AIBU To Think my Milk Won't Come In? When did you get yours?

[QS90]

I'm interested in what day people's milk came in, especially after a planned c-section? Our boy was born 28th, so he is 4 days old. I'm still making only about a ml of milk at a time, so AIBU to think that's it now and I will under produce? As I have risk factors for low supply - trouble conceiving, 32 years old, no breast changes or growth in pregnancy, endometriosis, lost 1 litre blood in section... I did all of that over-pumping every 2 hours, skin to skin etc with my first - it was utterly miserable and ultimately unsuccessful, so if it's not going to come in properly with just regular BFing for a few days, need to get myself on Amazon for some new bottles...

YABU - MIL might still come in properly

YANBU - Buy yourself some bottles!

Good luck @QS90 but don’t stress if it doesn’t happen, as long as your baby is fed that’s the main thing.

Thanks all too, for the words of support and encouragement. It just feels bloody harder than it needs to be! But don't want to go back to being a slave to cleaning bottles / planning the day around being near a kettle if possible 😓It will be what it will be though I suppose.

Day six after my c section with my premie twins.

Always had plenty of milk once it came in and I BF for two years.

All of mine have been around the same weight as yours. Their stomachs are the same size though as other babies. Google new born stomach sizes it helped me how truly little they need to eat.

To answer your question OP. In general when your milk comes in your boobs will get engorged. They'll be very firm to the touch, potentially a bit lumpy and uncomfortable etc. They might not though. Another thing to look out for is your none feeding boob leaking quite a bit when let down is triggered by the side you're feeding from. If you're wearing a breast pad this won't be noticeable, but if you unclip your bra and keep an eye on it you should see it.

Humans are mammals. There is no other species of mammal whose milk allegedly "never comes in" so often. If lactation failure were as common as the formula companies want us to believe, our species would have gone extinct long ago.

Day 3 the hospital suggested I supplement as DS was losing weight and it didn’t seem like I was producing much. I continued offering breastmilk and supplemented as well for the next 5 days before DS started chunking up. Also got a lactation doula privately to advise on latching as hospital were rubbish. DS went on to breastfeed for over 3 years so hang in there if it’s what you want to do.

Thanks all - I think milk has come in now, which is Day 6, so consistent with what a few posters who also had c-sections had. It wasn't a big event though. They look a bit less sad than usual, but certainly no "Pamela Anderson" effect. The tip about the other leaking boob was a good telltale sign, thanks @Curiosity101 .

Baby now attached to boob 24/7 though! Mainly just because he wants it in his mouth whilst he's asleep it seems. Presumably to stimulate the boob as much as possible even if he's not swallowing much. Am glad it's finally happened though. Breastfeeding clinic were very helpful too and confirmed correct latch etc.

Most importantly:
Relax
Enjoy cuddling your baby
Be somewhere where you are private and comfortable.

With my band born by ELCS it was day 5. I just fed her pretty much round the clock whilst in hospital. It was a bit stressful as she was constantly feeding and not getting as much as she wanted!

with my 3rd also born after ELCS it was a bit different as my 2nd was only 14 months and I’d stopped feeding her the month before he was born.

Good luck with cluster feeding! It gets better. I always think the first 6 weeks are the worst, if you can make it to 6 weeks it'll all click and be so much easier.

If he's constantly attached just think of it as him putting his order in for the next few days.

Get bent.

Yey! Glad for you. Start something really long on Netflix and get LOADS of snacks.