Worries about delayed milk after c section

[SassyPants87]

Hi all so I may have to have a c section (waiting a couple of weeks to find out) funnily enough the main thing worrying me is delayed milk supply as I know this can occur after c sections. I can't harvest my colostrum as baby is transverse and I have a low lying placenta and harvesting can bring on labour which they don't want me to do

I guess I just need some reassurance as I want to exclusively breast feed but if I'm not producing enough milk in the the first couple of day (or any) is that okay for baby!? Should I take some ore made forumla just in case? I don't want to end up relying on the formula and then just giving up BF

Even with a normal labour milk takes a few days to come in , I’ve had a section and normal deliveries and my milk actually came
In faster after the section , either way it will happen and the baby will get everything it needs from your colsostrum for the first few days.

You only produce colostrum in the first few days no matter how you give birth. This is small amounts but high in nutrients that baby needs. Once you start feeding this will trigger the production of milk. My friend had c section, I didn't, we both found milk was coming through around 48 hours after birth.

Breastfeeding for me was far better with my c section birth. Really struggled after the natural but it was quite a traumatic birth. The c section was really calm and as soon as dc was out they put him on my chest and he was latching on when I was still in theatre. Keep putting baby on the boob and you’ll be fine. Good luck op x

Milk normally comes in on day 3 and if baby does lots of suckling this will probably still happen.
At birth baby's tummy is the size of a marble, so drops of colostrum will be plenty.
If there is a delay you can spoon/cup feed a tiny bit of formula, but no need to plan for this as you probably won't need it.
Have you done some research on good breast feeding positions after a C-section and how to pick up baby and put them back down when you're recovering. This may help you feel more prepared.

I had an emcs with my first and wasn't aware of this delay. From memory everything happened in the order it should have done. Did all the skin to skin etc. Try not to worry. X

Hi op. Completely understand why you'd be worried. There is lots of information about how a natural delivery can help get breastfeeding off to a good start. It is possible for milk to be delayed after a cs but can also happen after a traumatic natural delivery. Most often milk will come in as normal, as it is delivery of the placenta that triggers milk making process. Ive have had 3 cs and my milk always came in on day 3 and before that babies fed well on colostrum. Have a look into breastfeeding after a cs to reassure yourself (la leche league, Kelly mom, association of breastfeeding mothers all have sound evidence based information). Sounds like you're clued up and will deal well with any challenges that come your way.

Had some probs with DC1 latching on, for first few days, DC1 cried loads and lost weight. Was v lucky and got help with b-feeding from a community midwife, and in meantime (not textbook!) syringed in some formula, and had DC on the boob loads.

With DC2 just assumed would be slow, and syringed in formula on day 1 and 2. Knew what I was doing with b-feeding that time, so was much easier.

B-fed them both.

DH helped by dealing with everything else whilst was recovering, eg nappies, changing.

Hey, I've had a c section and my milk came in fine. I didn't harvest colostrum either. It came in around day 3. Lots of skin to skin and letting baby nurse on demand is the best way to trigger your milk to come in. Good luck!

I took a pump with me and pumped as much as possible the first couple of days to make sure the milk came in.

It's a good idea to have some formula with you just incase. Giving your baby tiny top ups (if needed) will not harm your breastfeeding journey.

I've had two sections (#2 transverse!) and no problems breastfeeding at all. I do think my milk was maybe 24 hours or so slower to come in compared to my friends who had natural deliveries (particularly the second time as I had a big loss) but I've only had sections so hard to say. I had two good big healthy babies, so really it just meant an extra night of cluster feeding to bring it in.

When in doubt, shove a boob in a baby, it'll come in soon enough

I had an emergency section at 33 weeks. My milk can in no problem on day 3

I've had 2 c sections, DD1 at 36 weeks due to placenta previa, DD2 elective at full term. My breastmilk was delayed with the first and because she was very little she had a few days of formula but I was on a pumping regime at the same time and my milk came in at day 5 and she was exclusively bf from there on out.

Dd2 milk came in as normal with no issues.

Don't panic about this. Even if you have a slight delay, you can work round it. Good luck.

DD was born by planned section at 39 weeks. My she fed happily within about 20 mins of being born. My milk didn't come in properly until day 6. There was a couple of weeks of keeping a close eye on her weight whilst she caught back up but we went on to EBF and I'm still BF her at 22 months.

Even if your milk is a little late it doesn't mean you won't successfully establish breast feeding.

I had an elective c section and my milk came in on day 3.

I didn’t have a csection but it took 5 days for my milk to come in. He lost 11% of his body weight which was not ideal but not uncommon.

After he got weighed on day 5 I topped up every feed with a bit of formula (15mils) but by that evening my milk came in 🙌

I was also hand expressing colostrum and feeding this to my DS as well .

I went on to exclusively breastfeed for 6 months and continued to nurse until he weaned himself at 14 months .

Ds1 was born by EMCS following a traumatic and complicated labour and had gained back his birth weight after 5 days from EBF. My milk came in on day 2 I believe and good lord could that baby feed well.

Ds2 was ELCS and I EBF him too, no issues with milk coming in.

2 c-sections and milk came in (a lot of it!) by day three both times x

Thank you so much everyone! I really appreciate your responses and it's definitely made me feel less anxious!

Hi op, I had an induced labour followed by an emergency c section at 38 plus 6. No issues with my milk but I did take the 'first formula' from asda just in case. It's ready made in disposable bottles, my hospital recommends this :)

It will probably be fine especially as it's a planned section so you won't have stressful or traumatic labour beforehand

I would say- there can be a tricky gap when you milk hasn't come in but the baby wants it, however you give birth. I wish I had been more relaxed about giving a couple of formula feeds on day two with DC1 as I was adamant I wouldn't give formula and she lost quite a bit of weight. When dc2 was hungry on day 2 and milk wasn't quite there yet, I just gave formula after each bf. once milk came in on day 3 he didn't have any more formula for months. Much better idea as neonatal weight loss is actually really dangerous.