Is there anything I can do to encourage my milk supply? 36+3 and booked in for a section in a few days...

[PipIsOutNow]

I couldn't breast feed on my first as I had no milk at all, no colostrum, nothing. Midwife suggested it could have been due to traumatic delivery and body going into shock. Anyway, I'm desperate to breast feed this time and was wondering if there's anything I can do now to get my milk production going?

Fenugreek is it? There's something. Brief as feeding. Have you come across the kellymom website? That will have the answer.

I had dd by elective cs and was worried about my milk, it did take a little longer to be established by by day 3 she was bf easily. I'm sure it will be fine for you too.

I found bf after my planned CS a million times easier than after my EMCS. TBH from my experience all I can suggest is to rest, eat and drink well and rest a bit more. Get the midwives to do nappies (I refused to move) then rest when you get home. Stay in your pj's, keep visitors to a minimum and concentrate on what the new baby needs. I always fed DD before she 'asked' for it, I didn't wait for cues - I am a bit of a feeder though!

I habd expressed from 38 weeks and stored the colostrum in the freezer. My milk came in with a vengence after about 36hrs. There is a leaflet on the internet and if you google antenatal hand expressing you should find some info. I only have internet on my phone so can't link to thecleaflet i found Lots of the information is aimed at diabetics which might help your search!

Can you see a lactation consultant before the birth? You may have to see one privately as they're a scarce NHS resource, especially pre-natally. To be honest, I wouldn't take a midwife's wot-I-reckon about something like this, even though some obviously can be great. There are lots of reasons why your milk might not have come in last time and a lactation consultant might be able to work it out and put together a tailored plan for you.

You can find one through here: www.lcgb.org/

Try your local child centre (sure start) as they have Milk drop in's and speak to one of the people there as I am sure they will be willing to help you and answer any questions you might have. I was told by my pre-natal health visitor that you can attend them before you have your baby.

Agree with antenatal colostrum harvesting. Also, lots of skin to skin post birth.
You may not have been able to remove the colostrum, but it would have been there - if you hand express before you give birth, you'll get the hang of it and give you some confidence in handling your breasts.

Then just feed, feed, feed. Don't go by the 'three hourly' feedings which some hospitals seem to advocate, just feed little and often. This will really get things stimulated and is likely to bring in your milk quicker.

Hope all goes well.

Milk coming in is stimulated by the removal of the placenta and thereafter by supply and demand. So you can't do anything before the birth but afterwards you can do lots of skin to skin, offering unfettered access and having to hand contact numbers for bfing counsellors, kellymom, MN and any local bfing support should you need them. I found learning to feed lying down was the biggest thing which helped with both dc.

I have bf both dc following two emcs and second time round it was very straightforward as it wasn't technically an emergency or traumatic in the way delivery one was.

Make bfing your priority. Look after yourself and eat and drink well, rest as much as you need to. This doesn't affect your milk at all but you will fee; better, more positive and better able to deal with the early days of bfing if you aren't totally drained and exhausted.

I will say though with a cs, getting up and about soon afterwards whilst listening to your body is v good for healing. Not only to prevent blood clots but to encourage your body to heal. Lots of skin to skin and cuddling the baby yes, but refusing to move at all can actually be counterproductive where cs healing is concerned.

The other thing which may help is to make sure you stay on top of any painkillers if you need them. You won't want to be bfing on top of a sore wound so take your meds if they're required and don't wait for them to wear off.

Get plenty of chocolate and a water bottle (with flip-top for one-handed opening). Then lots and lots of snuggling with boobs out whilst keeping your reserves up and you well-hydrated.