Breastfeeding second time round?

Question

With my first child I tried to breastfeed but my milk never came in.  I tried to pump and pump til I was so sore and I could barely get 2oz for the day!  Doctors said it was probably  due to losing so much blood during labor and they didn't think it was necessary to do a transfusion.  600ccs!

This time around I would like to try again but I'm afraid it won't happen.  My mother was not able to breastfeed wit me or my brother.

Anyone have something similar happen but they were able to with the second child?

Answer

I'm not sure of your situation and what all you tried, but pumping is never a good indication of milk supply.

Especially with a newborn, the best way to help regulate your milk supply is by nursing on demand. Even if it seems like baby is nursing constantly (and it will and you will wonder if baby is getting enough and if you'll be able to keep up - most often rhe answer to both questions is yes). Your body reacts to baby in a way that it never will to a pump.

The best thing you can do to establish a good nursing relationship is nurse exclusively for the first few weeks. No pacifiers or bottles. Pump only if you are engorged so much that it is painful and/or baby can't get a good latch.

Don't stress over knowing exactly how much milk you are making or how much baby is getting. Your baby will lose weight for the first few days. That is normal even with formula fed babies (and breastfed babies lose a little more).

And surround yourself with people who are supportive even if that means finding a nursing support group.

Trust yourself. I think that is the number one cause of breastfeeding issues. You have to have faith in yourself and your body.

But the most important thing to remember is that it is okay if you are not successful. Breastfeeding doesn't always work out and if you have to or even just want to switch to formula that doesn't make you a failure or a bad mom. Feeding your baby is the end goal and that's all that truly matters.

Answer

I'm in the same boat. I had a c-section with my first and lost a ton of blood during the surgery and they thought I needed a blood transfusion, but I did not get one. It seemed like it took forever for my milk to come in and I didn't produce that much at all and had to supplement with formula. I was so heart broken over not being able to breast feed my daughter and I fear the same will happen with my second daughter.

I'm hope we are both able to this time around. Good luck!

Answer

I also lost a lot of blood after delivering, but I was able to breastfeed. Baby really doesn't drink much (volume-wise) the first couple days, but my daughter was also very sleepy and bad about staying awake to nurse! After several days, I pumped milk and fed her from a bottle until she sorta "perked up" enough to stay awake during breastfeeding and I could dispense with the bottles and pumping.

Answer

I could never pump more than 2oz and I exclusively nursed my baby with no issues. Some women don't respond well to pumping. It's all supply and demand- as long as baby is thriving, having wet and poopy diapers and meeting milestones you're gold. Don't let the pump discourage you. Personally I don't think I'm going to pump at all this time.

Answer

I lost an approximate 6 units of blood and had 4 transfused giving birth last time and I had an absolutely horrible time producing.  The Dr's said the blood loss and trauma didn't help and gave me lots of different things to try to help boost supply. Beer helped my milk come in, but nothing could get supply up enough to keep up with two hungry 7 lb babies so I ended up supplementing with formula and then switching to formula entirely at 4 months. Hopefully it will go better this time, but if not, I will feed my baby how I can, no shame. You do what you can, that's it.

Answer

I lost 1500 cc and I had some trouble getting my milk in but nothing abnormal. They gave me a pump and they told me to drink SOOOOOOO much water! Maybe that's the difference? But it's not unheard of for some moms to not be able to produce milk, however I've never heard of that affecting the second pregnancy. Every pregnancy is different.

Answer

I STrUGGLED to breastfeed but was successful. I ended up bf my daughter for 22 months. Here is the blog I wrote while I was in the midst of everything. It lists everything I did. http://txhankes.blogspot.com/2012/07/breastfeeding.html?m=1

Answer

I had a very healthy diet dieting my pregnancy with my daughter.  I just drank even more water did yoga to try not to stress about it,  took vitamins to help.   Nothing worked.   I had one nurse make me feel horrible about it and suggested I try a drug that was not fda approved and would not guarantee milk production.  I'm all for breastfeeding but in not going to risk my health for it.   Hopefully this time around I can.   My boobs haven't really grown but they are sore and sensitive as hell!

Answer

I'd like to know as well. I'm in the same shoes. Although my mom was able to breastfeed both my sister and me. Did you try herbs or changing your diet to help?

Breastfeeding second time round?

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