Day 6 no boob milk (HELP) UPDATED

[Hazel]

Connie is now 6 days old and I still haven't got any milk. My boobs feel "slightly" heavier and I get a tiny drip of clear liquid come out when I squeeze them but that's it . I've tried a breast pump also and getting a little drip but it's not enough to even go in the bottle. Midwife said it would be here by day 3 and she is surprised that I still have nothing when I saw her yesterday. I'm putting baby on my boob until she starts getting to upset and then having to give her a bottle according to mw instructions. She seems content and she's only waking once in the night already so don't want to upset this routine to much but I wanted to breastfeed.

Am I likely to get any milk now???

Day 7
Midwife has been today had a feel of my boobs and I have nothing in them and no sign of anything coming . I have had to give her a bottle as she isn't getting anything at all from me. I asked mw whether the fact I've got PCOS could be a factor and she thinks it might (conceived with fertility treatment(IUI)). I've googled it today and it says there is a link between low milk supply and PCOS , looking on the internet there may be something that the doctor can prescribe but I fear it may be too late to get my boobs going as it looks like I would have needed to start it in the month before birth. I will ask mw on Monday anyway but it looks as though I will be bottle feeding from now on. I've given it a good go and didn't even get the bottles out of the packaging until she was 4 days old as had to buy some emergency ready made up things a bit quick so I'm not going to beat myself up over it.

Thanks for all your advice.

 

[charlie84]

Now i cant advise on how late is can be for milk to come in as mine came in at a couple of days after birth but i am sure there are women whose milk has come in later and have breastfed successfully.

Some women cant express any milk so i wouldnt use that as a guide as to how much milk you have hun.

Ok so how is baby after she has been on the breast? Is she satisfied?
Have you thought about taking to bed for a day or two. Cuddle up to baby, have plenty of skin to skin and let baby suckle as much as she wants. This will help to build up a supply.

Have you got any breastfeeding councellors you could talk to. Or maybe give the Le Leche League a bell 0845 120 2918.

 

[Fluffy Bunny]

Is she latching on and suckling?

Its unlikely you'll get much (if anything) out from squeezing or using a breastpump, its recommended not to use a pump until at least 6wks, babies are far more efficient at getting milk out and getting your milk supply established. Even when you start expressing around 6wks it can take days to start expressing efficiently, and some people never manage it. This doesn't mean you don't have milk or baby isn't getting any.

I had trouble getting my supply going at the beginning and was given some great advice from a breastfeeding counsellor which really worked. Strip off with your little one and take yourselves off to bed, get some big time skin to skin contact going. Get a good magazine, big glass of water and just chill out with her. Offer the boob periodically and let her suckle and be close and snooze. Do this loads over the next few days, as much as you can.

Take look at midna's great breastfeeding thread
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=87388&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Hope it works out for you, come back and let us know how you are doing

 

[charlie84]

Oh yes as Fluffy Bunny said, how is your latch. Is she on properly? Your midwife should be able to help you with your latch and ensure she is on properly

 

[valentine]

Hi Hazel,

Aw pet, sounds like you are having a hard time.

My absolute instinct is to disagree with your m/w and say that you definitely shouldn't be supplementing. Connie will not be feeding enough from you to stimulate your milk supply due to getting fed from a bottle. I know, I know its so tough as she's hungry and tiny but I'd like to bet that this supplementation has really messed up your milk coming in. Sorry if that sounds tough but it sounds to me like you really have to decide today if you want to breastfeed or not, as if you do, you'll have to be strong and cut right back on the bottles and allow her onto your nipple as often as she wants - 24/7 is ideal to stimulate your supply. This will upset any routine you've got into, but its likely the only way forward if you are committed to breastfeeding.

If I was you and in your situation, I'd cancel my plans and go to bed with your baby or prepare to sit on the sofa for the next 48 hours. Get in lots of drinks, magazines, DVDs etc and do lots and lots of skin to skin with Connie and allow her to feed from you as much and as often as she likes. Don't be tempted to give her a bottle. I know this sounds really militant, but I'm frightened that your milk will not come in now if you continue with the bottles and don't take action now. There is also the danger that Connie will get nipple confusion if she continues to feed from both - babies find it easier to feed from a bottle teat so by introducing one early, there is the real possibility that she may reject the nipple soon in favour of the teat. All the more reason to try and cut down on the bottles asap.

I'd also call a local b/feeding counsellor or helpline - now. NCT Breastfeeding Helpline is 0870 444 8708 or get someone to come and visit you before the weekend is out.

