BF right after Delivery?

Knottie70010763 · March 2016

Is there a BF thread on here yet? If so please share link below.

So I have heard that a lot of times your milk might not come in until a few days after delivery. If that's the case is the only option to supplement with formula until your milk comes in? Also, is it okay to go ahead and start taking supplement before you even deliver ( fenugreek, mother milk tea, lactation cookies, ect.) before you even deliver to help you supply come in and be ready to go as soon as baby gets here?

I know BF can be hard enough to begin with, so I just want to start off on the best note possible.

obryana6219 · March 2016

Your milk may take some time to come in but you will have colostrum. It's perfect for baby and just the thing they need until your milk does come in. As far as the supplements before delivery I have no idea.

mommar13 · March 2016

The first few days before your milk comes in baby gets all they need from colostrum, which is the thick yellow nutrient rich substance that you're already producing. You don't need to give them anything else. I'm not sure about the safety side of taking supplements before they get here, but I would be worried about making too much at first if you did that. It takes your body about 6 weeks after birth for your supply to settle and even out, before that I always made too much for DS and I stayed engorged which is not fun at all. Just keep baby close and do plenty of skin to skin contact and your body really does take care of pretty much everything else most of the time. If you still have problems after birth then look into supplements or seeing a LC to help, but until then I wouldn't stress to much on it.

kbrands7 · March 2016

Definitely put baby to the breast if your intention is to bf. You'll have colostrum which is very nourishing until the transitional milk, then milk comes in. Having baby eat will stimulate milk production.

jumpy57 · March 2016

My hospital has a breastfeeding class I was able to take. I really liked it! One important thing I learned is that a new baby's stomach is only the size of a large marble, they don't need a lot of milk at once but they will want it often until their stomach grows more. And yes to the colostrum being all baby needs at first.

laurenmdrn16 · March 2016

I would caution against some of the supplements and teas because they can stimulate labor or contractions.

MH almost gave me my Mother's Milk tea and I freaked out saying "Do you want me to go into labor?!" and it reminded me of the post from another bumpie on the Comments from Strangers thread.

doozer1345 · March 2016

Your body makes what your baby needs (quantity and quality) as your babys needs change (granted that there are no underlying issues). It's crazy but the neatest thing.

vinerie · March 2016

So this may be an UO, but I am seriously thinking of having some hoppy beer (like half a glass) for a couple days before giving birth (as best as I can estimate when that will be). I have heard (from several Euro friends of mine) that in European countries this is fairly common as the hops makes the milk come down better than anything...

Maybe there is non-alcoholic hoppy beer?

Knottie70010763 · March 2016

Thanks everyone... just don't want baby to get here starving and I don't have anything to feed her yet. I really don't want to use formula if I can avoid it and stick with breastfeeding hopefully.

saladflambe · March 2016

vinerie said:

So this may be an UO, but I am seriously thinking of having some hoppy beer (like half a glass) for a couple days before giving birth (as best as I can estimate when that will be). I have heard (from several Euro friends of mine) that in European countries this is fairly common as the hops makes the milk come down better than anything...

Maybe there is non-alcoholic hoppy beer?

The element of beer that helps lactation comes from the barley used to make it.
So maybe just eat barley.

saladflambe · March 2016

saladflambe said:

vinerie said:

So this may be an UO, but I am seriously thinking of having some hoppy beer (like half a glass) for a couple days before giving birth (as best as I can estimate when that will be). I have heard (from several Euro friends of mine) that in European countries this is fairly common as the hops makes the milk come down better than anything...

Maybe there is non-alcoholic hoppy beer?

The element of beer that helps lactation comes from the barley used to make it.
So maybe just eat barley.

https://www.justmommies.com/babies/top-ten-lactogenic-foods-foods-that-improve-your-milk-supply

H0neyC0mb · March 2016

I'm reading The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (my midwife recommend it) and I feel so much more prepared now! I highly recommend looking into it.

laurenmdrn16 · March 2016

vinerie said:

So this may be an UO, but I am seriously thinking of having some hoppy beer (like half a glass) for a couple days before giving birth (as best as I can estimate when that will be). I have heard (from several Euro friends of mine) that in European countries this is fairly common as the hops makes the milk come down better than anything...

Maybe there is non-alcoholic hoppy beer?

I am telling you that the only thing that kept my supply up was super hoppy beer.

