Hi mamas, I am pregnant with #3 which happens to be #2 in 2 years for me. I remember with my pregnancy last year, I was having some leakage as early as 6 months, noticing it mostly in the shower, etc. However, I am 2 weeks away from my due date and I haven't had any leakage at all, I can't even express anything. Dry as a bone. My breasts are soft and not getting any bigger. Should I be expecting difficulty in breastfeeding? I am really wanting to nurse this baby. Anyone had this happen? Did your milk come in okay once the baby was here?
I'm also curious, because with my last baby they ended up supplementing at the hospital, and my supply never recovered from that. I had a really difficult time and ended up just giving him formula after a couple of months. I have asked the hospital not to supplement unless it is really NEEDED this time. Well, if it doesn't come in till late, we might be in the same boat again. I know, every pregnancy is different and every baby is different, just wondered is this common? Thanks in advance!
Wow thanks ladies. You really made me feel better about it. I appreciate all the reassurance! Of course I also agree that "fed is best" but after not doing much nursing with my first two, I was hoping for a little more success at nursing this time! Either way I know it'll be ok though. Thanks again!
Thank you for posting this question, I am having Baby # 3 and am one week away from meeting him or her :) I too was concerned about how I don't seem to be "leaking" so this has calmed me down. I hope it all works out for you! Thanks again!
O.
I also way dry as a bone until after birth.
I supplemented with both my babies at the hospital. (I asked the nurses to feed in the nursery if they were still hungry after being done with me or my husband did it so the associated me with the breast). If they were hungry after getting colostrum from me, I was not going to risk low blood sugar.
There was no nipple confusion or trouble once my milk came in and boy did it come in I was like a cow.
My son would eat anything breast (from me) or formula (from dad) and due to some of his issues he ate both.
My daughter once home from the hospital would only take the breast...she refused bottles every single type we tried with breast milk in them...nope.
So each is different...how long were you in the hospital because my milk didn't fully come in until I was home. I would check the corners of their mouths to see if there was colostrum or finally milk.
Some women make tons of milk and others not so much...they had wet nurses in the old days...today we have formula. As long as your baby is well fed that is all that matters.
Big hugs!!
I never expressed milk or had leakage in any of my pregnancies - nor did my friends or sisters (that I know of). So I don't think that's that unusual. Mine only became hard when my milk came in. It was like hello! I just grew overnight.
I did not supplement at all with my first and he cried and cried at the hospital. For a new mom, it was difficult - I felt very stressed. My milk didn't come in quickly, I just had colostrum which they kept telling me was enough, but I had a 95th percentile baby and he seemed ravenous. It was all ok once my milk came in.
With my next baby however I was happy to let him have a little formula at the hospital. He seemed much happier, it was easier, and there was no nipple confusion and no problem with my milk supply. When my milk came in, I just switched back to breast milk fully.
With one of my babies, I only produced milk mostly on one side. So yes, pregnancies etc. can be very different.
ETA: I should add - even though I only seemed to produce milk on that one side, it produced enough for me to nurse that baby - I never needed to supplement. I just breastfed more regularly.
I never had leakage or any feeling of fullness until after the baby was born. Heck, I didn't even get the boost in cup size that many women get during pregnancy.
In the first 2 days after birth, I could express some colostrum but no milk. Then my milk came in with a vengeance about 48 hours after the baby was born, and they nursed until after 12 months of age. This delay of 48 or more hours before milk comes in is a totally normal timeline! Don't let a nurse convince you that you should have lots of milk flowing in the first day. Just keep letting the baby nurse, getting colostrum, and that will trigger your milk to come in.
For more info, check out http://kellymom.com/ages/newborn/when-will-my-milk-come-in/ This gives tips on how to increase milk production when it comes in, as well as guidelines on when to supplement if you are getting nervous about your baby's drop in weight - a small drop is normal but a larger drop can mean that you need to supplement for a short time. The site give you info on how much of a drop is ok, and when it becomes a cause for concern.
Congrats!
I never had any leakage and never noticed any change in my breasts (at all), but both of my kids latched on immediately after birth and never had any issues.
My oldest was in the hospital nursery for 10 days, so I pumped during the feedings that they had to give him. He was fed a bottle the day he was born. My youngest was given his first bottle when he was 3 days old. Neither one of them had any nipple confusion.
My SIL and I both pumped after every feeding, and it really helped our supply. It also gave us extra bottles so relatives could feed them (and give us a break :-)
If the hospital gives your baby a bottle for any reason (and their really could be a good reason), ask them for a breast pump. Tell them you really want to be able to breast feed your baby. They should support you, and hospital breast pumps are awesome!
I never had leaking at all, and I didn't have any trouble nursing.
I don't know why they supplemented your daughter's feedings at the hospital, but be careful to know exactly what your baby's weight is. Even though you want to nurse, if your baby has trouble, supplementing is more important.
Make sure to get enough fluids after the baby comes - sometimes it's hard to remember to drink enough while taking care of a newborn and other children. It's easier to keep up your supply when you get enough fluids.
i had some leakage with both, but i don't know that with my S. it started this early. i mean, still 2 weeks to go, right? i'm guessing that when your body starts maneuvering the baby for birth, everything will kick in. i don't think it's anything to worry about.
i also would not sweat the supplementation. it's possible that's the reason your supply was sporadic, but not really all that likely. i found with both of mine that my supply adjusted with a day or three at the most to whatever i needed them to do. with my S. they obligingly stayed quiet during the day and filled up at night once they figured out that was the program.
i know it's not always that easy, but it's likely that whatever problems you had with your supply weren't actually caused by the early supplementation.
you've got a baby coming shortly! try to stop worrying and get some sleep, girl!
khairete
S.
leaked a little with my first, had trouble, ended up supplimenting for a couple months till i was able to get my supply to meet babys demands and nurse for a year.
with baby #2 i don't recall leaking befor birth. and she had no troubles. my supply was plenty for her demand and things worked well for us for a whole year.
there are foods and suppliments that can help boost your supply and don't harm a baby. i used most of them with my first. then if you pump a whole bunch your body should see the extra demand and up the supply to meet it.
kellymom.com is a great breastfeeding resource. as is la leche league. you can check to see if LLL does meetings in your area. sometimes its difficult to be successful at it. but a good lactation consultant and the support of those around you will help you be successful.
