Quick question about "feeling" things

[jenloafer77]

Hi everyone!!

I have a question about feeling things in your breasts:

I never actually felt my milk come in, never feel like a have milk, never feel a let-down of milk.....actually, I never feel and never have felt anything except the soreness in my nipples that I am still experiencing (that's in another post) and the pain of engorgement if I have gone awhile between feeds.  The only indicator I have is hearing him swallowing.  My breasts are always soft except first thing in the morning!  Is this normal?

[EllenS]

It IS normal on the principle that everybody's different.  I felt "my milk come in" only in the sense that I got hot & cold shakes, etc during those 2 days - sort of an all-over hormonal thing.  Never felt letdown, though when my lo was a bit older than yours I started being able to feel the difference between when she was really sucking a lot of milk (sort of a gushy feeling right thru the tip plus a pulling feeling deep in the breast) or not.  What you can feel has no relation to your supply. 

Probably as you resolve the soreness, though, you will be able to feel more sensations - that pain kindof blocks everything else out.

[clh]

I'd say normal for you, too.  Hearing lo swallowing is one of the better indicators.  Mostly you watch him to make sure he's getting enough:  enough wet diapers, seeming satisfied at the end, and sufficient weight gain.  If those things are happening, then he's getting enough, no matter what you're feeling (or not) in your boobs.  It's hard; isn't it?  It looks like you're doing a great job, though.  He's a cutie! 

[Purplecattypants]

Very common with a second baby, often much less noticeable than the first...your boobs have done this before, they dont feel a need to make a song and dance about it this time around 

[Samuel's mum]

Angela

Yes, it's normal. This time round I didn't notice milk coming in and I have rarely 'felt full' or feel a letdown (occasionally but it comes and goes).

His weight gain, nappies, level of contentment, swallowing sounds - these are all useful indicators.

[jenloafer77]

Thanks for the replies!!   :)Makes sense!!  Is it common with someone with a first baby?  Seth is my first child, so I was wondering if it was still normal?  One more question...I get kind of like a "burning" sensation in my nipples at times throughout the day.  I know my nipples are not infected nor are my breasts.  I made sure of that yesterday when I saw the LC.....but it is a weird sensation, not entirely unpleasant.  It usually happens when I am deep in thought about breastfeeding issues, or my LO.....could it be milk coming in??  Making milk???  I'm not sure...... 

[Samuel's mum]

It happens with first time babies too. With Sam I hardly felt letdown at all. There is such a big range of normal with this breastfeeding lark.
I think what you are describing - that burning/ tingling sensation - could well be a 'letdown' or your 'milk ejection reflex'. Do you know if you start dripping at that point too? Some people notice it when they are not feeding but not so much when they are feeding due to other distractions.

[jenloafer77]

I usually do leak at that point....and when he is nursing on one side, the other side leaks.  It's pretty crazy.

[EllenS]

Yep, that's the letdown.

[Purplecattypants]

HA! I didnt look at your tickers properly sorry, thought this was your second!!

Sounds like your boobs are doing a good job 

[jenloafer77]

Another question.....if your breasts have regular let-downs as I feel, does that mean you have a good supply?  Or can you still let-down, leak, and not have a good supply?  I am always worried about my supply.......I hate the thought of giving up, but sometimes it just seems so hard!

[fifibobandmore]

Your supply sounds perfect for your baby to me. I would say as long as baby is gaining weight and is content has pleanty of water nappies then your supply is perfect and baby will tell your body when it is time for your supply to get bigge as LO gets older. Continue with the grate thing you are doing for your baby it is a specialtime for you are LO that no-one else can give them in the way you can. You are doing a super job

[mum101]

With my first baby I didn't really feel anything and not always notice a let down. I think personally for me it was because bf was stressful with issues attaching etc.
Second time around I actually feel a strong let down, even when pumping, but not all the time.
I think I can visualise more and I also notice a big difference if I am watching TV or distracted by DD climbing around me that less milk comes down, especially when pumping!

I think distraction makes a difference to me for sure.

[Purplecattypants]

J is my first, and I didnt start feeling a letdown until about 8 weeks, and then it only lasted a few months (I has forceful letdown/oversupply issues)...not I dont feel it anymore. As pp have said, as long as baby is gaining weight and is content, then you are more than enough for him! I know its tough, but it does get easier, and you will not regret persevering. Keep up the good work! 

[Jocasta]

All sounds normal to me! 

While we're on the subject of what you feel in your breasts, does everyone else feel a "milk dump" (that's my term copyright pending ), every now and then.  If Mae has gone a little longer than usual, about the time she was due a feed, I get an uncomfortable, all of a sudden "full" feeling.  I don't leak at this point, but am accutely aware of my breasts!