Will my milk ever "come in"

JessWhatINeeded · February 2014

Baby born 2am Friday. Nursing on demand or every 3 hrs, whichever is less. Both breasts usually, 30 mins each. Lots of it is comfort nursing since her sucking isn't constant. At her ped appt she gained back 4oz. But I still can't feel that my milk has come in. It's been 5 days. I got a few drops with a pump today when we supplemented with formula. My breasts aren't large and full and LO is still hungry after nursing.
If it hasn't come in by now 108 hrs later, will it ever? She was full term and easy vaginal delivery

Chichigo · February 2014

Young babies should gain 0.5-1 oz per day, so she's gaining at the top of that. Breastfed babies should regain their birth weight in 2 weeks.
Breastfeeding can be stressful because you can't measure baby's intake, and at times they seem to be on the breast ALL the time.
Let your baby nurse as much as she wants. Use lanolin, nipple butter, or coconut oil if your nipples are sore, or have your SO or a friend/family member hold LO while you take a warm bath/shower. Go for a walk if you need a break.
Also, hold your baby skin to skin, or wear her in a baby carrier if possible.

JessWhatINeeded · February 2014

We've given formula 5 times. Once on the hospital so I could sleep. The other 4 were at the end of me breastfeeding her, both sides, when she still seemed hungry (rooting, sucking on skin/hands) like to finish filling her up.
My nipples particularly the left is bad. The marathon nursing sessions are tough. I'm keeping at it though. Determined to do this!

[Deleted User] · February 2014

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jess9802 · February 2014

I never felt my milk come in either. The only way I knew it was in is because I was having to pump (latching problems) and we noticed the transition from colostrum to milk. This was at three days postpartum. I didn't have engorgement or leaking for a couple of weeks, and couldn't feel a letdown until he was about 2 mos old.

Not all women respond to the pump - and most of the time baby is better at getting out milk than the pump. So long as weight gain and diaper output are good, just let baby nurse.

mrsbamtastic · February 2014

I know it's hard, but be patient and keep nursing. My milk didn't really come in for 10 days pp (which is on the later side) and even then my breasts were never swollen or engorged. I felt achy and flu like and my back hurt, just so you know that's a possible feeling you may get. It seems everyone can feel something different, or nothing at all. Your baby will nurse all the time. Keep the lanolin near by!

eves1989 · February 2014

I think it might be different for each woman. My milk came in after 3-5 days pp. I thought I will never get to do it but I was determined and persistent. Your LO gained weight so it's already a sign you're doing well. Don't give up. Just keep on trying.

greeneyed_bride · February 2014

I ended up being in the hospital for four days because I had a c-section, and on day two or three, the lactation consultant said to me "has your milk come in?" I said "no, I don't think so" because I wasn't engorged, leaking, or sporting the porn star boobs everyone had promised would come when my milk came in. She reached over, felt my boob, and said "Yep, it's in." If your baby is having the appropriate amount of dirty and wet diapers, she's getting enough milk.

Also, newborns want to nurse a lot. It's how they tell your body to increase/continue milk production. So comfort nursing is completely normal and is not an indication of not getting milk. At one point in the hospital, I said to the LC "it feels like he's just using me as a pacifier," and she responded, "Good. Then he's doing his job."

Unknown · February 2014

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JessWhatINeeded · February 2014

Thanks for the input. I've been to the lactation consultants twice to get help and do weighted feeds. She's getting 12grams (less than a half ounce) each feeding that's both breasts. The LC determined she is a good sucker and getting it all in the first 10 minutes. It's my problem. They suggested trying fenugreek and asking my doc about Reglan because at 6 days out my milk is in just a very low supply and it could be low prolactin levels. I HAVE BEEN nursing her on demand constantly since birth as per instructions. As in my Wednesday was nursing 12:00-12:35, 1:55-2:30, 3:15-3:30, 4:30-5:40, 6:20-6:40, 7:00-7:20. For example. The LCs have told me to nurse, pump, and formula so that's what I'm doing.

MaryBB77 · March 2014

At day 9 my milk still hadnt come in so I went to dr and they discovered I'd retained placenta. Just something to keep in mind if yours still hasn't come in. GL