I did a quick search and found this one came with high reviews:
The bottle: Clausthaler Amber Dry Hopped non-alcoholic beer, $8 for six-pack

And also this one:
Höpman Alcohol Removed Premium Pale (Pretty hoppy for a NA Ale)

I am also going to ask the beer guy at MH's work. He has never steered me wrong in the past!

ETA: After birth, I would also drink very dark stouts made with oatmeal and I found that those helped sustain my supply. So the hops helped it come down and then the malty oaty stout helped keep it up.

kbrands7 · March 2016

vinerie said:

So this may be an UO, but I am seriously thinking of having some hoppy beer (like half a glass) for a couple days before giving birth (as best as I can estimate when that will be). I have heard (from several Euro friends of mine) that in European countries this is fairly common as the hops makes the milk come down better than anything...

Maybe there is non-alcoholic hoppy beer?

You could have barley or sprinkle brewer's yeast on things before labor to reap the benefit of beer without actually having the alcohol. Both are galactagogues.

NB817 · March 2016

Knottie70010763 said:

Thanks everyone... just don't want baby to get here starving and I don't have anything to feed her yet. I really don't want to use formula if I can avoid it and stick with breastfeeding hopefully.

If this is your goal definitely put baby to breast ASAP and also do it often. The more often they BF (like every two hours) the quicker your milk will come in.
My daughter was a scheduled c-section (meaning my body wasn't actually ever in labor nor ready to give birth) but my milk came in 3 days after she was born because the nurses had me latch her on to eat every two hours. Your body is incredible in the fact that it can grow another human being and also sustain and nourish that human being once it's born.

doozer1345 · March 2016

vinerie said:

So this may be an UO, but I am seriously thinking of having some hoppy beer (like half a glass) for a couple days before giving birth (as best as I can estimate when that will be). I have heard (from several Euro friends of mine) that in European countries this is fairly common as the hops makes the milk come down better than anything...

Maybe there is non-alcoholic hoppy beer?

I drank Guiness to up my milk supply. FYI...be prepared. It really skyrockets your supply.

GoatSnakeMouse · March 2016

doozer1345 said:

vinerie said:

So this may be an UO, but I am seriously thinking of having some hoppy beer (like half a glass) for a couple days before giving birth (as best as I can estimate when that will be). I have heard (from several Euro friends of mine) that in European countries this is fairly common as the hops makes the milk come down better than anything...

Maybe there is non-alcoholic hoppy beer?

I drank Guiness to up my milk supply. FYI...be prepared. It really skyrockets your supply.

OMG I can't wait.

kbrands7 · March 2016

doozer1345 said:

vinerie said:

So this may be an UO, but I am seriously thinking of having some hoppy beer (like half a glass) for a couple days before giving birth (as best as I can estimate when that will be). I have heard (from several Euro friends of mine) that in European countries this is fairly common as the hops makes the milk come down better than anything...

Maybe there is non-alcoholic hoppy beer?

I drank Guiness to up my milk supply. FYI...be prepared. It really skyrockets your supply.

Guiness

araecasey · March 2016

Put this worry from your mind. Previous commenters are correct, during pregnancy and directly after birth, your body makes a special kind of milk called colostrum, loaded with antibodies, pre and probiotics, the perfect mix of proteins, fats, and sugars, vitamins, and minerals to nourish your newborn. Unless you've had breast tissue removed and/or have a diagnosed glandular tissue insufficiency, you'll have enough colostrum for your baby while you wait for your milk to come in between days 2 and 5.

Don't even think about lactation cookies, fenugreek, beer (unless you just want one for you--then bombs away!), mother's milk tea, etc etc. Those things have their place, but they're not any foundation for breastfeeding and put your focus on the "numbers" instead of on the breastfeeding relationship. This would be my to-do list for you to prepare for successful breastfeeding:

1. Take a class and/or read the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. If you choose to take a class, drag dad or a support person along with you, even if they're a drama llama about going to boob class. You need SOMEone in your corner who's on the same page as you! If you choose to read The WAofB, it isn't one you read cover to cover, but I'd definitely read chapters 1-5 to prepare yourself. Bonus points for reading chapter 6 and 7 as well. You should be able to easily find this book at your local library or La Leche League if you'd rather not purchase it. Again, fill your partner in about what you learn from this book.
2. Get connected with a support group. Anyone here is welcome to join my La Leche League Facebook group, even though it's local to me. ANY support group is better than none. I'm also happy to help find an in person support group and/or IBCLC local to you, whether it's LLL or not.
3. Hold baby skin to skin immediately following birth and keep baby there for an hour or two. Newborn procedures can wait if baby is healthy. Hospital staff can perform APGAR scoring while baby is snuggling up with you during this time.
4. Be selfish with your baby in the hospital, and do lots of skin to skin. Latch baby as often and as long as he or she wants.
5. Relax :-) Be confident in your body that it knows how to nourish your baby. Call the lactation consultant if you have ANY concerns, and you're welcome to contact me at any hour of the day. I'll do my best to help considering I'll likely have my own new nursling.

