3 day old, no milk yet. Advice please

[loubaby1]

DS was born 3 days ago. I was determined to breast feed and have been trying really hard. 3 days in however my milk is not here, when I squeeze I can't even see any colostrum or anything.

DS will attach and will suck but I can't tell if he's getting anything. He seems to suck strongly for about 2 mins then stop, he can be on the breast for over an hour but sucking strongly only intermittently the rest just kind of comforting. He also seems more asleep than awake.

Yesterday I was worried he wasn't getting enough so I offered him some formula. He had some of it. Since then I've offered him some formula after he's been on the breast for over an hour. He's only taking about 30 ml.

I don't want to give up on breast feeding but don't want him to starve either. Any advice?

loubaby - hope you are getting support and help from the midwives.

Nothing you say about your 'milk not in' situation strikes me as problematic. 3 days is about average for milk to come in. Up to 5 days is not unusual, and perfectly happy bf can happen with milk coming in even later - with no need for formula unless the baby is showing signs of dehydration, serious loss of weight and if the mum is unable to express colostrum.

Please don't feel the need for squeezing - this is demoralising and an ineffective way to express colostrum.

Your baby's sucking is normal for a newborn - a short time strongly sucking followed by an open-ended time of comfort-type sucking followed by a bit of strong sucking...and so on.

Babies do not normally need more than a few mls at each feed in the early days - 30 mls is a massive amount at this stage and your baby almost certainly does not need it. He will take it, 'cos he is clearly a sensible baby who loves sucking :)

If you think he needs more than he is getting, ask the midwife about expressing colostrum and she will explain about how to do it, and (I hope) let you know if your baby actually needs you to do this (he may not).

Today, or tomorrow, or the next day, your milk will come in and with frequent, responsive feeding all will be well.

A call to any of the bf helplines might be helpful, too.

Honestly, this is not a 'feeding problem' but a 'confidence problem' as far as I can tell....hope things feel better to you soon :)

Hi Loubaby and congratulations on your new one.

Loads of good stuff above from Tiktok of course, but just wanted to add the following-

• Don't worry about starving your baby- his stomach is the size of a marble at this age.
• Are you able to do some skin to skin with him- both of you get naked from the chest upwards and wrap a blanket around you and just cuddle up together. Of just pop him down your jumper.

Hopefully your mw can reassure you and give you some support.

Stick at it, your milk is bound to come in soon.

3 or 4 drops of colustrum is plenty to satisfy your baby for each feed - dont worry, your body knows what it is doing!

Ditto to what tiktok said. No need for formula and it will only cause more issues with supply and confusion.

Ask for help expressing colostrum - it isn't easy even if you have lots. Not being able to express does not mean your baby isn't getting anything. It sounds like your LO is getting food from you okay and the sucking helps stimulate your milk. Plus right now their stomachs are tiny.

Thank you so much, you've made me feel better, I will persevere! Midwife came yesterday but only really asked to see his cord and tick some boxes. Hopefully when my milk comes in I will feel better knowing he's definitely eating.

Keep him close as much as you can, loubaby, and yes, skin to skin and jumper-shoving-up is a good way to do this :)

Your midwife may not have said anything because all was well :)

By day 3-4, babies' poo should be changing in colour from the tarry brown-black stuff to greenish and there should be a few of these today. It's a very useful confirmation the baby is getting colostrum :)

My milk sort of came in around day 3 with DD3, then PROPERLY at day 5 - boy I knew about it then!

DD just sucked on and off for those 3-5 days, she 'fed' about every hour or two which was exhausting, but as she was contented and sleeping in between I wasn't worried. I did feel a little concerned by the night of day 4 as I was shattered and didn't seem to have much milk but tried to remind myself that they really don't need much in the early days. They still have so much fluid and nutrition on board from being in utero.

Anyway I had enormous boobs when I woke up on day 5 (not that I'd really slept much ) and DD3 then fed like a demon all day - completely gorged herself LOL

Good luck

He's not really pooed today, but yesterday they were turning dark green and loads, how many should he do? Sorry! So many questions!

www.nct.org.uk/info-centre/information/view-44 will help you :)

How ya going on Loubaby?