C section at 38 weeks. How does your body know to produce colostrum?

[suwoo]

Sorry, my second question of the day.

Is it the suckling of the baby at the breast that stimulates colostrum? Is it any more difficult to establish bf with a slightly earlier delivery?

If milk doesn't come in until day 4 or 5, is there alwways enough colostrum?

Thanks

[diedandgonetodevon]

It believe it's the removal of the placenta that stimulates the production of colostrum and there will be enough! Babies tummies are tiny and only need small amounts to start with.

[TheBreastmilksOnMe]

As DAGTH said- also the change from colostrum to milk is gradual- one doesn't end and the other start abruptly.
The detachment of the placenta allows the mlk producing hormones to increase.

[TheBreastmilksOnMe]

The suckling of the baby stimulates further milk production as well as the hormones you have already.

[Castiel]

You may already be producing colostrum too. I certainly was at 38wks. Had an em cs at 38 weeks and excl bfed for 7 months, still feeding at 2 years. Was plenty of colostrum and milk came in around day 3.

[suwoo]

Ah, you do learn something every day. I knew that a vaginal delivery probably helped start the bf process, but wondered how it worked with the c section- so its the removal of the placenta.



Thanks for the re-assurance

[chibi]

don't worry. my ds was born at 34+6, I had colostrum for him. although he is cupfeeding (long story) i do have milk for him.

hth

[Sassyfrassy]

Yes, it's the removal of the placenta. For the first few days your supply will be driven by hormones and that will then gradually switch over to be based on how much milk your baby removes. Putting your baby to the breast is a great help as well of course and will also help your uterus contract more quickly.

I had dd2 by c-section at 37 weeks and got breastfeeding started no problem. The baby might not be very keen the first day though, often they can be quite sleepy but just persevere and try to have lots and lots of skin to skin contact.

[undomesticatedgoddess]

Sassy makes a really good point about lots of skin to skin.

I had my DS2 by CS and he was put straight on to my chest as soon as he was out while they were completing the CS. I had a very understanding obstetrician and anaesthetist though. Worth discussing before you go in to theatre and ask them about their policies. He latched on himself once we were in recovery.

You might be producing colostrum already as others have said. You could always check and it might reassure you.

Good luck with everything!