In three days I will start breast feeding my baby. Our surrogate is scheduled for her c-section that day. To say the least I am very excited.
Just a few questions...
I know that c-section babies are slower to start breast feeding but when did you start to try to introduce the breast?
Secondly, I am producing about 16 oz per day, I know that this will be efficient for the first few days but once the baby came did you find that your supply went up?
Thank you!
Shannon
Congrats Shannon that is exciting. How long did it take for you to get up to 16 oz a day?
Congratulations! I started breastfeeding my daughter (now 9 weeks) with 9 ounces and supplement generally about 6 ounces per day. I must be making more than 9 by now. I am sure you will increase as well but 16 is a REALLY good start!
Good luck!
My daughter, who was carried by a surrogate, was delivered by C-section as well. We went out to get her initial assessment and bath and then I breastfeed her. It was like 30 minutes after she was born. It is really important that the nurses now that you are breastfeeding and that you want to get the baby to the breast as quickly as possible. They have a period of wakefulness for about an hour after they are born and it is important that get on the breast during that time. After that initial wakefulness they will be very sleepy and it can be difficult to get them to latch on.
It's also good to let everyone know you have induced lactation. Let them know that your milk is "in" and don't give any formula!! We had a good experience even in a hospital that had never heard of someone inducing lactation.
Good luck and Congratulations!! It's a very exciting time!!
Thanks for the responses!
Claudia I have been pumping for six weeks now and I pump 8 times per day for about 10-15 minutes. I started off very slowly but each day I get a little bit more.
Shannon
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Shannon, that's encouraging to me that you are producing so much already. I have been pumping for a little over 2 weeks, and I am up to about 2 oz. per day, but like you, I am getting more and more every day. I have lots of time, though, as we don't expect to have our adopted baby home until sometime in the fall.
I breastfed three bio. babies, and I think that it is wonderful to have so much milk already in before the baby's arrival. It was always hard dealing with a small supply at first and then engorgement while trying to teach a baby to nurse. This situation should be a breeze for you both.
-Jenny M.
I had a c-section and attempted to bf pretty soon after. He had a hard time at first because he was tongue tied.
My daughter I induced for and she was only taking 8-10 oz in the first week or so. I didn't start pumping until the day she was placed with us (last second placement). After about a week I was making about 8 oz a day. That was when I started bf her and supplementing after. A week later I stopped supplementing and my supply just increased with her need (and some extra pumping after feeds).
It sounds like you'll do great! Good luck!
Jennifer