Congrats on the arrival of your baby, mommy! We bet you’re already excited to start your breastfeeding journey right away. According to the WHO 10 Steps To Successful Breastfeeding, hospitals are encouraged to help mothers initiate breastfeeding as soon as 30 minutes after birth!
However, not all moms are able to initiate breastfeeding soon after giving birth. Delayed milk production can occur due to a variety of reasons. But don’t fret, lactation failure happens very rarely.
How Does Milk Production Work?
Hormones play a large role in the production of breast milk. Even while pregnant, the hormones present in the placenta stimulate the development of your breast to prepare it for milk making.
Once the placenta is broken and expelled from your body, the drop in hormones will then trigger your milk to come in. Milk production can happen as soon as 32-40 hours after birth. Prolactin, insulin, cortisol, and oxytocin are important hormones that push milk production and lactation. After birth, your breast milk will rely on the law of demand-and-supply. Just as long as you breastfeed frequently, your milk supply should also increase over time.
So When Should Your Breast Milk Come In?
The first milk can already start flowing two or five days after birth. This is called colostrum, which can come as a thick, yellowish, rich milk that’s high in nutrients and antibodies. Expect to pump out only small amounts of milk in the first two to three days. By day 3 to 5, your milk supply should come in.
No Breast Milk After Giving Birth: When Your Milk Comes In Late (Delayed Onset of Lactation)
About a quarter of moms actually experience a delay in their milk flow, wherein they wait longer than 3-5 days for milk to come in. However, just because you have a delay in milk production doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a low supply or no breast milk at all!
Here are the common reasons why your milk may come in late:
- Severe stress
- Traumatic or Stressful delivery (eg. C-section)
- A large amount of IV fluids used during birth
- Obesity
- Infection or fever
- Diabetes
- PCOS
- Breast surgery
- Older first-time moms
- Bleeding after birth
- Prolonged bed rest during pregnancy
What Should You Do If Your Milk Comes In Late?
If you have been waiting three or more days for your milk supply to come in, there is a risk of your weight loss, dehydration, and jaundice for your baby. You may also notice that the meconium (the dark poop expelling waste in a baby’s body) might not be changing color. If this is the case, it’s important to ask for breastfeeding help from a lactation expert.
The success of breastfeeding after birth will be dependent on a mother’s determination and perseverance. If breast milk hasn’t flowed yet, hand expressions should help stimulate your milk supply. Keep practicing your latch and do skin-to-skin contact with your baby to spike up your lactation hormones.
