Sections

[kellylou]

Im just wondering if there is a delay in milk coming in when u opt for an elective? With my son it took a few days to come in after emcs wondering if it would be similar this time.

 

[MrsS143]

Should be the same as the body produces the prolactin once the placenta is delivered
Plenty skin to skin and putting baby on for the colostrum xx

 

[kellylou]

Thanks

 

[Lilalylola]

I was thinking this too.. Last time I stopped breastfeeding because I felt I was starving her! As it took2 days for my milk to come in. I felt really worried about her.
I definitely want it to work this time around! Its my last chance.

 

[Maud]

Not much use after the fact, but for future reference please be aware that it is totally normal for it to take a few days for your milk to come in. I think my milk came in after 4-5 days last time. Before then you make the nutrient rich colostrum instead which is really important for baby.

Sadly some professionals fixate so much on early weight loss (which is normal) that they encourage mums to switch to formula unnecessarily. When we went in for a tongue tie snip at 3 days old the doctors who dealt with her admission just kept saying that because she had lost 10% body weight we would need to give formula - which we refused but would totally understand people following such advice. Fortunately my own midwives and HVs were more knowledgeable and supportive!

 

[Lilalylola]

Does it not harm baby if I wait for my milk to come in?

 

[Kholl]

Does it not harm baby if I wait for my milk to come in?

No- we all wait for our milk to come in-babies are designed to thrive on just a bit of colostrum the first few days! My milk came in when my babies were 2-3 days old. And I successfully nursed my first till she was 3.5 and my second is still nursing at 16 months old.

 

[Maud]

I don't know if you saw the news story a while back about a newborn baby left in a drain in Australia? The baby had been left for 5 days without any milk at all but survived and the doctors explained that they are born with nutrients to keep them going. Of course they are meant to get the colostrum until the milk comes in, which is so rich they only need a few mls at a time. Nature is amazing really!

 

[Phoenix85]

Yes, it can take longer after a c section for you to produce mature milk.
Average time is day 2 or 3 for a vaginal birth and day 4 or 5 for a c section delivery.

The difference is that when the baby and placenta are removed manually, there aren't the same hormones circulating as when it (labour or expulsion of the afterbirth) is triggered "naturally", if that makes sense.

But, as long as you put the baby to the breast often they will do fine on the colostrum. They may lose a bit of weight, but it's ok, they will put it all back on again in time.

 

[Phoenix85]

Sadly some professionals fixate so much on early weight loss (which is normal) that they encourage mums to switch to formula unnecessarily.

Exactly this.

When my baby was born she weighed 6lb 11oz. My milk came in on day 2.
At 5 days she was weighed at home and was 6lb exact (by those scales) which is bang on 10% weight loss pretty much, but she was feeding lots so I knew she was fine and I was producing plenty so I told them I was going to carry on breastfeeding (actually I think by then they knew I was adamant about breastfeeding so didn't even suggest topping up or anything, they knew they'd be told where to go )
She didn't get back to birth weight til she was over 15 days old (was 6lb 10oz at 15 days). But after that she gained an average of 8-10oz a week and gained just under 2lb during the two weeks over Christmas and New Year (around week 5 to 7).

Also if it seems your baby has lost a lot of weight, please bare in mind that different scales may be calibrated differently. Just being out by a few ounces makes a huge difference to a baby's weight.
If you have any concerns with weight, make sure they are feeding efficiently, listen for swallowing, try making sure they feed as long as possible from one breast, don't let them go too long between feeds (if they are sleepy, wake them every couple of hours at least and feed them), likewise, don't schedule feeds, feed as often as they show interest - don't wait till they cry, sucking fists, grunting, moving their head side to side 'rooting' etc are all signs of hunger. Last of all, if they are producing plenty of wet and dirty nappies you know they are getting enough.
If you're still worried, contact a peer supporter

 

[kellylou]

After having my baby last friday by section my milk came in on the Monday so 3 full days after delivery.