Bringing milk in after a c-section

[Charmie981]

A friend of mine had a c-section on Tuesday morning. This was her first baby, water broke, no contractions, low AFI, pit, fetal distress, no pit, still fetal distress=c-section.

I know not having the hormonal cocktail that leads to labor can cause milk to come in a little later, as can having a c-section incision that your body is trying to heal. Her baby was 9#9oz and can afford to lose about a pound before he's in the 10% range. She said right now he's lost 9% and is not nursing great (though he is latching a nursing some). Her ped won't discharge baby until they have seen the hospital LC, which I think it probably a good thing...

They are headed home today (after they get the chance to see the LC), and she's concerned that he'll lose too much before her milk comes in. I think he has big baby syndrome and wants milk NOW b/c he's getting frustrated about halfway through nursing.

I'm also concerned that her husband is really....I dunno...by the book, maybe is a good way to put it? And will want her to supplement if things aren't going well.

So....long story short...is there anything she can do to help her milk come in more quickly and not take the 5-7 days that I've seen after c-sections? I advised her to take her pain meds and not be a martyr because I know that can affect supply, to rest in bed with baby skin to skin all day long when she gets home, and to consider pumping after feedings not so much to get something, but to have some extra stimulation of her supply and, of course, to stay hydrated and to eat well. I don't really want to suggest any supplements (I mean for her, not supplemental feedings for baby) because she's not having supply issues, KWIM? But I'm wondering if there's some trick I don't know about, I guess.

Update: She just texted me that the LC visit was a success and he nursed well off of both sides for 15 mins a side. She's concerned that it won't be like that when they get home, though...

[boobs4milk]

i think that the pumping will help as well as having her get a positive mindset. i feel less like questioning everything when i tell myself i can do this! good luck to her!!!

[jeliphish]

the fact that milk comes in later after a C section is actually a myth that hasn't been debunked all too well. The signal for your body to begin producing milk begins after the placenta detaches from the uterus. Here's a resource:

(Quote from Kellymom, followed by direct link)
"When will my milk come in?
The abrupt hormonal shift that occurs at the separation of the placenta from the uterus is what signals your milk to come in. Thus mom's body will get the same signal whether she has a cesarean or vaginal birth. Moms who have stressful births (cesarean or vaginal) tend to have their milk come in a little bit later.

Your milk may come in anywhere from day 2 to day 6 (usually around days 2-3). If your milk is slow coming in, try not to worry, but put baby to breast as often as possible and stay in contact with your lactation consultant so she can monitor how baby is doing. Using these tips on how to be sure baby is getting enough milk will also reassure you. Baby can do quite well on colostrum alone in the early days, as nature intended."


http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/con...c-section.html

[jeliphish]

forgot to add....that she needs to relax and not stress out about her milk because it will only make it worse. She needs to take care of herself, TAKE HER PAIN MEDS, and drink lots of water, and snuggle with her LO.

[justKate]

How is she doing emotionally?

I'm not an expert, but my milk took about six days to come in after my c-section. I think it had a lot to do with my emotional state--fetal distress, emergency c-, baby hospitalized 3+ wks.... [she's fine now]

Just thinking that if she's struggling with the fact of the c-section, that emotional stuff might be having an affect. Just goes back to the relaxing thing, I guess, but I wanted to throw it out there. Pumping might help too, if she's up for it.