| It takes a bit for your milk to come in after you've had a baby. At first there's just the colostrum, and I think that only comes out in drops. It took my milk about 3 days to come in, but everyone is different & I guess a lot of times it can take quite a bit longer. Hope this helps you to feel better about things. Congratulations! ↑ |
| Yes- R is right it can take longer- for my first it took 5 days, but stick with it- the only way to encourage your milk to come in is to keep on putting baby to the breast!!! Congrats on your new little one! ↑ |
| If you give formula milk from the bottle then your milk supply will suffer. Keep breastfeeding him and don't be tempted to supplement with formula. It takes a few days for the milk to come in any great quantity. Colostrum only appears in small quantities and doesn't really leak out. ↑ |
| How's your nutrition? Have you heard of Reliv? It helped me incredibly!!! Was even able to skip a day of nuring without harming my milk supply... ↑ |
Courtney,
Are you having no milk at all coming from your breast when you squeeze?
Newborns do not eat a whole lot, so it is possible that even though it seems to you that your baby is not getting enough milk from your breast, chances are pretty goo that (s)he is. A good sign that your Little One is not getting enough from your breast is if you feed him/her on one side and (s)he breaks away and fusses after only 5 minutes or so, then after putting Little One to the other side (s)he breaks away after 5 minutes or less and fusses like (s)he is still hungry. If that is the case, then continue to supplement but only after your Little One has emptied your breasts on both sides. And then after feeding is done, try to stimulate even more production by expressing as much as you can.
However, I would contact the Lactation Consultant from the hospital that you had your baby at, or if one works with your pediatrician, to help you in this process.
I have known young mothers to give up breastfeeding because they did not think they had enough milk, when in fact they had plenty, they just did not think it was enough and they had no knowledgeable support. Which I think is a pity.
Please do not consider giving up on breastfeeding until after you have contacted a Lactation Constultant or a La Leche League leader for support.
There is a topic entitled "101 reasons to breastfeed" that has been posted here that I strongly encourage you to read for self support.
Good Luck ↑ |
| The herb Fenugreek can increase milk supply and is safe. Your doctor may also be willing to prescribe suitable medication to increase supply if you're anxious. ↑ |
