milk vibes please

[matthewsmama]

I am due any day. I was not able to feed my ds 1 or 2 casue I had a lack of milk.  I am hoping I can with this one.  PLEASE PLEASe send me tons of make milk vibes.  I am really going to try, just hoping my body will cooperaate. Im hoping I can this time. 

[donna_issabella]

HUGS and VIBES, Christie!!

I saw the Title and thought, wait a minute, she hasn't posted her birth story yet!!! I think you will catch a few out this way!

Good luck with the delivery!!


xx
DI

[matthewsmama]

true......thansk so mcuh for the vibes. I appreciate it. 

[clh]

Oh, plenty of *****************good milk supply vibes******************** from me.    Hope you have a quick, safe delivery! 

[daybyday]

over flowing milk vibes to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[matthewsmama]

thanks!! it means so much, really.

[binxyboo]

Lots of vibes to you!

Is there anything you would like to share about your past history, or did you have any questions to ask about the first few days and weeks?

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!

[Jocasta]

What were your birth experiences like?  How long did you give it before introducing formula?

I know that those early moments can impact heavily on some people's nursing relationship and their milk supply.  If you have a c-section, there's no reason that you won't be able to nurse but it's important tot remember that it often takes an extra day or two for your milk to come in. 

A baby who latches within the first few minutes/within the first hour of life is far more likely to nurse successfully long term so you want to make sure as much as you can that you make nursing a priority straight after birth.

Skin to skin contact immediately after birth is also a great idea to ensure the correct hormone balance for milk production. 

Remember that your lo does NOT need a huge milk drink in the first few days of life.  Tiny amounts of colostrum are all that your lo will need so don't feel tempted to top up with formula as this will just damage your chances.

Try not to worry about your supply - easier said than done I know , but stress will not help the situation.  Try and relax and trust your body to be able to sustain your baby - it got your lo this far didn't it

Pumping is not recommended during the first six weeks while your supply is being established as this can interrupt the natural hormone balance.  Obviously if you are experiencing supply issues during this time, that's another story...

Also remember that there is a world of advice for you on here so never lose faith. 

****************MILK VIBES*************

[clh]

Jo's got a lot of good points.  What she said really is the ideal, BUT even if you miss some (a lot ) of those, it still can be done.  I had 2 c/s, was... umm... encouraged to formula top off for different reasons for both, didn't have skin-to-skin immediately after with either, and on and on.  And (with a LOT of support here & IRL) was able to bf both for more than a year.  {{hugs}}  We're here & ready to support you hun. 

( Jo.  Just trying to say all isn't lost if the ideal isn't met. 

[kurtsmom]

Just wanted to send you some milk vibes and wish you all the best for your labour, bet you cant wait to meet your lo

[Jocasta]

Candice, thanks for that!  So focused on giving tips that I completey forgot to say that although the above should help, it's not necessary!

I also forgot to mention that in some cases it's also worth knowing that breastfeeding isn't always easy!  In fact, I think it's bloody hard work for most in those early weeks.  Once all those initial problems are sorted, it is by far the easier option but I think it helps if you are mentally prepared for a bit of a struggle.  And if I hear one more person say "if it hurts, you're doing it wrong..." I think I'll blow my top  Breastfeeding normally hurts at least a little in those early days - even with a perfect latch.  Unless you've got one hell of an obsessed DH, most people's nipples aren't used to being sucked 24/7  Just make sure you get some lanolin at the ready (this is often cheaper to buy on line), and be ready to come here for advice as often as you need it.

Also (  I do have a tendancy to go on - sorry ), every baby is different.  I had real supply issues with DD1 but haven't had one single issue with DD2 (aside from thrush but that's gone now and was nothing to do with Mae).

Statistically speaking, you are far more likely to succeed at breast feeding if you believe you can!!!  Seriously!  

Good luck and tons more milk making vibes to you!

[Canwi]

You've had bucket-loads of good advice so far.  Two things I want to reinterate is that it is hard work for at least 6 weeks in my opinion.  Keep trying.  It gets a bit easier every day. 
Also if you think you are having difficulties, ASK for help ASAP either here &/or IRL.  Early help facilitates successful BFing.

Sending some ~~~ good supply vibes ~~~ and some ~~~ make BFing work vibes ~~~.  Good luck!!!!

[matthewsmama]

Thanks for the input, that is really great.

With ds 1 I wasnt told to breastfeed till he was an hour or more old.  I never produced more than an ounce a day or so. Tried till  8 weeks. He was jaundiced and had to be hospitalized so they told me I had to use formula to get him better faster.  DElivery was normal....no real problems, but was totally exhausted from a long labor. and very inexperienced.

With ds 2 I imediately breastfeed and made about  an ounce ever few hours( half an ounce in each breast.  He waqs also jaundiced so was told I hadot top off with formula.  DH actually said we should give him forumla casue he cried a lot at teh hospital.  I should have fought it.  I had a complicated labor, needle from epidural was inserted wrong and casue a seizure...so it was stressful, plus never gto any medication

Wiht this one.,I have informed myslef and know they do not need any more milk before 3 days old or so, colostrum is enough. I am not sure about the jaundice. I also have a special tube I attach to my breast in case I have to formula feed while she is being treated for jaundice.  (Becasue of me and dhs blood type my kids have really bad jaundice at birth) So I can do both at the same time if I have ot resort to that, but will wait at least 2 days before decidign anything.   I am not having any medication this time and have prepared myslef for the pain and joy of laboring and delivering her.

How does that sound? any other input?  I really do nto mind andy criticism of previously handled situations...questions, or comments, my goal is to achieve breastfeding. I also had bedrest  with my other 2 pregnancies and delivered at 37 weeks. With this one, I have had no bedrest, and am, 39 weeks and waiting. SO, I know things can be diferent.  Does anyone know how inducing affects milk production??

[Jocasta]

You've got an SNS at the ready - that's GREAT!!!  Never using bottles is a great goal for successful breastfeeding.

As far as the jaundice is concerned, I'm by no means an expert but I can tell you that Sophie was yellow until she was 7 weeks old.  We had her billi ruben (sp?) levels checked at five weeks to be on the safe side and she was fine.  Out of all babies who develop some degree of jaundice shortly after birth, it'll stick around for much longer amongst breast fed babies - no one knows why but it's obviously what nature intended...  I was also told that yellow jaundice isnt really considered a big deal - it's when they go grey with it that it becomes a bigger issue - highlighting again though that I am no expert.  Going off to do some digging now

[clh]

No criticism, hun.  You do the best with what you know at the time.

I don't know about induction influencing production.  I know that milk coming in can be delayed after planned c/s, since your body didn't "gear up" for birth.  

It sounds like you've done everything you can to educate yourself & to prepare.  Your tube sounds like an SNS.  That will definitely help if you have to suppliment.  It will work with EBM or formula.  I'm not sure why you'd have to give formula for jaundice if lo is pooping enough.  But I'm no expert on that, either.  

I WILL say that pumping is not an indicator of your supply.  It only tells you how well you respond to a pump.  There are chemical/hormonal things that happen mom/baby that can't happen mom/pump.  So if that was how you were determining your supply before, you were shortchanging yourself.      

{{hugs}} hun.  

Posted with Jo.