Right after birth....what happens?

[MeredithTB]

Ok, I haven't attended any classes and know nothing about bfing, so have patience with me. When people say "my milk came in in 4 days" what does that mean? Does that mean nothing came out for 4 days or no pure milk came out for 4 days? Shouldn't colostrum come out the first few days? I have this fear of my son starving the first few days...lol

[madelsmama]

Colostum is made by your body towards the second half of pregnancy. It is usually clear and golden in color. It is packed with antibodies and is designed perfectly to nourish your baby for the first several days.

When the placenta seperates from the uterus, a hormonal signal is sent to the brain that it's time to start making milk. While this process is taking place, your baby is receiving the perfect nutrition in your colostrum. Nursing the baby frequently (as often as the baby squeaks or even thinks about it!) is both comforting to him/her and refills his/her tiny tummy often. It also encourages your milk to "come in" faster, which refers to the white milk that will nourish your baby for the months and years to come. This is when you will hear moms talk about being engorged and really full of milk. Nursing the baby often during this time will help relieve some of the tightness that comes with engorgement, and keep in mind that the body overproduces in the beginning and gradually tapers off to baby's specific needs.

Sometimes moms are encouraged to supplement with formula until their milk "comes in". Some moms are fearful, as you are right now, that they will starve their babies before their milk "comes in". Introducing formula and bottles at this time is often a bad idea and put you at risk for low supply before you've even really started breastfeeding. You body knows how to make milk, and sometimes you've just go to trust it. Your supply is based upon baby's demand. If baby is not nursing very often, your supply will be low. Nurse baby often, your body gets the signal to continue making milk.

So, a few tips:
1. Try to get that initial latch-on within the first 20-60 minutes, if not immediately after birth.
2. Colostum will nourish you baby in his/her early days. Your body is designed perfectly for breastfeeding babies.
3. Feed often, like every 1-2 hours is that's what baby is asking for. Sometimes babies need to be comforted at the breast, even when not hungry.
4. Don't supplement in the early days "because you're worried". Babies will almost always down a bottle after nursing b/c milk is dumping into their mouthes without any effort on their part. That doesn't mean that they were still hungry. Keep nursing that baby!
5. Avoid any artificial nipple for the first 4-6 weeks, including pacifiers, as some babies will prefer them over the breast.
6. Keep in mind that you will be doing a lot of nursing for the first 6 weeks. It gets better and more rewarding as time passes!

Come back to the boards and ask as many questions as you want and hang out for support and encouragement!

[maksmom]

Madelsmama could not have said it better!
I can only add that breastfeeding and breastmilk were perfectly designed to nourish a baby. The same can be said for colostrum, it is full of everything baby needs to get through the first days of life while their little bodies adjust to being out here in the world.

[MeredithTB]

That's exactly what I was looking for! Thanks so much!!!!

[Nipple_nectar]

Welcome to the boards! Congrats on your pregnancy and your decision to BF! Madelsmomma said it all:)

[Tufftitty]

Great response Madelsmomma.

In addition I'd like to suggest checking out the Kellymom website. There is a huge amount of excellent information there. Also, not all moms experience engorgement when their milk comes in, and that's OK. The key is to count the wet diapers you get every day. I believe the minimum # you want is 8, but someone correct me if I'm wrong. If you are making the diapers & putting babe to breast everytime they peep, things should be OK.

[SingingMom]

Right. I never got engorged, and believe me, I am a fountain of milky goodness.

Try not to stress about what the baby is getting. Babies lose some weight after birth, and that's normal and right. Just like you get a little bloated in the last weeks of pregnancy, so does the baby. (After all, they're floating in the same hormones you are.) They ditch some of that extra water after birth.

Just nurse that baby every time he (or she) squeaks.

[Prettyskittle82]

I had no clue either! The nurse asked me if I was ready to feed the baby, and told her yes. She handed him to me, I just looked at him. She actually had to grab my boob and put it in the baby's mouth!

I read a book during the baby's first week in the world that kept me going and I wish I had read it before hand. It's called "So, That's What They're For" by Janet Tamaro. It's funny and easy to read. I've given them as gifts to 3 different women who had no clue, but are successfully breastfeeding. You should definately read it!

[RedheadbyChoice]

I love the Tamaro book. It's a hoot! :D

[MeredithTB]

Thanks for everyones input!