Sympathy Pain

So, how did you spend your first day home with the baby, super dada? Did you give Sarah lots of rest time? Did you play with and love that baby? Did you puke your guts out and quarantine yourself all day? Yep that’s the one.

So, the first day home wasn’t exactly what I had planned. Mom in law saved the day and brought by food, ginger ail, and drugs. I was really sick for most of the day. Sarah looked exhausted…when I saw her. Luckily Tony is pretty laid back and didn’t cause much of a fuss.

We are not sure if Sarah’s milk has come in. I haven’t heard that rhythmic swallowing sound yet while feeding. So I looked up some infor on Baby Center.

Jan Barger, lactation consultant
Even before you give birth, your milk is already “in.” The colostrum you’ve produced since you were about four months pregnant is milk. However, we generally refer to the surge in milk volume and the change in composition as the milk “coming in.” In the normal course of events, your milk will change and increase in volume even if you don’t breastfeed your baby. When the placenta is delivered, the hormone that causes milk production (prolactin) goes to work. So whether or not you put your baby to your breast, your body will make milk.

If you’re a first-time mom, you’ll probably notice your milk increasing about three to four days postpartum, with your breasts getting fuller, firmer, and heavier. If you’ve had a very difficult delivery, or if you notice a lot of extra swelling (edema) in your body after a prolonged induction with an epidural, you may find that it takes a day or two more for the milk volume to increase. With your second or later babies, you’re likely to notice it a bit earlier, at around two to three days. These time frames are averages — some moms have milk earlier, some later. Your baby is getting colostrum from the start, though, so don’t worry that he has nothing to eat!

It’s very important to breastfeed your baby early and often — starting in the birthing room. That’s because early, frequent, and effective nursing increases prolactin activity in the breast, which helps assure an abundant and robust milk supply. The more often you feed your baby in the first 48 to 72 hours, the better your milk supply will be.

And now for something comepletely different…