Will my milk come in?

Number2forus · October 2013

I have birth to my angel yesterday at 21 weeks. Will my milk still come in? If so, how long does it take to happen, what can I do to stop it, and how long will it last? Thanks

Jkerr924 · October 2013

I am so sorry for your loss. I gave birth to my sweet baby boy at 19 weeks one month ago. My milk came in about 3 days after. I woke up one morning and they were huge, hard, and terribly painful. Just another slap in the face. I read online what to do and talked to a couple of my girlfriends about what they did when they were done breastfeeding. Everyone has different opinions about this, but I took my doctors word and wore a tight sports bra. Green cabbage leaves in your bra on your breasts really do help. Not only does the cold sooth what felt like hot stones in my breasts, but somehow it helps dry up your milk. Massaging them really made them feel better although it was painful at first (doc instructed my husband to help with this part). BIG key to remember is not to stimulate the nipple. Hot showers gave some relief too. The hot shower helped to let some of the milk leak out (doc said this was okay). Ice packs feel the best. The engorging lasted around 5 days, but the leaking lasted another week or so. Remember everyone is different and some don't have it come in. I hope that yours stays away!! Hugs!!

Number2forus · October 2013

Thanks so much for the info! I'm so sorry about your loss as well.

AJCagle82 · October 2013

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know that milk coming in is just one thing that seems horrific to deal with during this time. I was one of the fortunate women and milk didn't come in. I wore tight sports bras just in case to hold everything in place and keep them from being stimulated. I also kept cabbage on hand in case they became engorged. I was actually concerned about it. I thought there might be something wrong with me since I was about 27 weeks along. I spoke to my doctor and she said it was fine that it didn't happen. I hope this is the same for you. My heart breaks for women who have to endure that as well as their loss. I know you just started a long and difficult journey. My heart goes out to you.

Number2forus · October 2013

Welp, my boobs are huge and I can send tell milk is coming in.

I have a son I breasted so I figured they might remember what to do.

I'll take the advice of you ladies and go get cabbage tomorrow. I've also been wearing a tight sports bra consistently. I just hope it doesn't last long.

Dixon813 · October 2013

I'm so sorry - this part really sucked for me!

Tight sports bras and ice packs really helped. I couldn't only use cabbage a couple of times because the smell really started to bother me. (but this was also in the hot summer....) I also took sudafed (or any antihistamine) to help dry you out... Avoid any stimulation and hot showers...

bunnybun4 · October 2013

so sorry you are having to deal with this bs!

Mine came in a few days after my surgery...my dr. instructed me to under no circumstances touch your nipples and to try your hardest not to let the water touch them in the shower...I wore 2 tight sports bras at ALL times unless I was showering. As PP's mentioned cold cabbage leaves are your friend. I think I had to do all of this for about a week.

((hugs))

PerkyErky · October 2013

*** siggy warning***

I lost my daughter at 20w4d and my milk did not come in. I wore a tight compression wrap for a week that they gave me at the hospital (sort of like a giant ace bandage) at all times except when showering. But cold cabbage was the thing recommended by the nurses if it did come in.

Milk coming in is such a cruel reminder.

a&aw12707 · October 2013

***siggy warning*** I am so sorry for your loss. Huge hugs you you. I lost my son at 17 weeks and my milk did come in. Luckily there wasn't much and it cleared up quickly. I wore a tight sports bra and avoided the shower hitting them.

Number2forus · October 2013

They are now rock hard and huge. I am wearing a tight bra, using cabbage leaves, and ice packs. I am worried that I will get an infection from clogged ducts bc they are so hard and painful. Any other suggestions or thoughts?

Jkerr924 · October 2013

Ugh, I know the feeling. I felt big hard hot knots in my breasts. My doctor told me to massage them but do not touch the nipple. It really helped. I called my doc bc I thought that the knots were clogged ducts and that I had an infection, but luckily they were just super engorged. You are doing everything right. Try massaging them. If by the end of the day tomorrow you are still in a terrible amount of pain call your doc and see if they want to see you or have any other suggestions. My doc had me come into the office for fear of an infection. I've read just like Dixon813 mentioned that sudafed dries it up. Personally, getting into the hot shower and letting some leak out without squeezing really made them feel better. I know that some will say that this is a nono but in those times of desperation... hey. Helped me.

Heatherhah · October 2013

You also may want to try some sage tea. I went to a tea seminar and they said that sage can dry up lactating moms milk. I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet baby!!

Xath · October 2013

I'm so sorry you're going through this. To offer a different perspective, I pumped for 2 months after my daughter died and donated the milk through Eats on Feets to another family who had adopted a newborn. Because I needed to pump at regular intervals, it helped me regulate my schedule so I couldn't just sleep for 24 hours straight. It was also helpful because it let me feel like my daughter was helping another little one. We're now friends with the family, and I get to see pictures of their son as he grows up and it gives me a good reference as to how big my daughter might be now.

I know it's not for everyone, but I found it to be difficult but very theraputic overall. I'm so sorry that you're going through this at all.

neptunebljc · October 2013

Mine were very painful. I wore a tight sports bra 24/7 or I wore one of my belly bands.

According the print out I got from the hospital, it said if you do anything to encourage the leaking it will only make it last longer.

I didn't do cabbage, but iced every couple of hours, avoided all stimulation, and after 5 days they were better. Still a little tender in a hot shower, but better.

Good luck!

shandorfml2 · October 2013

Everyone's given great responses. Mine came in as well and I found cabbage leaves and ice packs to work. Wear a supportive bra, and don't let the hot water from the shower hit your breasts.