How to Start Milk Production Earlier

Hi A., hopefully you will not have problems this time around...but if you do but her on the breast right after she is born if possible. The sooner the better. I agree with pumping after she has eaten, your body will begin to produce more milk if it feels there is a greater need for it. One word of caution, DO NOT start pumping before the baby is born. Stimulating your breasts before you have given birth can actually cause you to go into labor early. Hope this helps, and best wishes!

Did you go into labor naturally or were you induced? That can make a HUGE difference. If you're induced your hormones aren't really ready for the baby and it can take a few days for the milk to start.

There are a few herbal things you can try. Fenugreek and milk thistle. there are several companies that have combined the 2 to make it easier. Here is one http://www.naturaleco.com/natural-remedies/natures-milk-i...

The other thing is even if you can't get the baby to breastfeed right away, you need to get pumping. The more you pump the better it gets.

I had an awful time with my first 2, and finally gave up. My third one was a preemie, so I was adamant that she was breastfeeding. I got my milk in, but we could never get her to latch on (inverted nipples and poor suck reflex do NOT mix well). I just pumped and bottle fed the breast milk for several months.

Your milk typically comes in faster and in larger quantities with the second. My milk came in after 3 days with my second. Even before it was fully in, I definitely had more than I did with my first! That should help too...

As others have mentioned, your milk will likely come in faster this time around. To get things started on the right foot, put the baby to the breast ASAP, within the first 20 mintues if possible and allow him/her to nurse for as long as s/he wants--first impressions mean a lot!

Just nurse the baby every time s/he squeaks or even thinks about squeaking. Let him/her nurse limit-less in the early days--yes, that's all you'll do in the beginning! Avoid pacifiers and bottles (as you mentioned) for 4-6 weeks to best avoid artificial nipple preference. Try to nurse every 2hrs during the day, and don't let more than 4 hrs. go by at night.

If you didn't learn last time, master the art of nursing on your side, so you can snooze while nursing the baby (for safety reasons, don't do this on the couch).

Pumping before birth will do anything for your milk supply. The hormones for producing lactation do not "get going" until the placenta seperates from the uterus.

Best wishes to you! Remember, whatever challenge you encounter, it will pass! :)

You might start pumping before you even have your baby, just to get your hormones going and maybe trick your body. Other than that, you might contact your local La Leche League.

I agree with the other post that your milk should come in a LOT quicker with the second one. Ask your doctor or lactation consultant about taking Fenugreek. It helped me when I needed a "boost" with milk production...it might help getting it started quicker. Good luck - having trouble breastfeeding (or any feeding issues) can be so emotional!!!

I was induced with 4 of my 5 children and never had a problem with my milk coming in. It did come in faster with the 2nd and on. I nursed on demand for the first month or so. After that it was about every two hours. My 5th child was given a bottle in the hospital due to low blood sugar and she didn't really latch on good until the 2nd day, but after that she did fine.

Mine came in faster with my second. About three days. Just pumping is all I can suggest. Even if you could get a hormone shot to bring it in early, your baby needs that colostrum at first. For jaundice, I was told by one nurse to give the baby a little bit of water just before nursing and that helps clear it out. Worked foe me. Just don't stress, stress hormones inhibit milk production. Wow, stress is a fun word to type. Try it, stress. Heehee.

The single most important thing you can do is frequent feeding - do NOT go longer than 3 hours without nursing your baby. I am a mom/baby nurse - and babies are going to be hungry around 24 hours old when they are nursing and they will start to loose weight - all normal. Your milk should come in in 2-3 days - 5 days is a long time. I tell mommies watch your baby NOT the clock to know when to feed - any restlessness, rooting activity - don't wait for crying. Room in with your baby.

Personally I was never successful producing enough milk, but a friend has made a DVD covering everything you need to know about breastfeeding. You may want to check out her website at www.motherof7.com (and yes, that means she has seven children). She has received endorsements from a number of leading organizations on breastfeeding.

Both my OB and my pediatrician said my milk would come in faster with the second, and it did. I had my first on a Monday night, and my milk came in on Friday afternoon, so 5 days later. I had my second Tuesday morning, and my milk was in by Thursday at noon. Both were c-sections, but my first came after my water broke and I went into labor on my own, while my second was a scheduled c. So, I wouldn't worry too much - it should come in faster on its own!

You could always pump after you baby eats so your breast think you have twins...

that might help

A. J