk to make milk. Think about it.....cows don't drink milk, do they? ;-) You just need to make sure you are well hydrated. (And anything with caffeine doesn't count towards your daily fluids.) Lots of water, natural juices, etc. Every time you sit down to nurse early on, have a glass of water or something. Carry a water bottle with you when you go out. Eat reasonably well and keep quick, easy to grab snacks on hand. (Fresh fruits, cereal bars, make up a loaf of bread as PB&J and stick them back in the bag and put it in the fridge, granola bars, fresh veggies, etc.)

And I've never heard of chocolate having an effect on milk supply. There really is no list of foods that all nursing moms should avoid.

There are things you can do to boost supply (herbs and such) but the very first thing that should always be looked at is breastfeeding management. Are you nursing often enough? Is baby latched on well? Supported correctly? Etc.

ETA:
Someone mentioned fenugreek above. This is an herbal remedy that you can use AFTER baby is here and *IF* you have problems. Don't start supplements unless you NEED them. DO NOT drink Mother's Milk Tea or take fenugreek during pregnancy. Fenugreek is a uterine stimulant and could cause contractions.

Answer 2

First - RELAX! Stress (even over breastfeeding) can interfere with your milk production. With both of my pregancies, my milk didn't come in until after I gave birth, so I don't think that at 32 weeks no colostrum would be an indication that you'll have problems again.

While at the hospital, make sure that you let the nursing staff know that you're interested in breastfeeding, and that you'd like a lactation consultant. With my first (in 1984), I didn't have any lactation instruction (just a very large nurse grabbing my breast like a lump of hamburger and shoving it in the region of my daughter's face). I ended up with latching problems and cracked and sore nipples for the first two months of breastfeeding. With my second (in 2002), the lactation nurses were so helpful, and I had a kid that latched within 10 minutes our first session, and better yet - no sore nipples! Also, I found La Leche League website to be helpful (www.lalecheleague.org) once I got home.

I did use Mother's Tea, and it did seem to help my milk supply better. Besides, it's so nice to snuggle up with a warm cup of tea while the baby naps (see? more of that relaxation stuff). And drink plenty of water, water, water - both while pregnant and once the baby arrives. Cut out or at least down on the caffeine, too (chocolate, coffee, caffinated teas, sodas). Caffeine is a natural diuretic - you want all the liquids in your body that you can get (and less "flushed" away).

My girls are 17 years apart, and each is so different. The problems we had with the first were not at all the same as with the second. If your first didn't latch, it doesn't mean that this baby won't. Best of luck to you and your newest addition!

Answer 3

It is normal for milk to 'come in ' between day 3 and day 5 AFTER baby is born.. There is not much to do at the moment...if you are worried that supply will be an issue...find some 'Mother's Milk Tea' at a local health food store....or Blessed Thistle or Nettle or Fenugreek also work well...drink about a cup day starting from week 36 on...and drink 2 cups after baby is OUT. Nurse all the time...try and try and try again to get baby to latch it can take a long time at first, baby is not used to this and has to be taught. Ask for a Lactation Consultant to come to your room at the hospital...find out if your insurance will cover another home visit after you are released from the hospital. Surround yourself with people who did this before. Friends, relatives...women who have successfully nursed. You may want to attend a local La Leche League meeting while still pregnant, you will get some good advice there.

Answer 4

I think you just have to relax and don't stress too much about it. Like you, my milk came in late for my first baby and I only felt real engorgement after a few days. I was worried but I shouldn't have been. It was normal and my baby finally was able to get more milk from me. She was healthy and still is. During my second one to whom I gave birth to a few months ago, I also didn't have any leaking before birth. But, as the baby started to feed, he was able to suck out the colostrum and the milk did come faster than it did with my first baby. I think it took only a day or two for my breasts to fill up with milk. They always say on your second one, the milk will come earlier but that does not mean it will come too early such as before giving birth.
Really, don't worry. I didn't have to change anything in my diet. I didn't have to eat or drink more of anything. Good luck with your new baby!

Answer 5

Oh, I am so worried of this happening to me. With my first pregnancy I will overflowing when I was like 6 months pregnant. (my midwife says its like the body gets so excited it can do something new). I could have fed all of Europe with the milk after my baby was born.
You can take fenugreek (but I am not sure if it is good when you are pregnant or after you have baby). There is a new thing (or at least new to me) called Mother's Milk Tea. I have not tried this but have read about it. I am not quite 29 weeks now so I am not too worried as yet but I will look in to this stuff.
Also did you have a c-section or a regular delivery? My second was a 10lb c-section baby and my milk had not come in since I did not labour and he needed to eat yesterday. We stuck to it (with the help of a LC) and we nursed successfully for 15 months when he self-weaned.
Good luck and Congrats!

http://www.tealand.com/MothersMilk.asp

Answer 6

Drink plenty of liquids, maintain a proper diet, don't stress and pump!

From the time my son was born, the nurses had me pump every feeding (3 hrs) to help ensure my milk came in. They had an older machine at the hospital that everyone tried to avoid..."Bessie"...she was sadistic. Since latching was a problem for my baby, I continued to pump at home with a rental from the pharmacy. As effecient as the machine was, I was beginning to feel more like a cow than a mom so I switched to a manual pump by Avent which is portable too. It's amazing what the switch did for my overall mood.

Lastly, it couldn't hurt to get your thyroid levels checked - low levels may impede your milk from coming in.

Answer 7

Contact La Leche League. They can give you more in depth info and get you in with a lactation consultant.
I never leaked colostrum in any of my pregnancies and my milk came in fine-- so its not necessarily an indicator that is the be all/end all.
Good for you in trying again! Its not an easy thing, despite the fact that it is natural.

Hang in there and I wish you the best.

Answer 8

Not sure if you're doing this or have done it, but rub a towel on your nipples so they get callased over, this way when the baby latches on and doesnt get it right it wont be so painful. Also the stimulation might help with milk production. Just keep trying and good luck. I know it's not easy.

Answer 9

the worst thing u can do for your milk is supplement your baby with anything...just keep yourself hydrated...eat your 2100calories a day get lots of rest and relax..i had the same problem my 1st and my second my milk is fine...let your baby basically live at the best for the 1st week or so...i know it is hard with another child at home...but it is the best thing for your milk...the more the baby is on your breast the better your supply will be...I hop everything works out well for u and if u ever need to talk about just email or IM me...i now exactly what your going through...Good Luck

Answer 10

The first thing is to calm down and don't get nervous, relax! The first few days the baby should be allowed to breastfeed as often as he likes, forget about 3 hr. intervals. This will increase your milk production. Drink lots of water and don't be tempted to offer formula, since the baby will find this easier and will no longer want to breastfeed. And no pacifiers either, for the first weeks you are going to be his pacifier (it helps with milk production). La Leche League is a good source for advice, find a consultant in your area. GOOD LUCK!