HELP - My milk won't come out

[jebarr]

I haven't been able to find anyone with this problem. My son was born 4 days ago. He nursed the first night but after I went home from the hospital, he would nurse every 20 minutes. After going 8 hours without a diaper change, I checked my colostrum supply with a breast pump. I was completely dry so I put him on formula and continued to let him suckle on me in between feedings hoping my milk supply would come in soon. Well my milk is in but nothing is coming out. I have put warm compresses on my breasts and and been trying to pump every three hours but nothing. I am engorged!! Anyone have any suggestions????

[maksmom]

Have you tried nursing your son? Babies can be much more efficent at transfering milk than a breast pump. If you are having trouble getting him to latch, I'd see a lactation consultant to help get him back on the breast. There are also alot of ladies on here who have great info on getting a baby back to the breast.
Hang in there and congrats on the new little one!

[Nipple_nectar]

First of all, pumping is an acquired skill, just because you couldn't produce anything for a pump does not mean you have no milk. Secondly, you need to ditch the formula, it is sabotaging your supply:( You need to trust that your body can produce what your baby needs, my mantra~ trust the bewbie!

Engorgement can make it difficult for your baby to get an effective latch. You should try reverse pressure softening, http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/rev_pressure_soft_cotterman.html

You can also do breast compression, to help your baby empty the breast effectively. www.kellymom.com/newman/15breast_compression.html

Hang in there, nursin momma, we will help you get it right:) Welcome to the boards! 8 hours with no urine is serious, keep a close eye on that! www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing.html

Letting baby nurse as often as possible, for as long as possible will get you through the engorgement phase quicker. Nursing will help baby learn that important latch, watch the video tutorial at www.drjacknewman.com for good latch versus bad latch:)

[jebarr]

I try to have him nurse every time he is hungry before I give him a bottle. I have had no luck. He will suckle for about 5 seconds and after he doesn't get anything right away he breaks off and stays crying again.

[Nipple_nectar]

You need to try the reverse pressure softening, it will help. Also, using cabbage leaves on your breasts will help but you need to be careful as this can quickly dry up your supply!

You should probably contact the hospital where you gave birth and see if there is a lactation consultant on staff. She will help you!

[jebarr]

I contacted the lactation specialist but I don't think she will be in until Monday. This is my fifth child and I have never had this problem before.

I've tried warm compresses, a heating pad, a warm shower as well as having my son latch on and nurse himself.

[Amy_G_]

you need to get some help with his latch and ability to suck.
give any supplements (formula) with a supplemental nursing system AT the breast so he gets the instant gratification of milk and will suck more to get more milk and will produce more milk. or at least ditch the bottles and give any supplements with a finger feeder or cup. Put baby to the breast every time he makes a peep--go braless and hangout with baby in bed with you for many hours a day to encourage his interest in sucking. if he gets instant, easy formula from a bottle, why would he want to nurse?

what kind of pump are you using? some of them absolutely suck, and I don't mean that in a good way--meaning they don't really suck well enough.

check out some of the info here
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html

[ima062002]

Colostrum if virtually impossible to pump out so I am not suprised that you didn't get anything...

I agree with PP and esp. with Nipple Nectar on her advice.

[Amy_G_]

contact la leche league for help in person if you can't get ahold of a LC over the weekend.

Get milk into baby, ideally using a lactation aid rather than a bottle.
http://www.kellymom.com/newman/05lactation_aid.html

figure out how to get milk out of the breasts.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bf-links-pumps.html#manual
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/maintainsupply-pump.html

then work on getting the milk into the baby directly from the breast.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/latch-resources.html

[Nipple_nectar]

Here are a few more thoughts: www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_confusion.html
This links explains nipple confusion and why it is so important if you must supplement with breastmilk or formula, that it must be with a BFing friendly feeding alternative, so as not to sabotage your efforts. www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/alternative-feeding.html

Also, I wanted you ro research the formula, if you haven't already: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/infant-formula.html