I was reading that sometimes your milk wont "come in" or you will dry up to quickly, and that if its your first child and you are young, that this can be a bigger problem. A lady on a forum I go to was really upset that she wasnt able to breast feed and was doing everything she could but couldnt produce milk. So I wanted to know.. what are the chances of you not having enough milk, is it true that your age effects that, what can you do during and after your pregnancy to ensure healthy production of breast milk, and anything else that could be helpful.
I dont think that it is very common or that it has much to do with your age. I cant say I have been there because my milk came in fine. But i think just getting your nipples ready by playing with them can help. If you are worried, at the hospital when your baby is born there is usually a lactation consultant.
Often women think they are not producing enough for 2 reasons. One is that they don't feel full when they touch their breasts after their baby is a few weeks or a few months old. It doesn't mean they don't have enough by any means! Just that their body has regulated the amount of milk needed. The second reason is breastfed babies go through "frequency days" where they nurse a lot to increase the milk supply. No supplements are needed- just nurse the baby on demand. As long as the baby has enough wet and poopy diapers- they are getting enough even if they are nursing frequently.
Insufficent tissue to produce breastmilk is actually very rare as is "drying up." Often what happens is a baby is going through a frequency day and the mother gives the baby formula. Since formula is not as easily digested as breastmilk it takes longer for baby to beome hungry again. That means mom's body thinks it doesn't need to produce as much. The more formula- the less breastmilk. It's a vicious cycle.
The best thing you can do to prepare to breastfeed is to make sure there are no artificial nipples or formula in the house. No pacifiers, no bottles, no formula "just in case." It's too easy to give in when breastfeeding is difficult.
As far as your age being a factor- I am almost sure there are no studies to back that up. There is no reason you should not be able to produce enough milk for your baby. I know several young moms that produced a full milk supply (one was 12.)
Also- I suggest having some lansinoh lanolin on hand when you deliver since it can help soften your nipples and protect from dry skin. I used it in pregnancy for that reason :)
Good luck- breastfeeding is truly an empowering experience :)
Delphiki is right on.
Milk is produced and it is usually other factors (pacifiers, bottles/supplement feeding, setting schedules etc) that cause breastfeeding problems and supply issues.
Feed on demand, keep yourself hydrated.
Thank you! I dont know what it is lately, I wasnt too worried about these things in the beginning, but suddenly everything is terrifying me, I wont be able to birth right, I wont have enough milk, I wont know what to do with the baby. I hope these feelings pass soon, im usually alot more confident in myself then this >.<
yes it is VERY rare for a mom of any age not to produce enough milk for her baby! i think it's lower than 3% worldwide. your milk should come in in 2-5 days and until then you will have colostrum which is the best of the best and you only have a very little bit. after your milk comes in you will prebably be engorged for a few days and i would take atvantage of that and pump all the extra milk and freeze it for later use... at some point most babies do go though a growth spurt though and nurse around the clock and it will seem like your milk has dropped or you dont have enough but you do! you just have to let your baby nurse on demand to keep up milk supply.... it's supply and demand. the more your baby nurses the more milk you will make and the less your baby nurses the less milk you will make. good luck!!!
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/index.html (here is some really good info on breastfeeding)
Thanks everyone:D Every little horror story I hear instantly sticks in my mind :P I need to stop worrying about everything and just wait for it to happen.
Keep another thing in mind. A lot of the "horror" stories you will hear about breastfeeding are actually incorrect assumptions.
For example, if a woman doesn't nurse often enough, supplements with pacifiers and formula, and her milk supply starts to dwindle, she may ASSUME that it's because she isn't making enough milk or that something is wrong with her breasts. A lot of assumptions are made, especially when people start out being so cynical about breastfeeding.
I'm proud of you, though, for being so intereted in learning. That's the best thing. With determination, you'll do great!! Keep it up!!
:)
My advice is to read up on BF ahead of time. I didn't with my first child; I expected the hospital staff would be helpful, but they did some things now that I think caused nipple confusion (giving him a pacifier, etc.)I did not know that this was a bad thing at the time,. So I would prepare yourself by learning as much as you can in advance. I think that would have helped me a lot.
Good luck :D
dont listen to negative people around you.
i remember my sis et al told me these horror stories about engorgement after birth... i never got that so i just assumed i couldnt breastfeed.
you have got to find someone who is willing to help you through the tough times and be supportive... i suggest contacting le leche now.
good luck... and even if it takes some work, you will defiantly not regret it