hey everyone.. i had an elective c section on friday as my bub was big and breech! i desperate to breastfeed but we not finding it easy.. today on day 4 i have seen my first very small glimpse of colostrum from my nipple :)
i have been massaging and making him latch on which isnt easy as at first he had mucus which meant he wasnt hungry and then jaundice which has made him sleepy, but he has been a rite little trooper bless him...and he does try!
i wondering how long other people took for thier milk to come in after an elective c section? any good tips?
oh i have found out i am very anaemic today which also isnt help my milk production, so hopefully iron tablets should help quickly...
i refuse to give up without trying everything 20 times to make it work!
so any good advice desperatly needed :) midwives have been great, but looking for any new tips..
2007-01-23 03:58:41 · 14 answers · asked by shelokay 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Hi there - sounds like you are doing pretty well, and I'm glad you have helpful midwives. La Leche League councellors can be useful too.
I agree with the person who said that the more you feed him, the sooner milk will come in. I don't agree with the ones who said "it's ok to give a bottle". Even if your doctor recommends you top up with formula for medical reasons (which is the only reason you need to), it isn't recommended to use a bottle these days as some babies get nipple confusion - it is a different technique to suck on that instead of a breast, which is pretty hard on a little baby! People are supposed to use cups if necessary.
Have the midwives told you, or have you read about correct positioning and latching? I'll tell you what I found useful in case you do too.
I think people have given you some good answers, and I'd just like to add encouragement about speaking to a La Leche League person or Lactation Consultant. If someone can actually Show you some tips on how to hold your baby and get his mouth open wide you should be able to breastfeed without pain. Sometimes a little thing can make a difference - I learnt this with my first. (And it's alot less hassle than expressing!)
No.1 - hold the baby's whole body facing you, tummy to tummy.
No.2 - have his head halfway along your forearm, not up in the crook of your elbow (this was my error!) so that he will be pulling outwards, not sideways.
No. 3 - When he gapes his mouth open wide, aim his nose for your nipple and bring him to your breast (not breast to baby).
No.4 - You should be able to see more of your areola above, by his nose that below his chin. And when he is latched on you can check whether his bottom lip is turned out, I have seen some babies suck that into their mouths and that Hurts!
Remember that the baby is the most efficient at getting the milk out, when you express that doesn't neccesarily show you how much you have. A book I found good (and funny!) was "So that's what they're for!" by Janet Tamaro.
Whew! Hope this wasn't too long for you and that it was some help.
2007-01-23 07:58:19 · answer #1 · answered by Rose 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
with my second c-section it took about 4 days for the milk to come in. You could try holding him differently. You could also see a lactation consultant. I know when I started with my son it took us a long time at least 2 weeks to get the hang of breast feeding. If you let him suck on a bottle for like two seconds, and then put some formula on your nipple that seemed to do the trick for my son. Just make sure he's latched on right, and his mouth is nice and big. Its really tuff when you're first starting but don't give up, its a very nice bonding experience. If you stick with it yo wont regret it. With my first my nipples were bleeding a lot. I recommend buying some lanolin. Good luck.
2007-01-23 04:27:47 · answer #2 · answered by Stephanie W 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a c-section and my milk came in after about 4 days, but I had plenty of colostrum prior to that, which is all your baby needs right now. The best thing you can do is nurse, nurse, nurse. It was very hard for me, but I stuck with it and my daughter has been breast fed exclusively (she is three and 1/2 months and had doubled her birth weight.) Don't give up, keep getting support as much as you can. My advice is to stick with one person that is helping you. If you go to several different people, they will all have a different opinion and you will just get confused and anxious. Get someone who knows what they are talking about and keep at it. Honestly, like I said the best thing was just to nurse as often as you can, and make sure you have a good latch to avoid soreness as much as possible.
Breastfeeding, contrary to popuar belief is NOT, the most natural thing...practise makes perfect, and you may go through several days where you will want to give up, but trust me when I say, It does get better.
Good luck.
2007-01-23 04:23:55 · answer #3 · answered by karina 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Breastfeeding is not always easy with or without a c section. I had a c section with 1st child and found breastfeeding very hard but do not think there was a connection.... With baby n2 it was easier but not easy! I got a lot of help from a local breastfeeding group which was great and a visit from the hospital breastfeeding counsellor - she was a true gem. The NCT also have breastfeeding counsellors so you could try one of them. Get some proper support - to be honest I did not find any of the midwives or health visitors that helpful but it is probably pot luck!
Do not try so hard that you end up feeling distressed - sometimes breastfeeding does not work and it is best to get a bottle and get on with it. I always gave my children a bit of bottle too so that I could leave them with dad and have a break, like this I got some time and it was not a problem to change to bottle later on.
Good luck and whatever you do you will have done your best!
2007-01-23 04:13:00 · answer #4 · answered by Stephanie C 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Even in a normal delivery it takes a little while for it to be milk. I've had 3 babies, 1 natural delivery and 2 sections and I beleive it took a couple of weeks with each. My 1st and 2nd baby both were jaundice as well. The biggest trick to breastfeeding success is lots of patience!! Each baby is different and some seem to never get enough. Just a tip: it's OK to suppliment with a little formula every so often. It won't sway your baby from your breast but may fill him up while you're still trying to get the hang of it. Good Luck!!
2007-01-23 04:12:02 · answer #5 · answered by georgiarose_01 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I had 2 scheduled c-sections.With my first my milk came in within 24 hours.With my 2nd it took 3 days for my milk to come in. Have you tried to pump?? But yeah you need to get some iron pills and just try to breastfeed as much a possible. You could also take some herbal pills called Fenugreek to help your supply. Good Luck I hope it gets better for you!
2007-01-23 04:42:46 · answer #6 · answered by ♥AsH♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
congrats first of all......after me ellected c-section it took about 5 days before my milk came through but once it did there was no stopping it...try the old way of a warm hot flannel on your boobs or even the bath ( this will get it going)..give baby a chance and if all else fails go onto formula, dont feel bad about this option as the formula milks are very good and both of my babies thrived on it and are big fit and very healthy...do whats best for you and try not to get stressed as this wont help...you've done the hard bit getting him here so now have the fun bit!
2007-01-23 05:40:40 · answer #7 · answered by kazza 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say try as long as you feel comfortable with it and as long as your baby is getting what he needs. I gave it the old school try with #3, breastfeeding, pumping both sides, etc. It was so overwhelming, I was sore, the baby didn't latch on correctly and it seemed like I always had the pump attached to me. When #4 was born, I had already decided that it was not worth it, not because I am selfish, but because feeding time was miserable for both of us. It is supposed to be a pleasant, bonding experience for mom and baby. I opted to bottle feed and both of us ended up enjoying our special time together. breast feeding is not for everyone, you be the judge. Good luck.
2007-01-23 04:07:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Just keep going...most ,mothers milk doesnt come in until between day 3 and 5...no matter what kind of delivery it was....it just takes diligence and patience ....baby has to learn as well, it isnt second nature to him either!
2007-01-23 04:17:56 · answer #9 · answered by motherhendoulas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you have a breast pump try pumping, that can help your milk come in. stimulation helps, let your hubby help with that one. an old wives tale says that a drinking a beer will help it too.
when your baby is jaundice they are tired and dont want to eat. put him in sunlight if you can by a window and just keep trying to feed him so he will poop it out. even if you have to use formula. you should go back and forth, it will help you and the baby so that you dont get frustrated.
2007-01-23 04:13:39 · answer #10 · answered by loveboatcaptain 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