New Baby....BF questions, help please.

tiannalee

Hi there - I just had my boy two days ago and am still in hospital.  I had to have a c-section and am on pain pills.  Dylan took tot he breast feeding right away but it seems that I dont have anything coming out.  He sucks and sucks but....nothing.  Sometimes a few droplets of colustrum come out but that is all.  I am wondering what to do.  I have had to supplement with formula and that depresses me because I was so determined to breast feed for as long as possible.  Am I doing something wrong?  Is it possible that my milk is just delayed due to the pain pills?  Sadly, the hospital doesnt have an LC on hand.  I am thinking I may LLL to get someone to come here and spend some time with me but I wonder if its just a supply issue or something I am doing....

Any advice ladies?  Many thanks!

alison43

check this out for info re: breastfeeding basics and your newborn

https://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/index.html

 

I'm sure a LLL leader would be more than happy to see you and help you out.  Most babies do not have any significant caloric needs for the first few days, and your colostrum is all that they need, as little in volume as it is.  My LC told me that a newborn baby's stomach is the size of a marble.  Just a few drops would fill it up!

Don't beat yourself up about the formula, you can fix it!  Let the baby nurse all the time.  As long as your baby is having at least one wet and one dirty diaper for each day he is old (one wet diaper on day 1, two on day 2, etc.) he is getting enough.

Hang in there!!  You sound determined to make this work and I know you will! 

alison43

oh and my milk didn't come in till day 4 i think, and i had a vaginal birth.  it usually takes a few days!

jerseysunrays

Ask the nurses for help.  There isn't a LC at your hospital, but you may find a nurse who is passionate about breastfeeding. After all, helping new moms IS THERE JOB!

Put the baby to your breast as often as you can, this will help your milk come in. Remember, not a lot is coming out- but your baby's stomach is super small right now. It is about the size of a marble, so it won't take much to fill it up.

When I was in the hospital with Malone, they had me nurse him for 20 minutes (10 on each side) or until he popped off and seemed satisfied. 

I don't think you have a supplie issue yet, it sounds like yoru milk isn't even in! Like I said before, don't give up and just keep putting the baby to the breast! 

thinkofthat

Do NOT give up!  You won't see any milk until day 4 or 5, but your baby is getting something!  You don't even have to supplement with formula, although it's OK if you do.  Your baby is getting your colostrum, you just can barely see it.

I remember freaking out, worrying if she was getting anything. The better measure is if he is peeing or pooping.   Don't stop!

LMH1209

As others have said, don't give up!  Just keep putting him on there at least every two to three hours (more if he asks for it).  The initial period can be tiring (on top of everything you've gone through with the delivery), but it's worth it.  Do try calling LLL for help.  Also, do you have any friends who've used a local LC who you could call for a consultation?  If not, maybe someone on your local Bump board could recommend someone?

I had a c-section (unscheduled), too, and my milk didn't fully come in until after I was home -- after four nights in the hospital.  DS did end up having some formula in the hospital because he was jaundiced, and the formula helped move things along. 

DS was a little slow to regain his birth weight, but luckily, we have a great pediatrician.  She had us come in every few days to watch his weight, but she said that she allows breastfed babies three weeks to regain birth weight before she gets too worried.

Three months later, DS has almost doubled his birth weight and is a great eater (and hasn't had any more formula).

ljw0424

Stick with it you are doing fine.  When I had my LO the nurse warned me that day 2 is the worst and hardest.  They start to cluster feed.  My LO cluster fed from 7pm till around 4am until I called the nurse because I was loosing my mind and my nipples were killing me.  She reassured me and helped me get his latch corrected.  We went home the next day and by midnight my milk started coming in and it got easier.

katypresson

I had the same issue...we had to supplement with formula in the hospital due to jaundice....but I would HIGHLY suggest to start pumping...IMMEDIATELY!  Even if you only get little bits of colustrum - you can get that out of the bottles using small syringes (sp?)  I also was upset b/c I didn't want to give him any formula...but now...we give him only breastmilk during the day (whether nursing or expressed in a bottle) and formula at night b/c it helps him sleep longer. 

The hospital should have a hospital grade Medela pump in the room that you can use ..it will help your milk come in faster.  I wish I would have started pumping the day after birth...but my LC didn't tell me to do it until 2 days later.  We also rented the pump from the hospital to use at home for the first month (until I could order a good one).  It has helped soo much! 

ficklefiona

just put babies to breast as often as possible! even if they are not eating the sucking will help the milk come in faster. don't give up and goodluck!

oh and ditto talking to a nurse they may be able to offer some help.

ficklefiona

oh, and it took about 5 days for my milk to come in.

webMistress0609

Same thing happened to me - I had a scheduled C section & didn't even have any colustrum until 48 hours afterwards. The nurses told me not to worry, DS wouldn't need anything for about 24 hours. Well, he was hungry & flipping out at 12 hours. We had an LC come in & she showed us how to use a syringe to feed him a few drops of formula while he was on the breast - this was to get him interested & show him sucking = food. Also, the sucking would help my milk come in. They brought in a pump for me to also pump a bit between feedings to help out. Within 4-5 days I had full milk in & DS was nursing like a champ. 

I was really upset about supplementing too - I felt like a failure. The LC told me it happens to a lot of women. Get an LC in there ASAP! I highly recommend it - w/o the help of the LC, my baby would not be breastfed.  

ValerianOddity

I totally understand your frustration.  When my DS was born at the end of June, my milk didn't come in until day 5, and I was forced to suppliment with formula for a few feedings because he was dehydrated; no wet diapers for almost 3 days.

Don't give up on BF!  DS was born on a  Tuesday, and by Friday I was able to stop the formula suppliments; my milk came in on Saturday, and we're doing great.  Don't get discouraged, and don't be afraid to ask for help!  Definitely call your local LLL, I'm sure someone will be able to help you.  Nurse frequently, even if you feel like it isn't doing any good.  It is!

You can do it!!

mrs.baum

Congrats on having your baby! Get in touch with LLL, they will send someone to the hospital to help you. BF often! As soon as you are able, stop supplementing.