My milk supply came in late last pregnancy, will I have trouble this time?

Question

I was induced at 41 weeks last pregnancy. This time I am getting induced at 39 weeks because my doc doesn't want me delivering another huge baby. Should I expect to have poor milk production again?

Answer 1

It's hard to say.  You can start using your breast pump now to start the lactation process.  

Answer 2

It's possible, but your baby will be fine so long as it has the colostrum  

Answer 3

Don't expect things to be the same as last time.  Your milk may come in on time; one never knows.

Talk to a lactation consultant before getting induced for advice on how to prepare yourself in advance so your milk will be ready.

Answer 4

Just as you can't expect that this labor will be the same as the last, you can't expect that you will have the same issues with milk production.

Drink PLENTY of water (more then 64 oz, you are supposed to drink oz equal to half your body weight!)  Think about and ask your doctor about taking a lactation tea or vitamin.  

Answer 5

That would depend on what actually caused the poor milk production:

-massive blood loss during/after labour

-retained placenta

-uncontrolled diabetes

-hypothyroidism

-anemia

-poor latch

-not breastfeeding often enough

-jaundice

-nipple confusion

-supplementation

-drugs during labour

-IV after labour

-antibiotics given to mom during labour or baby afterwards

-poor support

-tongue-tie in the baby

-not understanding what a normal breastfed baby acts like

-not understanding what normal breastfed baby weight loss is

Some of these things are likely to happen again, some are not.  

Also its your body, your choice.  It doesn't matter what your doctor "wants" its not his or her choice as to whether to induce nor what constitutes big.  There are a lot of risks to induction and these need to be carefully explained to you until you are confident in your decision because you and not your doctor will be living with the outcome.

----------

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-su...

Take care of mom. Rest. Sleep when baby sleeps. Relax. Drink liquids to thirst (don't force liquids - drinking extra water does not increase supply), and eat a reasonably well-balanced diet.

http://www.kellymom.com/newman/12more_bf...

3. A breastfeeding mother has to drink lots of fluids.

Not true! The mother should drink according to her thirst. Some mothers feel they are thirsty all the time, but many others do not drink more than usual. The mother's body knows if she needs more fluids, and tells her by making her feel thirsty. Do not believe that you have to drink at least a certain number of glasses a day. Rules about drinking just make breastfeeding unnecessarily complicated.