Milk Supply?

Question

Is it possible to increase your milk supply before the baby is born? A friend of mine said she went to some LaLeche meetings and got some tips on increasing her milk supply before her daughter was born. She had more milk than she knew what to do with. Has anyone else "prepared" for breastfeeding before the baby was born? I had a difficult time adjusting and keeping with breastfeeding with my first child and would like to give it another try with my second...

Answer 1

DO NOT pump or try to stimulate milk production. This leads to release of oxytocin which in turns stimulates uterine contractions!!!!!! Therefore, preterm labor could follow!!!! The only way to prepare is to just rest, eat right, hydrate and prepare a nice place to nurse that upcoming arrival (a nice chair, soft lighting, footstool, comfortable temperature room, small table for necessities - like water, cordless phone....etc.) You will be there often (nursing) in the first few weeks - every 1-2 hours which will extend in the next few weeks to 3-4 hours. If you are dedicated, you should have breastfeeding success! Best wishes~~I also agree with the midwife above; if you don't have the medical knowledge or right answer...please don't answer!!!!

Answer 2

I'm not sure what the purpose would be. Your body should produce all the milk you need as long as you put baby to breast as often as s/he's hungry.

There are many reasons why bf'ing be difficult. I think the best preparation for breastfeeding would be educating yourself as much as possible and surrounding yourself w/ supportive folk (LLL can be a great resource).

I personally found the book The WOmanly Art of Breastfeeding to be very useful as well as Dr Sears' The Breastfeeding Book. You might try going to LLL meetings before the birth and checking out the breastfeeding discussion boards on Mothering.com and Ovusoft.com .

Remember that, while it's not always easy, but in the vast majority of cases, breastfeeding is successful.

Answer 3

I would *not* do anything to increase milk supply before the baby is born. I don't know if it is even possible, but it would likely make you miserable when your milk came in. Many women have oversupply problems and don't know it. You don't really need a huge milk supply for a newborn, anyway - they have teeny, tiny stomachs. The best thing to do to establish an adequate milk supply is to make sure you are nursing often during the first 2-3 weeks.

Answer 4

I have never heard of such a thing. I didn't think that you even had milk until a few days after the baby was born. My milk came in when my son was 3 days old. Just drinking a lot of water and pumping after feedings helped me to get my supply up so that I could stock pile a little milk before returning to work and keep my supply up while pumping M-F.

Answer 5

Since your milk does not come in until after the baby is born, your friend's claim is questionable. You can increase it after your milk comes in though, usually 2-7 days after birth.

Answer 6

hi there you shouldent pump befor you have your baby it can cause pre term labor the nipple stimulation plus your body will not begin producing milk untill a few days after your baby is born for now you have colostrum and if you express you may get a little out at a time but its not worth it because of the preterm labor risk goodluck
oh one last thing like one numb nuts said your body wont stop producing colostrum untill after the baby is born it wont run out thats so funny some people should educate themselves if they are going to answer a question like this.

Answer 7

Thin gis you don't know what will happen this time. You may have just enough milk or too much milk! And that is not fun either, quite painful.
Let nature take it's course. Your body will produce what your baby needs.

Answer 8

I just wanted to give g g a thumbs up on the answer, but I don't have enough points to do it. I whole-heartedly agree with what she said. The colostrum is THE most important thing you could give your new baby, it is so GOOD. The baby may want to nurse more often early on, but that is also what helps your uterus contract down to it's normal size and decrease the blood flow. It helps both you and your baby. And hey, what better time to spend getting to know your baby anyway. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

whats up... there are worse things you ought to scent like than maple syrup! that is a normal area results of the fenugreek. To me, it type of feels unusual that your lactation representative ought to indicate taking herbs in case your provide change into effective. it may really have the different result, taking your son longer to get to the fatty hind milk. i ought to truthfully no longer favor to bypass decrease back to the uber-leaking even with the actuality that! I leaked until eventually my daughter change into 8-9 months previous because it change into! only a side be conscious about the burden income element... is there really a reason he desires to attain weight extra right away? some toddlers are merely meant to be small and not in any respect all toddlers shop on with a familiar boost curve. If he's satisfied, in the different case healthy, gaining weight properly and proportionately, assembly milestones etc... then there is really no longer something to rigidity about.

Answer 10

You want your milk to come in at babies birth that way your baby will get the culuctrum for the first days and then the actual milk follows & trust me there is more than you know what to do with regardless