Delayed breast milk after c section

[Koalie]

Hi ladies
I am day 7 post c section and my milk still hasn’t come in! I’ve tried everything … skin to skin, pumping after every feed, moringa tablets and fenegreek, SNS. Am I chasing something that just isn’t going to happen or has anyone else had their milk come in this late before? Should I keep trying or switch to formula for my own sanity?
x

When you say ‘hasn’t come in’ what exactly do you mean? That you don’t feel fullness in your breasts, or that you can’t get any milk with either a pump or hand expressing? Is baby going on the breast at all, sucking and swallowing? When you squeeze your nipple what happens - do you get a drop of yellow, white or clear liquid? Have you seen a lactation consultant?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get a clearer picture of what’s going on.

No, @wordywitch , thank you for asking. My boobs do feel a little bit full in the morning but nothing like what I remember them being with my little boy. It’s difficult to know whether she’s getting much when feeding on the boob … it definitely sounds like she’s gulping and swallowing but not for long and then she falls asleep - tried all the tricks like breast compressions but I get the feeling she just runs out of milk quickly and gives up. When I pump after a feed, I’m getting about 5ml total. I’ve just pumped first thing in the morning today rather than feeding from the boob because I wanted to see how much was coming out and it’s 15ml total … still slightly yellow looking. I haven’t seen a lactation consultant this time around but I did with my son which is where I got all the tips and tricks. Can’t decide whether it’s worth seeing one again now that I’m already encountering these issues … I feel like I’m wasting my newborn bubble by being consumed by all of this. 🥺 x

How is baby’s weight? Plenty of wet and dirty nappies??

@MrsPatrickDempsey … only had her weighed on day 5 and she had lost 8% of her birth weight. Yes to wet and dirty nappies x

I think it sounds like you are doing really well. It’s really challenging when breastfeeding has no visuals or indicators of quantity but we are only obsessed with it because of bottle feeding.

If baby is sucking and swallowing and is falling asleep content after a feed, having plenty of wet and dirty nappies, and weight loss is within normal then your milk is definitely in, even if you don’t feel a lot of fullness. When it’s your second baby your body has done it before and so you sometimes don’t get the engorgement you often get with the first.

It sounds like you’re actually doing well and baby is content after feeds. What you get out with a pump is not a reliable indicator of your supply as babies are much more efficient than a pump. Is baby having any formula?

Milk doesn't come in as well after a CS. You end up missing some of the hormones that you get from giving birth naturally. I had children both ways and establishing BF was much more difficult after the CS. One thing they said was be sure to feed/ pump in the night. Feeding in the night increases supply. Something to do with hormones again. Sounds like your baby is feeding and doing well. They will probably gain weight over the next few weeks. There is a drug you can take to increase milk supply but I can't remember the name of it. You could ask for some if you are still concerned. Sounds like you are doing a great job.

If the nappies are as they should be I'd stick with what you're doing for now. What astonished me about my 2DD both born by c section was how different they were at feeding, the first one was the one I didn't think was getting/taking much. But they both thrived. Have faith in yourself and your body!

Thank you so much everyone. Yes, I’ve been giving her formula using a supplementary feeding system (so that I don’t have to introduce a bottle yet and she’s still feeding on the boob so I’m not missing out on the stimulation) it’s a ball ache tbh but from my last two pumping sessions, I think I’m finally seeing some more milk, albeit still quite yellow! I’m also feeding and pumping in the night :) I’ve decided to go and see the lactation consultant tomorrow so fingers crossed they can offer some more insight/tips and tricks.
Thank you everyone for your encouragement, it’s given me a boost to keep going for now :) x