Waiting for milk to come in

[Semi_Crunchy]

I am posting this for a friend of mine who just had her 2nd child Monday (a couple weeks early) and is becoming frustrated because her milk has yet to come in. She said if its not in by tomorrow, she'd call a specialist. In the meantime, I thought I'd help out and see if I could find any information. Seeing on how I couldn't, I thought I'd start a new thread. Any ideas or suggestions for me to pass along would be great!
Thanks

[MiamiMami]

Is she putting the baby to her breast? Frequently? It usually takes 3-5 days. The baby should be fine with just colostrum.

She's not just waiting for the milk to magically appear, right? So many women do this:

[smalltownmom3]

Have her just keep putting the baby there. But not to feel bad if she has to use formula. Some women's milk just doesn't come in. Better to not let the baby starve.

[sheilajolene]

Originally Posted by smalltownmom3

Have her just keep putting the baby there. But not to feel bad if she has to use formula. Some women's milk just doesn't come in. Better to not let the baby starve.

Please don't give the baby formula, it's only been a few days. I agree with the other poster. Lots of skin to skin contact really helped us. I kept my shirt of and kept ds right on my chest pretty much at all times. If it will make her feel better, she can always call a LLL leader. Mine came to my house (although they don't all do that) and watched me nurse, offer tips, but mostly she told me that it takes time and patience. Does she have midwives? They are usually good at BF support (hopefully!) Her milk will come in, it's just a matter of time. Good luck!

[AlmostAPpropriate]

my milk came in late on the 3rd and early the 4th day for my kiddos. But they were wetting so I never worried.

[momma-d]

Originally Posted by smalltownmom3

Have her just keep putting the baby there. But not to feel bad if she has to use formula. Some women's milk just doesn't come in. Better to not let the baby starve.

I agree with pp about this...I hope she doesn't give the baby formula...that'll be a sure-fire way to keep the milk from coming in. Her milk will come in...it just takes a few days. Mine came in like gang busters after about 3-4 days...When the babe's ready for it, it'll be there...
What did women do before the formula companies came along to tell us that we weren't able to nourish our babies properly? I don't think many babies starved...mammaries make milk, that's what they do (and it's why we're called mammals...).

[ChristieB]

I agree. Make sure there's plenty of skin-to-skin contact, nurse often (colostrum is good stuff, it's not just nothing!), and relax. Being tense and worrying will only make it harder for her body to do what it needs to do. The milk will come in.

With my first, my milk didn't come until day 5. With my second, it came in on day 2. So it varies quite a lot, even in the same woman. I suspect that some babies need more colostrum, so it takes longer for the milk to come in for them. This just my own theory, though, based on what I now know about my older son's health. It may also have to do with the birth. My first was induced, so I imagine that the lack of my own hormones may have slowed it down.

[tarablesue]

Originally Posted by smalltownmom3

Have her just keep putting the baby there. But not to feel bad if she has to use formula. Some women's milk just doesn't come in. Better to not let the baby starve.

No no no... I don't like this advice, I am sorry,smalltownmom3.


I have had 4 children and 3 times my milk was in on day 2. We had a bit of a struggle with breastfeeding with #4 ( currently 3 weeks 4 days old!) and my milk didn't come in until day 5. Tell her to sit and nurse, let baby suckle and not worry about anything else. It will come in and on the 5th day , then if its not in, then worry:

[BakerALM]

Originally Posted by smalltownmom3

Have her just keep putting the baby there. But not to feel bad if she has to use formula. Some women's milk just doesn't come in. Better to not let the baby starve.

Don't confuse the babe, mother and the mom's breasts by replacing the colostrum with really large quantities of substitute human milk just a few days pp.

Also if she does decide to supplement (which at this point she should not need to ) do not use a bottle else nipple confusion could be the topic of you next post! Please us a cup or syringe.

[Llyra]

Both times, it was 5 days before I had the feeling of milk "coming in." And that was with nursing very frequently. It might take longer than the "average" length of time. But rest assured that if she keeps putting babe to breast, and avoids supplements, it will come. And no, baby will not starve. Colostrum is all a newborn needs, anyway. Reassure it's normal for babe to lose a bit of weight, it's normal for babe to be a bit jaundiced, and it's perfectly normal for it to take a few days more for the quantity of milk to increase.

[mommylovesra]

All of my babies have been early from and my milk has had a hard time coming in because I was either induced or had a C-section and have never went into labor on my own. I have always used a breast pump in the first few days on top of trying to nurse as often as possible to bring my milk in and it has still always taken 4 to 5 days for me. Good luck to your friend and tell her not to be discouraged her milk will come!