is there any way for me to ensure now before i get pregnant,that i will produce milk so i can breastfeed after the baby is here?is there things i can eat or just increase my milk intake?i am already taking prenatal vitamins,have been since Feb 1st,2007.are those enough or do i need to do more and what? (plan to get pregnant around May)
2007-03-28 07:47:10 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
well kudos to you for making such a commitment before yure even preg! The fact is that there is only a very very small precent of women who can't produce enough milk to supply their babys needs and it's pretty uncommon. You don't really need to do anything ight now and after you have your baby you'll realize why b/c your'll be engorged and have WAY WAY to much mik for the 1st few weeks until your body learns how much it realls needs to make. But you should continue taking your prenatal vitamins after you have your baby and eat a well balanced diet! GOod Luck
2007-03-28 07:52:27 · answer #1 · answered by nicole b 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Just eat a healthy diet and exercise so that you will have a healthy pregnancy and baby. It's very rare that a woman doesn't produce enough milk for her baby. I highly recommend taking a breastfeeding class about 2 months before you deliver. Most people assume that it's a natural thing, just like in the animal kingdom. However, many babies need to be taught how to nurse. Knowing how to help a baby latch on properly so they can breastfeed makes all the difference in the world. If a baby doesn't latch on correctly, the milk will not "come down". The baby will get frustrated, quit trying and just cry. At this point, many new moms will get frustrated as well and assume they don't have enough milk for their baby and give them a bottle. I also recommend getting an electric breast pump to have as a back up.
2007-03-28 07:56:55 · answer #2 · answered by Melissa B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dont worry whatever you do before you will still produce milk when the baby is born! its a natural thing that produces hormones after the baby is born and usually on day 2 the milk comes in before that it is called colustrum which is filling for baby and does well till the milk comes in. AFTER the baby is born there are things that can help keep the milk supply healthy by eating the right foods but sont worry you will deffo produce milk for baby after it is born.................... did you ever hear of a dog not having milk for baby??? its natures course you will produce milk whatever you do even if you decide not to breast feed you will produce milk until it dries up however if you are feeding baby then the milk supply remains a constant milk supply,,,,, good luck but dont worry the milk WILL BE THERE
2007-03-28 07:54:04 · answer #3 · answered by Angie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing you can really take to ensure breastfeeding. Cod liver oil is a good supplment for pregnant and nursing moms though (lots of omega 3's for brain development!) and folic acid is really important as well...
The most important things for breastfeeding sucess is support, good information and determination. You already have the last, and the first two are also readily available!
About 99% of woman have the ability to breastfeed. It is very unlikely that you will not be able to if you really set your mind to it and get as informed as you possibly can.
Alot of doctors and nurses know very little about breastfeeding. It is your responsability to know about it and not allow them to do anything that will sabatoge you (giving a bottle, not allowing you to nurse right away etc...)
Some good places to start are
www.kellymom.com
www.askdrsears.com
www.drjacknewman.com
Also, you can join your local LLL and start going to meetings now... you will have someone IRL to turn to with issues. www.llli.com
I highly reccomend that you find an online support group as well... myspace has several (i can reccomend a good one if you like).
Just be as informed as possible and you should do fine. Knowlage is power. I have learned so much just from other mothers in the 14 months ive been nursing my son.
Also, one thing you can do to make things easier... wait as long as you can possibly stand it before getting an epidural. The longer you have the epidural on, the longer it will take the baby to latch correctly. I think it's anything after 2 hours of the epidural can effect the babies ability to latch. I only had the epidural for about 45 minutes before i had my son, so I really can't tell you from experience (he latched right on), but that is what the LLL claims.
2007-03-28 08:08:27 · answer #4 · answered by Mommy to David 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only 1% of women are incapable of producing enough milk unless they have had surgery to their nipples.
The BEST thing you can do is to go be around breastfeeding women. SEE how it is done. See how a normal breastfed baby acts.
One place to do this is your local La Leche League meeting. They welcome pregnant women and encourage them to attend. This will also allow you to make friends to call on for help! Very important.
http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html (Change the country in the upper right if you are not in America)
The other thing you need to do is research, research, research. So that when a medical professional says you can't breastfeed/should suppliment because of X (jaundice, weight loss, blood sugar, etc) you will know enough to say no and tell them WHY their information is wrong.
One good website is:
http://www.kellymom.com
2007-03-28 07:58:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just keep taking your vitamins. Your body is made to produce milk for the baby once it's born. There are RARE instances when mothers are unable to produce milk, but it doesn't happen often. Don't worry-you will be fine.
2007-03-28 07:51:21 · answer #6 · answered by momof3 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is not a thing you can do to ensure it. But, you are more than likely going to be able to produce milk. Lack of production is talked about a lot, but rare.
Keep taking your vitamin, stay hydrated, and you will be fine.
Best of luck!
2007-03-28 07:51:49 · answer #7 · answered by sushishishi 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You will start to produce milk regardless it is natural.
Maybe you could drink lots of water and make sure you get enough calories you need 500 extra a day when breastfeeding.
2007-03-28 07:51:18 · answer #8 · answered by cigaro19 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your body will make milk no matter what after you have the baby. Every woman does that.
After your milk comes in, eat well - variety of fresh fruits/veggies, whole grain breads, etc.
2007-03-28 08:05:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
let your body do what is natural. what is meant to be, will be
2007-03-28 08:08:35 · answer #10 · answered by MyOpinionMatters 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