littlebb22 · March 2016

vinerie said:

So this may be an UO, but I am seriously thinking of having some hoppy beer (like half a glass) for a couple days before giving birth (as best as I can estimate when that will be). I have heard (from several Euro friends of mine) that in European countries this is fairly common as the hops makes the milk come down better than anything...

Maybe there is non-alcoholic hoppy beer?

Ummmmm, yes please! Also my friend have me her recipe for "supply cookies" which contains Brewers yeast and other fun things to help your milk supply. Cookies and beer it is!

dsmith211 · March 2016

doozer1345 said:

vinerie said:

So this may be an UO, but I am seriously thinking of having some hoppy beer (like half a glass) for a couple days before giving birth (as best as I can estimate when that will be). I have heard (from several Euro friends of mine) that in European countries this is fairly common as the hops makes the milk come down better than anything...

Maybe there is non-alcoholic hoppy beer?

I drank Guiness to up my milk supply. FYI...be prepared. It really skyrockets your supply.

You just completely made my day. Guinness =

clbness · March 2016

GoatSnakeMouse said:

doozer1345 said:

I drank Guiness to up my milk supply. FYI...be prepared. It really skyrockets your supply.

OMG I can't wait.

I thought the same thing...this made my day!!

JennyS86 · March 2016

EErin86 said:

My hospital has a breastfeeding class I was able to take. I really liked it! One important thing I learned is that a new baby's stomach is only the size of a large marble, they don't need a lot of milk at once but they will want it often until their stomach grows more. And yes to the colostrum being all baby needs at first.

That marble-sized stomach is why newborns also need to feed frequently!

(*this is a generalization*): Newborns often feed well immediately after delivery, but then they often get sleepy for the next 24hrs or so. But, that doesn't mean you shouldn't wake and attempt to feeds at least every 2-3hrs. The next 24 hrs often brings a crabbier newborn that wants to feed every hour. This is a common time to develop sore nipples, so make sure to have a trusted expert evaluate your baby's latch!

camillaandcarson · March 2016

My milk took awhile to come in, many days, but it was no problem because baby was getting colostrum just as nature intended and we just kept an eye on baby's weight with all the well checks. All was fine.

If you want to help boost production later on you can eat delicious oatmeal cookies.
Cookies for any occasion is great. I am making a few batches to freeze (but will probably just end up eating all of them at this rate, as will the two other members of the household, so I might want to wait until closer to May).
There are all sorts of recipes out there for this. I just made plain oatmeal cookies with nuts and raisins and it really did make a huge difference for me.

mumbolino · March 2016

edited because @EErin86 said exactly what i wanted to say. It pays off to read through all previous posts first :-)

DanandVan · March 2016

I was surprised that so many Dr's pressured me to supplement with formula (3x Mom here, expecting #4, and I got pressure to supplement with all 3!). I never caved. I trust my body. My milk always came in on day 3 (maybe day 4 after the c-section). Until then baby was just fine with colostrum, and we nursed every 2 hours.
I would stay away from formula and teas, etc that might mess with your supply. Also to be noted, do NOT pump to increase your supply before (or right after) your milk comes in. It sends your body the signal to produce enough milk for triplets, and you don't want to start off that way! Repeat after me: I trust my body. I trust my body.
Disclaimer: of course, there are times your body doesn't get the message, you may need to pump, or even supplement with formula but those are the exceptions, not the norm.

Chappy_jr · March 2016

Definitely agree with some of the other posters: trust your body with this and don't worry about taking things to prepare to breastfeed (aside from a class). I never 'measured' my supply until we got to around 10 months and it started dropping off.

That said, I will have some hoppy beer and cookies shortly after we come home ... because I miss beer and I like to eat cookies!

bigmomma14 · April 2016

Having lots of skin to skin, and proper latching. Stay well hydrated too.x.x my milk takes around 7/10 days to make a full on appearance, then it doesn't stop...

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