Help! DD born Monday, milk still not come in

[ClaireFraser]

My milk still hasn't come in on day 5 and I'd love any advice on how to speed it up, or reassurance from from those who's milk also took s while but we t on to bf successfully

Sorry if this is long and rambling but trying to give all info that might be relevant.

DC1 was born 4.30am Mon, following an induction at 38+4 for high blood pressure/mild pre-eclampsia. Delivery was straightforward with no intervention.

I bf her within half an hr of delivery and did lots of skin to skin, plus feeding on demand.

We were in hospital until weds night due to my bp/bloods and DD's mild jaundice.

Comm midwife came out third & dd had lost 12.8% of her body weight, she was v sleepy and not feeding and we were re admitted.

The hospital then fed her 35ml formula to help rehydrate her and for me to start pumping. Then put us on 3hr feeding plan: bf, 50ml ebm/formula (as much bm as I could express, topped up to 50ml with formula) and then for me to pump 10-15min per side. Repeat starting every 3hrs (ie 3am, 6am, 9am) plus any additional bfeeds she wanted.
We've been doing this for 2.5days now and although DD seems to be thriving and is putting on weight my milk still doesn't seem to come in yet. It's definitely lighter in colour than the deep yellow of colostrum and I always get something when I pump, it varies from 7ml to about 25ml. My breasts feel slightly fuller and heavier and hotter but I still haven't had the tight, full sensation that the midwives keep telling me about, they feel pretty soft all the time. I keep waking up hoping it will have come in during the night.

Is it normal for your milk to take this long? Is there anything else I can do to speed it up? Or is there anything that might have been missed which is stopping it coming in?

I'm no expert but I think it's not unusual for it to take that long. Mine came in on day 5. There's some information here. [[
kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/when-will-my-milk-come-in/]]

Getting lighter gradually sounds like a good sign - you may find you get the full feeling quite soon, I did about 12 hours after that lightening.

Btw link lists reasons it can happen, some of which need sorting, e.gm retained placenta.

And congratulations!

Also worth getting some really reliable advice on whether the latch is ok and she's transferring well. Midwives unfortunately are not always great at this, seek out a specialist if you can while you're there, or try a bf group once home.

I never had that full, tight feeling with DS, my milk came in on day 2 and the transition was seamless. This however, is not how it works in the majority of cases but it is worth pointing out that it's not always the leaking, engorged situation you expect.

Are you still in hospital? What sort of support are you getting in terms of the actual breastfeeding? Have you seen somebody trained to help with feeding? Have they watched a full feed? Also, have you been using the hospital grade super duper pumps? What happens when you hand express, is this any more productive?

The kellymom link (like the whole kellymom website tbh) is superb.

Many, many congratulations btw and well done for persevering. You must be absolutely exhausted. Sounds like quite the week. Do you have lots of support?

Did you notice my restraint in not suggesting you get Jamie or Frank to help with the bringing in of your milk (now I'm really hoping your name references that Claire Fraser).

My milk never 'came in' in the dramatic way they talked about. It isn't that way for everyone. Sounds a bit like yours has already or is on its way as surely you wouldn't get 25ml of colostrum when pumping.

I am also struggling with this. I had a c section 8 days ago and breastfed from the start. After about day 4 the baby was getting dehydrated as not getting enough from me, so was bottle fed. I tried expressing, but only managed to get a couple of mls, so milk either not come in or not letting down? I now breast feed first and then top up with formula, but he is drinking huge amounts of formula and so don't think he is getting much from me. My breasts feel soft like the milk is just not coming in properly. I am so frustrated as really wanted to breast feed, but just not sure its possible.

I was thinking of maybe trying acupuncture? Has anyone tried this and has it worked? Sorry not much help, but in the same situation.

Ask analytical armadillo on Facebook. She's saved me more than once with issues!

