When milk starts to come in, is it a gradual increase?

FarmvilleLover

I'm on day 5 post delivery, and so far all I've been pumping out is colostrum. This morning when I woke up my breasts felt slightly bigger and more sore. I'm pumping now and there is more than usual, but not a LOT like I would expect to happen when milk comes in.

Does the milk production increase as the days go by? Or does this mean I am likely an unproducer?  How did your milk come in?

Thanks ladies. 

catsinawindow

I wasn't pumping when my milk came in so I don't know about how much I produced at first, but I definately noticed a big difference.  My breasts were hard like rocks, super sore, and I leaked through my bra and shirt on the opposite side when I nursed DS.

At first, you won't really pump very much at all (even after your milk comes in completely).  My first time pumping (at around 3 weeks PP) I only pumped about 1 oz and I've never had supply issues.  Babies just don't need much to eat when they're that small.  How much did you pump?  Are you exclusively pumping or BFing as well?  It's generally said that baby can get more from your breast than a pump can, so your LO is likely getting more than you're pumping if you're nursing him.

tokenhoser

Mine just snuck in for the first day or so (which was 3 or 4 days after Owen was born), and then I got engorged a bit after that. I didn't even know my milk was in until my doula told me.

Try not to worry, and if you can get your baby to the breast instead of pumping, do. Pumping causes so much more stress in the early weeks.

honey23

I think mine was over the course of  a couple pumpings that I had a noticable difference, it wasn't like instant or anything....DS was born 8 weeks early and my sister's wedding was 2 days after I had DS and of course my milk came in on that day, I remember hand expressing on the way from getting my hair done to the church at like 11:00 and only getting like .5 oz and by that evening I was nearly filling my 2.5 oz bottles

danienross

I'm sure for some women, milk comes in slowly.  However mine did not.  I went from feeling normal (well pregnancy normal) to engorged in a matter of minutes.  Completely caught me off guard.

However, I was not pumping.  Unless there is a reason you're pumping (like a baby that can't/won't latch), it's not usually recommended in the early weeks cause babies are so much better at getting the milk to come in and the supply to regulate.  If it will help put your mind at east you could try to see a lactation consultant.

jlsimon56

honey23:

I think mine was over the course of  a couple pumpings that I had a noticable difference, it wasn't like instant or anything....DS was born 8 weeks early and my sister's wedding was 2 days after I had DS and of course my milk came in on that day, I remember hand expressing on the way from getting my hair done to the church at like 11:00 and only getting like .5 oz and by that evening I was nearly filling my 2.5 oz bottles

You went to a wedding 2 days after having a baby?  Hats off to you, I am super impressed!! 

To the OP, mine came in gradually at first but picked up quickly based on baby's demands.  Unless you are EPing, try to nurse as that will help your milk come in.

jlsimon56

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Mrs. Sarah&Micah

Mine came in quick and it was around day 5. I was sore and they were rock hard. Next thing I knew I was leaking like crazy- then I knew for sure that my milk was in.

haziedaze

I was exclusively pumping since DS was in the NICU. First it looked like my colostrum was getting lighter in color and there was a little more milkiness to it. My amts steadily increased from there and with 4-5 pumping sessions it clearly looked more like milk and I was getting about 0.5oz total. I became engorged about 18 hrs later but didn't get large volumes of milk when I pumped even then. HTH!

meahganf

LO and I spent our first four days in the hospital after a c-section. While at the hospital I went from almost no colostrum to a half ounce of milk in a pumping. On our last day I was able to hand express droplets and got really excited. I went to show my DH the next morning and it shot half way across the room!! From there it increased, not gradually, but not instantly either. 

My childbirth caoch said that if you take it out, your body will replace it. I'd say to keep pumping and your body will bring in your milk. I'm 4 weeks PP and I pump every two hours during the day and when LO wakes at night.

cottonlily84

Yes and no.  I gradually got more and more milk.  But when it "came in" it was like BOOM.  Milk everywhere.  I took my bra off and it started squirting.  Too bad that didn't last!  I had DD on Friday night/Saturady morning about midnight and my milk came in Monday afternoon.  Did you by chance have a c/s?  If so it could very well by why you are seeing a slower start.  Don't doubt yourself this soon though!  The sore breasts and fuller feeling is how it started with me.  Hang with it and get all the support you need!  Our hospital had a LC nurse who helped me before, during and after my admission.