Will it affect breastfeeding?

Question

i am 35w 4d and still havent seen ANY colostrum..has anyone else had this happen?...will this affect breastfeeding at all? i really want to breastfeed not bottle feed as they say it is the best thing you could do for your child...i will feel like a failure if i have to bottle-feed at birth! any help would be appreciated!! thanks

Answer 1

I didn't see any colostrum till the baby was born.  Then I didn't get my milk for five days.  But everything was fine.  That was over two months ago and we're still breastfeeding with no problem.

It will be okay.  I think it's normal.

Answer 2

i never had any leakage before my son was born.

in the hospital, he latched pretty good and got the colostrum.

however, my MILK never came in... and we had to use formula.  i definitely felt like a failure, but let me assure you - you can grow a fat, healthy baby on formula these days.  i have one to prove it!  at almost a year old, he's only had 1 cold (after playing with 2 other kids who had snotty noses), has always been in the top 10% for height and 15% for weight, AND he has the cutest fat rolls on his legs and arms!  

it is great to breastfeed (and certainly much cheaper) but please don't be too upset if you have to use formula.  formula feeding is a better option than starving the wee one!

something you should consider, also, (which is what i'm doing for my next baby due in december) is contact a lactation consultant BEFORE i run into trouble.  things move so fast after birth and in those first 2 weeks you get home.  you are tired, he/she is hungry, and you are peeing out all your hormones (which is just as bad as when you got the surge at 12 weeks...) - i recommend planning ahead for any breastfeeding problems!!!

good luck!

Answer 3

no- i had no colostrum during any one of my three pregnancies and breast fed just fine for all of them. your milk will 'come in' when you've given birth. usually takes a few days to get up to full capacity and it can be a little painfull when your milk's coming in. just be sure to drink plenty of water.  

Answer 4

no it is normal to not start until birth when the hormones controlling this are released. I did not have any leakage at all until 10 min after birth and I breastfed fine for a year

Answer 5

when I was prego, I faced the same problem, i thought i was doomed to bottle feed. I had my heart set on nursing, but thought i was going to have a hard time. while in a breastfeeding class, others were saying they were leaking and i sat there thinking huh.... i'm not.... what is going on. Laughingly the teacher said it is normal to have a little bit of leaking, but if not... consider your self lucky! I had my little guy and everything started "flowing" like it should. you could talk to your dr about it at your next appt, since you are prolly going every week, at this point, just to ease your mind. but I am positive you will be able to nurse. I did.

Answer 6

First of all you are not a failure! You are concerned about doing what is best for your baby and that makes you the farthest thing from a failure, it makes you a good mommy! I was producing colostrum at 7 months and it appeared to have stopped recently (I'm 38 weeks). I asked my doctor and he said that it comes and goes during pregnancy and sometimes doesn't come until the baby is born. He also said that just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't there. He said some people don't leak it and it takes a baby nursing to get it to come out. He said its hard to get it to come out via breast pump as well. So don't worry I'm sure you are fine, and remember no matter what happens you are not a failure!!

Answer 7

Some women never leak colostrum and it doesn't come in for them until after the baby is born. If you are planning on breastfeeding they will have you try to breastfeed your baby as soon after birth as possible. Normally within in the first hour if you and your baby are doing well and feel up to it. It will not affect your breastfeeding and it perfectly normal. A friend of mine is breastfeeding her little girl and she never leaked and was able to start feeding her daughter shortly after birth.

I personally am going to be 30 weeks tomorrow and I started leaking at 28 weeks, but it's different for every women. It's nothing to be concerned about and your body will produce both colostrum and milk as the baby actually needs it.  

Answer 8

You will have colostrum, and milk when it counts -- after baby is born.  Not all women leak, and you really shouldn't be squeezing/messing with your nipples in hopes of getting a little colostrum to come out.

When baby is born, you will put him to the breast, and there will be colostrum. (It's made in VERY small amounts at first.)

Answer 9

For your first child it is 100% normal to not have any colostrum till after baby is born. I did not have any early milk production and I have breast feed my daughter for 5 months!