why I'm worried about breastfeeding this time

[jkg]

I became pregnant with this baby when DS was 17 months old. We had been nursing successfully and I had a very abundant supply. He is still "nursing", even though there is nothing (or maybe just a little colostrum) there. I'm worried because I've only noticed a little colostrum on 2 occasions in the last couple months. I'm so worried that my breasts won't "work" this time. As I type this, I realize that sounds ridiculous. But with DS, my milk didn't come in for 5 days after his birth. I was so scared then that something was wrong with me, but when it did, it came full force. My breasts have not grown in size at all this time, they are still soft and mushy (not firm like I remember from last pregnancy). Dos anyone know if it ever happens that a woman is unable to nurse after already nursing successfully? I think that's probably pretty unlikely, I'm just really worried about it.

[Wild Flowers]

I only have a little colosturum also. My breasts are also soft. This is how it was when I was nursing through my last pregnancy also. I will say that even with not nursing that often, my second dd slept a lot for the first week, my milk came in much faster. I am figuring that it will happen like that again. And if it will ease your mind, I only had like a 50% chance of even having milk because of a breast reduction. I lost my milk at about 3 to5 months this time. I have always been able to tell that I have colosturum because it doesn't hurt as much to nurse. The chewing always hurts though

[lotusdebi]

My son weaned around the time I got pregnant. My breasts have actually shrunk in size this pregnancy rather than gotten bigger (like they did when I was pregnant w/ DS). I have a little colustrum if I squeeze really hard. It took 6 days for my milk to come in last time, and my son lost 1.5 lbs. of weight in that time. We had latch problems anyway, and thrush. So, I have a lot of worries about breastfeeding this time. I want my milk to come in faster, and in adequate supplies. I don't want to deal with thrush (or anything else that's painful, thanks) this time. And I'd love it if this kid weaned closer to 2.5-3 years old than to 4 years old, like DS. :
I try to remember that everything will work out in the end. Eventually.

[sparkprincess]

I'm not actively worried about it, but it's there in the back of my mind. I had a lot of problems with bfing my ds. I really hope I won't have to repeat that!

My breasts have also been different this pregnancy. I didn't have near the amount of soreness, growth, etc and I only nursed until about a week before Christmas. Oh, and I am pretty sure I'm making colostrum because I've seen a bit here and there, but nothing like some of the mamas are talking about!!!

Here's to easy breastfeeding this time around!

[ccohenou]

What you are describing is very normal in my experience. My breasts are smaller now than they were at the beginning of this pregnancy - because at the beginning of this pregnancy I was making milk, and now only a little colostrum!

I think it would be extremely rare for you to produce milk for your first child but not for your second, unless you had acquired some medical condition or were taking some new medication, or had surgery on your breasts. Most women find that their breasts are more efficient about making milk the second time around, milk may come in sooner, may not have as much engorgement or leaking, but still plenty of milk for the baby because your body has already had practice lactating.

Good luck - I'm sure you will be fine.

[hapahaolegirl]

My milk did not come in for five days with DD either. She lost a pound because of this but like you my milk came in at full force after that. This time around my breasts have not grown at all either and they are soft. I'm assuming they are soft and not firm this time around because well they have lost elasticity from breastfeeding DD for two years. I spoke with a new Pediatritian and he told me that usually with second babies the woman's milk comes in sooner, more like two days instead of five. I'm hoping this is the case!