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problems breastfeeding after c-section?

tedro2actedro2ac member
in C-sections

Anyone have any issues with milk supply coming in after their c-section? I had an emergency csection 3 weeks ago and still no milk so I have been supplementing with formula. I have been trying everything, pumping, nursing every hour, taking fenugreek, drinking the tea, using hot compresses, doing massages.. still nothing and starting to get very frustrated! I want my baby to get the best but I am starting to think I should just give up and start formula feeding. Any one have any tips or tricks?

 

Thank you! 

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Re: problems breastfeeding after c-section?

  • EveryNameIWantIsTakenEveryNameIWantIsTaken member
    Have you gotten in touch with a lactation consultant?  That would be my best advice.  I didn't successfully bf, but it wasn't due to supply.
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  • pitterpatter129pitterpatter129 member
    Mine was 10 days before it showed. First, get in touch with a LC pronto. Your local le leche league can help if you can't find a LC. Second, put baby to breast every two hours even at night and then pump after. It will take up your life, but it's short-lived. Are you sure baby isn't getting anything? Do a weighted feed at your pedi office- weigh, feed, weigh and see how many ounces were gained - aprox how many ounces were eaten. Some people just can't pump any, so don't go by pumping alone for amounts. You can see online (google Jack Newman) latch videos to see if that's a problem. When all else fails, domperidone has been my best friend. It's a med that increases supply. You can order online at inhousepharmacy. The Jack Newman website has more info about it. I'm on my iPhone, but I can give you some links later if you want them. If a weighted feed shows low supply, I strongly urge the meds. They have been a miracle for us! Remember, the more you supplement, you are telling your body it doesn't need to make milk, so baby to breast often! Good luck!
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  • je2161je2161 member

    Take a nursing vacation, where you and baby stay in bed together all day and let LO suck as much as possible. Keep working at it. I hope it gets better soon for you. Good luck.

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  • cassoppeacassoppea
    Don't give up yet!  I would talk to a LC ASAP to try to figure out the issue.  I have heard that some people have difficulty after a c-section.  Are you getting absolutely no milk or do you just feel like your supply is low? 
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  • sarahscootysarahscooty member
    I'm struggling with this myself... I'm 2 weeks out from my c-section and having low supply issues and having to supplement. I'm on a strict nursing/pumping/formula schedule given to me by my LC. I'm hoping it works because it's absolutely exhausting!
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  • pitterpatter129pitterpatter129 member

    Here are some forementioned links:

    https://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/

    https://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=doc-DGS

    https://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/enough-milk.html

    https://www.inhousepharmacy.biz/p-17-motilium-10mg.aspx

     

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  • cottonlily84cottonlily84 member

    Are you not getting any milk at all or just not what you think is enough?  I had an unexpected c/s but 2 days later my milk came in very well.  I honestly don't know enough about bfing to offer a lot of advice but I've never heard of anyone's milk taking weeks to come in.  I would def talk to a LC.  The only tip I have is that if you aren't getting enough milk maybe it's because baby doesn't need as much because you're giving him/her formula. 

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  • cynth1cynth1
    I had huge issues with my milk coming in.  Basically it never did I tried for 5 weeks and we had to just give up because my LO was losing weight and she stopped wetting and pooping her diapers.  I would get like little dribbles to come out.  And I tried everything to make it happen and it just would not come in.  I was pretty disappointed but you do what you have to do.  Good luck I hope it works out for you.
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  • magdalina.hmagdalina.h member
    Mine came in both times at 3 days pp. I agree about contacting an LC
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  • pepomntpatpepomntpat member

    First of all, how do you know you have no milk?  Some women don't respond well to the pump-especially if they are stressed out about their milk supply. What you pump does not have anything to do with what your baby is able to get from your breast.

    I agree with PP to see an LC about a weighed feeding.  Nurse, nurse, nurse around the clock and I also suggest putting the pump away for a few days.

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  • tedro2actedro2ac member
    Thanks for all your advice ladies, I appreciate it! I have an appt with a lactation consultant today & we are going to the weighed feed. I hope it goes well! :)
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  • pitterpatter129pitterpatter129 member
    Let us know how it goes!  Good luck!  Breastfeeding was so stressful the first few months for us too, but we are still going at 10 months and it became so much easier over time.  If you want to keep it up, it can be done with lots of hard work (and medication in my case Smile.)  Stay strong!
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  • DawnJM25DawnJM25 member

    I live in a military community and there is only ONE lactation consultant here who made me feel like the worst mom because I wasn't EBFing after my emergency C-section.  My milk finally came in 5 days later, but I had some complications with my C-section and got a rough start to BFing.  DH supplemented formula in the hospital and gave a paci, so maybe there was some nipple confusion, and we also had latching issues. 

    Anyway- I haven't had good experiences with LCs and have heard that La Leche can be like a cult that tries to suck you in, so I haven't contacted them, either.  Needless to say- it was tough, but we ultimately decided to EP.  I pump every 2-3 hours, but because of low supply I supplement with 2 3oz. bottles of formula per day.  I haven't been able to get ahead with my supply at all, but I pump enough to feed her mostly BM. 

    I can relate to the low supply frustration- I'm not sure if it is due to the C-section.  If I were you, I'd just consider the pros and cons of continuing to try to pump.  A happy mom helps have a happy baby.  Don't feel bad if you have to switch to formula- plenty of people are formula fed and turn out just fine! 

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  • psychgalbridepsychgalbride member

    Breastfeeding was 20x harder than I anticipated and I read all the books, took the classes, and my pediatrician has a breastfeeding center connected to it.

    I lived at that breastfeeding center for the first 4 weeks of my DD's life.  A great lactation specialist is key.  I learned that I preferred the Breastfriend pillow more than the boppy for BF.  It has a ledge that the baby can lay on that worked so much better for me.

    I had very low supply (PCOS) and ended up pumping.  I also learned that my DD has a tongue tied which made things even harder.  

    I ended up having to supplement and then exclusively FF which was not my plan.  But you do what you have to do for your baby.  Good luck and definitely consult a LC.  

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