Producing colostrum three weeks after birth

[Gemmy96]

Had an EMCS three weeks ago and I'm still only producing colostrum. I am exclusively formula feeding atm but decided to have another go and have found that I'm still producing colostrum-- not loads but a LOT more than I was in the days after the birth. I hadn't pumped for about two weeks until tonight.

Is there still a hope of milk coming in? Why would I still be producing colostrum? I'm thinking of seeing a lactation consultant but not sure if it's worth it at this stage

Congratulations on baby!

Im not an expert but this is my view… if you are still producing colostrum then there is an opportunity to still breastfeed. I think your milk would only come in if you are breastfeeding baby (and your body knows baby is there to feed and therefore your body starts to produce the milk). Milk tends to come in 3-5 days after you start to feed baby with colostrum.

My advice would be to let baby go to the breast and then follow up after baby has finished at the breast with formula. I don’t think colostrum alone would be enough to sustain baby that is three weeks old (and used to formula) but you need to stimulate your body to make the milk.

As I say, I’m not expert - I would follow up with a breastfeeding consultant to get the right advice (you don’t want baby to go hungry but you also don’t want to miss the opportunity if it is still there and you’d like to take it!)

good luck xx

I agree with advice above. Milk comes in because your breasts are being stimulated to make milk. So the more baby suckles the more likely milk will come. Unfortunately they go longer between feeds with formula and tend to cluster feed those first few days especially when breastfeeding which gets the milk going. If you want to breast feed keep offering breast.

Depending where you are based there may be local groups you can speak to. Where I live there are people that come out for free or you can contact them. Maybe do a google search for where you are.

Definitely worth seeing a lactation consultant, you can ask if they have experience of re lactation before you choose one. Do it asap though! Better to put baby to chest than pump

Keep latching your baby - this will stimulate your body to being in the mature milk. It’s absolutely possible to establish breastfeeding this early on, especially if your body is still geared to lactate. Definitely worth seeing a lactation consultant if you’re wanting to breastfeed

Absolutely definitely possible, and great you still have a supply, will baby latch at breast? If so, would offer breast at each feed, and if not would recommend trying to pump a few times during the day, and absolutely overnight to try stimulate your supply. Lactation consultant would be a great move and also local BF support groups