Tips to encourage milk to come in?

[bluewisteria]

I'm expecting DC3 and am going to be induced next Tuesday at 38+0 due to current hypertension, and PE/HELLP risk if I carry on much longer.

With DD1 I was induced with a pessary, didn't react well to it, had PE, retained placenta etc etc. found breastfeeding v difficult and painful. Managed to feed exclusively till 7 weeks then combined feeding till 8 months. With DD2 they broke my waters and I managed birth without any induction drugs, which I think helped milk production. But she was in SCBU and I was ill post natally. My milk came in eventually but the first few weeks were not fun!

I'm wondering if there is anything I can do in the next week to boost my chances? I was thinking of taking fenugreek as that was great with DD2. Any other things I can do?

My breasts seem much fuller the last week but def no signs of colostrum/milk.

[Vedamakesthebesttoast]

Get a sling or soft wrap and wear your baby as much as possible, skin to skin should help boost your hormones.

I was induced with my twins and my milk took forever to come in, I didn't realise beforehand that induction can impede your milk coming, I wish inhad as it might have made the whole thing easier to deal with.

Good luck

[elephantoverthehill]

Gosh I am sorry, I am no help at all. It just happened with me. Could this be the case with your third? After all your body might know what to do?

[bluewisteria]

I'm hoping it will just come in- I think if I can avoid induction drugs, and neither baby nor I are ill/separated then it might well do. Once established feeding went brilliantly with DD2.

I was wondering if I could do anything in the next week to boost supply before birth too?

I've been prescribed medication for blood pressure, really hoping that doesn't affect production.

[daisydalrymple]

Dc3 was 3.5 weeks early, milk came in ok for me, so hopefully things will run smoothly and speedily this time and you can have lots of skin to skin in the early days to help.

Porridge oats are supposed to be very good- old wives tale etc, but I had porridge / flap jacks whilst bf and if anything had over supply.

[bluewisteria]

Ooh, oats! Fab, I'll start having them for brekkie again this week! Might pack some for hospital snacks in the first few days too.

[elephantoverthehill]

I think Blue the most important thing is to try to be relaxed. Hey if your baby ends up on formula it is not the end of the world? If you are relaxed BF is more likely to be successful. After my second the Midwife asked me if I would like to feed DS2, I looked at her like she was an eejit and told her I had already had. What I am trying to say is you and your baby will know what is best for the two of you. Do not worry and go with the flow (sorry for the pun)

[bluewisteria]

Yes I don't mind formula, won't feel I've failed etc etc. it's just the ease of it, not having to sterilise bottles, crawl out of bed through the night etc. basically I'm lazy! I won't kill myself over it, or feel guilty, but after DD2 I know I can if the milk comes in.

[elephantoverthehill]

Yes I know what you mean . With my DC3 I explained to the other DCs that it was useful being able to carry a packed lunch around with me with no effort to prepare it.

[MsMargaretCarter]

The only thing that really helps is frequent feeding. The more that is removed, the more there will be. You can't do anything to boost supply before the baby is born as the body only gets the message to produce milk (other than small amounts of colostrum) after the placenta is born.

[Onesliceortwo]

Oats and relax ...... Milk takes time - and even longer if you are fretting. Good luck