I had a section and lost a lot of blood, and as a result my milk took 5 days to come in. I was told it was mainly due to low iron, but that tiredness and not drinking enough water could also be a problem. I was ready to give up by the time it did come in, so I know how frustrating it is I don't know if it'd be worth you taking some iron tablets?
Pumping helped me A LOT, so I'd recommend doing that as often as you can.
I hope your supply picks up soon, and congratulations

Everything I was going to say has been said. Except, I know it can be a source of stress at first but persevere, it's very much worth it when it does come. And it will.

Congrats OP and Toddling. If breastfeeding is what you want to do please try to see a dedicated breastfeeding expert as soon as possible. General rule of thumb is baby on boob at every opportunity and lots of skin to skin, but seeing an expert really is the best way to ensure you get your supply up and running. Congrats again

Thank you for all your helpful replies and messages of congratulations, my apologies for posting and not replying - the last 48hrs have pretty much Been a feeding marathon! I read the replies and took on board your advice but having the time to reply seemed like an impossibility! The good news is that the constant feeding ad pumping seems to have done the trick and my milk has now come in. Perseverance and determination.

We've dropped all the formula top ups now and the ebm top ups, I'm going to pump a couple of times a day to boost my supply and to store in the freezer.

The midwife came out yesterday for our day 5 visit and is really pleased with the weight DD has put back on, only a 2.8% loss from her birthweight now, so well within normal. Unfortunately we both have thrush which is making the latch pretty uncomfortable, but DH has gone out to pick up my prescription and I e been smothering my nipples in coconut oil to soothe them, so rhopefully the combination will do the trick.

Thank you all once again!

I meant to add, I still don't have that exploding boob feeling, they feel fuller and heavier but not like they've been pumped with a bike pump.

I spoke to my community midwife , who's seen me throughout my pregnancy, about this and she said that some women never get that feeling. Wish someone had told me that in hospital!

Well done!

Hope the thrush clears fast.

Glad things are improving. Sorry about the thrush, I never realised how painful it was until I had it.

My milk didn't come in for six days after DS1 was born. He was 5 weeks early and small, and I was exhausted from pre-eclampsia and a c-section. I was panicking and about to just give in to formula (he'd been having 'top ups') when I awoke on the seventh morning to find - lo - I had gone from a 32A to looking like Jordan. It was terrifying !

I was surprised when my milk came in after 2 days with DS2, but his birth was much easier, and he never stopped feeding from birth, 24/7.

Well done OP that's brilliant. Sorry about the thrush, ouch.

So glad things are picking up for you. I never had that sudden full feeling either - when you are feeding really frequently it doesn't always happen.

Just wanted to say, thrush is supposed to be really unusual in very new babies - how was it diagnosed?

I noticed little white spots on the roof of her mouth and mentioned it to the midwife (I googled it and said I thought it was thrush) and she checked and said she thought it was too.

Then two days later my nipples started getting really itchy and pink and tight, mentioned this to another midwife and she said she thought I had it too.

What do you think it might be if it is t thrush? Am seeing my
Midwife and a breastfeeding consulting tomorrow so can raise any queries/suggestions etc with them then

Poor you - it does sound like thrush. Hope it improves very soon. Whether it is or isn't, checking the latch and positioning can only be helpful.

I never had that firm feeling but maybe that is because I have large boobs 34FF. I never felt the so called let down either. Plus I rarely achieved more than 25-40ml when expressing and that was after feeding for months. When I tried early days I probably managed 10ml. A little time and by next week I'm sure you will feel its has come in properly.

Can't add much but to say that my milk took 5 days to come in. Once it did, dd put on a minimum of 1/2lb per week (often a whole lb) and I fed her until she was 2.9yrs. Yet I was never able to express more than 30mls in one go!

Oh and congratulations on your new arrival.

Congrats on the perseverance and success. Not sure about thrush but can definitely recommend using lansinoh lanolin to soothe your poor nipples when it clears. It's expensive but worth every penny to me. After a while you won't even need it.