does lots of colostrum before birth = lots of milk after?

[wholewheatchick]

I have been producing colostrum since before I was 19 weeks pregnant.  I don't know if it is necessarily "a lot" since I am not leaking all over my bed at night or anything, but I could easily get teaspoonfuls from hand expressing, and it is turning from clear to creamy yellow.  Hypoplastic breasts and a legitimate inability to produce milk run in my family, so I am just wondering if, because of this colostrum production,  I am essentially "in the clear" now? And, if I do everything right, get baby to the breast right away, etc., I can assume that I have the innate physical ability to make enough milk for my baby?

[PatioGardener]

I would take it as a very good sign!  I think all babies should be watched for signs of adequate milk intake (pees, poops and growth, see http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/enough-milk.html ), but aside from that, it sounds like you will be good to go!

Do you have resources and supports in place for breastfeeding help once baby arrives?  La Leche League phone number?  the name and number of a good LC?  How about heading to a meeting before baby arrives?  Being prepared is very empowering!

Also, think about support for you so you can concentrate on nursing your babe.  http://www.glorialemay.com/blog/?p=34

  Congrats and best wishes for the birth and babymoon!

Edited by PatioGardener - 11/10/10 at 8:07am

[Super~Single~Mama]

It did for me!  I would leak colostrum at night (and have like a grapefruit sized stain on the bed) when I was pregnant, and then when my ds was born he only ate every 4-5hours (NO jaundice - he was the pinkest, most robust baby I've ever seen!  He also gained quickly - he was born at 8lb14oz and by 9 days he was 9lbs3oz.), and then I had LOTS of milk once it came in!

I would take it as a good sign, but since hypoplastic breasts run in your family watch for all the signs of low supply after your baby is born.  Definitely keep an eye on wet and poopy diapers (wet should be 1for every day until they are peeing 6-7times/day, I'm not sure about poop), and keep an eye on your babies weight to make sure s/he gains.

I hope BF'ing comes as easily to you as it did to me!!

[lyterae]

I do want to caution that just because you are leaking doesn't neccesarily mean a full supply (and it's heartbreaking to have to deal with that possibility!)... I have IGT and this is my second pregnancy, last time I started leaking around 26 weeks, it was earlier this time around. I have hopes for more milk, but I don't know that I will make a full supply.

[Mamja]

Well, I don't want to rain on your parade, but unfortunately it didn't work that way for me. I had a breast reduction 5 years ago and was concerned about being able to nurse. I had plenty of colostrum early on in both pregnancies and was excited. But I didn't have a full supply once the kids were here. 

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Super~Single~Mama  Definitely keep an eye on wet and poopy diapers (wet should be 1for every day until they are peeing 6-7times/day, I'm not sure about poop),

here is some great poop info

http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVDec97Jan98p123.html