Delayed milk after C-section

[sunisbetterthanrain]

I'm 5 days post C-section and my milk hasn't come in yet, baby is really fussy and I'm just not convinced she's really getting anything from me! I can't feel the let down and can tell it's not "flowing"
I have heard it can take longer for milk to come in after a cesarian but how long? Are there ever instances where is just never comes in? I've successfully BF previous babies but they were born vaginally and milk came in much quicker than this.

This happened to me following a c-section. The only way the milk will flow is if your baby suckles. In the short term you will probably need to top up with formula but if you're going to bf long term and want the milk to come then use a pump as much as possible between feeds (8-10 times for 10 minutes at a time is what I did) and always start with boob before using the bottle. Lots of staying in bed with the baby and without your top on so they can sook whenever. It took quite a few weeks for me to balance it all out and finally be just boob.

I had a subsequent c-section and breastfed no bother so I don't think it is always a problem.

How much time is baby spending on the breast? The more she sucks the quicker your milk will come. I was told to pump for 20 minutes each side after each feed when my milk was slow to come in after a c section.

She's on the breast constantly, and I really do mean constantly! hours on end but not seeming satisfied. I have topped up with formula the last couple of days which satisfies her but I'm conscious I don't want to delay milk further in doing this. The breast pump doesn't seem to produce anything

Hi OP, many congratulations on your birth!

This happened to me too, and my NCT friends. Some of them said their milk came in 'properly' 8-10 days after their c-sections. These friends have been able to breast feed exclusively, so don't give up hope (though one did get sent back into hospital as their little girl was losing weight due to her lack of supply, but she still managed to increase her supply to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months).

I had work hard to get a good supply, but I did start supplementing with formula when I was told I wasn't producing enough (which is a vicious circle when it comes to your supply!). It worked fine for my little boy, as he was (and still is!) very well, but not good for my plans to exclusively breastfeed.

In the end I saw a lactation consultant who advised me to hire a hospital grade medula pump and pump 6/8 times a day to increase my supply. It worked and I was able to pump 400 mls a day and give this to my baby, with formula on top, but it wasn't an easy journey. He is now a very healthy and thriving 8 month old.

I honestly learnt that any amount of breast milk is AMAZING for your baby, so you are doing a phenomenal job OP!