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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

When did your milk come in?

19 replies

Thefaceofboe · 22/09/2021 23:45

When did everyone’s milk come in after a c section? I’m almost on day 3 and getting really fustrated with the whole thing

I’ve managed to hand express colostrum for her which was going really well the day of section and during the night, but that seems to have dried up a lot and is agony trying to get even a small amount now. Midwifes are being pretty useless with advice and being told different things by each one.

I can’t sleep I’m sick with worry she hasn’t had enough and when I’ve told the midwife they’ll say ‘I’ll be back’ and just don’t bother. When I press the button again it’s a different midwife and I have to explain everything again

OP posts:

Kinsters · 23/09/2021 03:43

I gave birth vaginally and my milk came in on day 4 I think. Try not to worry too much. Is she feeding often to stimulate supply even if you don't think she's getting much? Its all very hazy but I remember night 3 or night 4 my DD suckled for hours and hours in a row and was still crying. I think my milk came in the next day. We then had the opposite problem and my breasts were so engorged with milk that she couldn't latch. Everything I read said to hand express to take some pressure off to allow her to latch but the only thing that ended up working was nipple shields which I used from day five until she stopped needing them at five months.

These early days are so so hard, especially without proper support. Hang in there, it gets easier x

Fluffyowl00 · 23/09/2021 05:53

Day 5 (after C section) I worried about the colostrum too, but it was fine. Had plenty of milk. Just keep putting her on the boob. Even if you think it isn’t working and isn’t enough it will be. Colostrum is magic stuff, they need hardly any.

Also my baby had bad tongue tie, and I was in agony day 4 so mainly gave DC formula, and my milk still came in on day 5. Don’t worry, just get some rest and look after yourself.

MoreAloneTime · 23/09/2021 05:57

Day 4 after s more difficult birth and sooner after my more straightforward one. Its normal for it to take longer after a c section. Keep baby latched as much as you are able to as this will stimulate it

Original poster

Thefaceofboe · 23/09/2021 08:01

Thanks everyone. Baby has had trouble latching and also been in a UV incubator for 12 hours due to jaundice so haven’t had her on the breast like i usually would have.

Hoping we have a better day today

OP posts:

Garman · 23/09/2021 08:07

Have they given you a hospital grade pump to use while she's in the incubator? Was she feeding from the breast prior to uv rreament as well as hand expressing?

Gorl · 23/09/2021 08:09

Day 3, quite late on.

Pissinthepottyplease · 23/09/2021 08:12

You need a hospital grade pump and use it every 3 hours from the start of pumping. Milk is produced because it’s needed.

MrsArchchancellorRidcully · 23/09/2021 08:31

Op I had 2 sections an bf spectacularly failed both times. First, my milk never came in and I got zero help in hospital.

Section 2 my milk did come in and he got colostrum but he never latched. I had bd consultants to house and no one could help. DS ended up back in hospital as he lost too much birth weight. Milk was pouring out of my breasts but he just wouldn't. Found out at SEVEN months old he has tongue tie, despite me asking 2 midwives, a hospital paediatrician and a bf consultant. All said no. It was very upsetting.

My point is, if it doesn't happen for you don't beat yourself up like I did. Dc are 13 and 9 and doing just fine. I was bf as a child and am overweight. I healed by wearing DS in a sling to keep him close and doing baby led weaning. You'll get next to no help in hospital. Easy to say but just enjoy your baby. Good luck.

Garman · 23/09/2021 08:35

Just to follow on to the last poster's post, a lactation consultant can diagnose tongue tie andnotheenissues, midwives, paediatricians and bf consultants aren't trained specifically in those breastfeeding medical issues.

Ask to see a lactation consultant in your hospital if you want more support/if the hospital pump doesn't help OP.

Original poster

Thefaceofboe · 23/09/2021 08:51

Have they given you a hospital grade pump to use while she's in the incubator? Was she feeding from the breast prior to uv rreament as well as hand expressing?

She took a while but eventually got the hang of latching but still wasn’t feeding particular great. They did say because she’s a 37 weeker and c section baby this might take a bit loner for her to get the hang of.

They offered me the pump last night so I’ve been using that.

I’m hoping once her bloods are back and she’s out the incubator we can just pick up where we left off and my milk will come in quickly. I’ve had to her give some formula because I’m so worried about her getting dehydrated, especially being under the light

OP posts:

Kinsters · 23/09/2021 08:59

Keep going with the pumping even if you aren't getting anything. It'll help your supply to come in.

CookieMumsters · 23/09/2021 09:02

I had an emergency section, and my milk came in day 3. The midwife was so surprised she phoned the infant feeding team at the hospital.

MrsMariaReynolds · 23/09/2021 15:28

Day 5, after a crash C-section under general anesthesia.

LunaDreams · 23/09/2021 21:53

I'm day 4 post EMCS and milk came in today.

Issues with latching since birth though so have been using a pump and hand expressing which I think has helped.

Original poster

Thefaceofboe · 23/09/2021 23:10

@LunaDreams oh good to know. I’ve managed to get baby to latch today and she’s doing really well. My milk still hasn’t come in but it’s definitely increased my flow with her being latched on so hopefully within a day or 2.

I find the hand expressing so tiresome so hopefully won’t have to do much more.

OP posts:

LunaDreams · 24/09/2021 09:50

@Thefaceofboe great work on the latching front 👏

Do you have a pump to hand or can you borrow one? Hand expressing is such a ball ache and I really do think it was the pump that did it for me

LunaDreams · 24/09/2021 09:52

Sounds like you're doing a great job @Thefaceofboe- keep going!

P.S. my friend also brought me some breastfeeding tea from Amazon. I'm slightly skeptical of stuff like that but it tastes nice if nothing else!

Chanel05 · 25/09/2021 10:10

Cat 1 emcs: my milk never came in. Ever. Huge blood loss and the trauma stopped my body from milk coming in.

yaboreme · 02/10/2021 19:42

Pretty much nothing until day 5! Then loads of the stuff! My DS was also in an incubator as his stats indicated infection so spent 3 days in NICU. I was encouraged to get what I could and they topped up with formula.

When we were taken to the transition ward, he had problems latching and had tongue tie, snipped it quickly and was much better. Before that we were going through the motions but not a lot of milk hence why they topped him up. Can you request to speak with someone? Is there a breast feeding consultant at the hospital to offer help?

It's so annoying when you have to keep repeating yourself, but keep persisting

Good luck x

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