I wish you all the luck in the world - please ask more questions if necessary, if I'm not around, there's loads of other breastfeeders and forum members who'll be happy to help. I'm really sorry again if my post sounds rude or bossy, but its one of those situations where you are probably at a real turning point or decision making point and what you decide to do or decide you can do now will probably impact on the way Connie is fed for her first year.

Valentine Xxx

 

[Fluffy Bunny]

My absolute instinct is to disagree with your m/w and say that you definitely shouldn't be supplementing. Connie will not be feeding enough from you to stimulate your milk supply due to getting fed from a bottle. I know, I know its so tough as she's hungry and tiny but I'd like to bet that this supplementation has really messed up your milk coming in. Sorry if that sounds tough but it sounds to me like you really have to decide today if you want to breastfeed or not, as if you do, you'll have to be strong and cut right back on the bottles and allow her onto your nipple as often as she wants - 24/7 is ideal to stimulate your supply. This will upset any routine you've got into, but its likely the only way forward if you are committed to breastfeeding.

I'd also call a local b/feeding counsellor or helpline - now. NCT Breastfeeding Helpline is 0870 444 8708 or get someone to come and visit you before the weekend is out.

Totally agree but couldn't work out how to word it

It'll be hard so have some of these in advance

 

[Hazel]

Yep, today is my decision day. MW helped me the first day she came out and she was latchng on then screaming when nothing was coming out (it's horrible seeing her cry and I'm giving in to her to quickly ). I'm going to try your advice Valentine and really go for it over the next 48 hours and see how we do.

 

[valentine]

Yep, today is my decision day. MW helped me the first day she came out and she was latchng on then screaming when nothing was coming out (it's horrible seeing her cry and I'm giving in to her to quickly ). I'm going to try your advice Valentine and really go for it over the next 48 hours and see how we do.

Aw petal - I really feel for you, must be so hard to see that happening. I'm in tears here!

If you do this and really commit to it, then I'd like to bet you'll be successful and be sitting here advising others about breastfeeding in a couple of months time. In my book, breastfeeding is 98% about stubbornness.

Please keep us updated, I'll be thinking of you.

Valentine Xxx

 

[charlie84]

Just to add that they have to work harder at the boob to get the milk out. Where as a bottle is easier so a baby so young who is exposed to both options will take the easier route.
Keep putting her on the boob, in the early days for me i sometimes had to ask OH to help put her on with me as she struggled at times. Do you have anyone who can help you if needed?

Good Luck hun

Let us know how things go. I am usually about the forum.

 

[Lola's Mummy]

I don't really have anything to add but wanted you wish you luck

 

[purple13]

like valentine i feel really emotional reading your posts she's given you some great advice hazel - at the moment, the supplementation won't be helping at all... is there a bf councillor in your local HA? our hospital has one and she comes out on visits if you're struggling.

good luck for the weekend - we're all here if you need us

 

[Xena]

Oh hun I think valentine has said it perfectly. I'm so sorry you're struggling with this. It's often not easy in the beginning, and I can't help but feel that your MW has given you poor advice in encouraging you to supplement with formula.
I wish you the best of luck with this. You say you've decided to really go for it for 48 hours. I hope it goes well for you hun

 

[Sherlock]

Yup, what Valentine has said is o so true. Supplementing will not help your supply one little bit and you really just have to tough out the early days and just more or less stay in bed and let your baby feed to get your supply going. Nipple confusion is also a real problem. Bottles are far easier as has been said and so when you then put baby to your boob she has to work harder but will soon get lazy as the bottle is of course easier. Just sticking to the boob for at least the first 6 weeks is the best way.

I really hope that a couple of days in bed just letting your LO suckle as and when will help kick start things. Also lots of skin on skin. Think about it also, when not feeding. Oddly I only have to hear my LO one cry when hungry now and my boobs start leaking Or if someone mentions him and he is not near me.

Good luck. Let us know how things go

 

[NIE]

I don't have any advice babes, I just wanted to give you some support and hugs.

I tried to BF but failed as I was one of those unlucky mums that never produced anything and had to fomula feed.

Keep up that hard work and let us know how things are going. xxx

 

[abcd1234]

I cant really add to whats already been said except that i was told milk can take a week to come in for some people, mine took 3 days, but as has already been said the supplimentation wont have helped.

I hope you're have a nice few days led sbout with her and it works

 

[Jade&Evie]

Well Done for giving it such a good go- I know I would have given up a lot easier than you did

Glad you are ok now x