Low milk supply after c section

[QuantumGirl]

Hi everyone my DD is 8 days old and my milk still hasn't come. Im formula feeding her and expressing 3 times a day but I don't get more than 10ml each time. I had a c section which apparently affects the milk supply but I'm worried the supply will never increase. Has anyone been in this position? Did it get better or shall I just accept it's the way it is? 🥺

Congratulations on the arrival of your new baby

Are you spending lots of time with baby on the breast? The best stimulation to bring your milk in is undoubtably your baby suckling. I would aim to put the baby to your breast for at least 30 mins or so at least every 2 to 3 hours, day and night. Night time stimulation is super important as your hormone levels are primed for stimulation of milk at night time.

If you're already feeding baby mostly on formula, then you'll need to continue this until baby is getting enough from you to start decreasing the formula.

Your hospital will probably have an Infant Feeding Team to support you with this. If you can't find the direct number, call your midwife or the post natal ward and ask them. It's almost certainly not too last to breastfeed, but get some support quickly as it'll be easier if you make a start ASAP.

Good luck!

Yes agree with pp - lots of skin to skin and put baby to the breast as often as possible. It's very normal for babies to cluster feed (where they stay latched for hours on end) and it's important to let this process happen as it builds up your supply. Expressing is no indication of supply - I have ebf both my children and never managed to express a drop! I also breastfed after a c section so it is possible to do. Good luck and congratulations on your baby.

Thank you so much for your replies ladies, much appreciated ❤️. Whenever I put her on my breast she suckles for a few seconds then moves her head away as to say 'there is nothing here Mum' but I keep trying regardless. I'm also doing skin to skin as much as possible. The midwives suggested fenugreek which I'm happy to give it a go 🤞🤞🤞

I had low milk supply due to an emergency c section. I combi fed, and when baby was stronger (she was 5lbs) we went fully breastfed. Lots of skin to skin, she doesn't needs to suck but access and her head bobbing on you and rooting will help with supplies. I used a breastfeeding specialist attached to a children's centre but I'm not sure they still exist. If you can find/ring breastfeeding charities for help please do - it's the one thing I regret not doing.

Hey, OP. If you're not feeding LO directly and only pumping three times a day then your supply will ebb away pretty quickly I'm afraid.
I don't think this has anything to do with the C-section tbh and everything to do with a lack of breastfeeding support. Fenugreek won't help when the breasts aren't being "told" to make the milk.
You need to to pumping at least 8 times a day, including through the night in order to start building your supply back up. Keep putting LO to the breast, offering both sides and, ideally, switching sides several times during each feed to maximise stimulation.
Can you access some help from someone qualified in breastfeeding support?

I had a low/delayed supply due to losing lots of blood and retained placenta. We gave formula top ups to begin with and it took a couple of months to build my supply and slowly reduce them. I could never express more than a few ml and still can't but we got there with primarily breastfeeding.