If you were only able to express from birth how long til your milk came in?

As the title says, if, like me you weren't able to BF straight from birth and were only able to express, how long til your milk came in? My supply is slowly increasing, but my milk isn't in yet. The last two pumps I've gotten about 18ml a pump. DD2 is now 2.5 days old.

I know it takes a few days usually, but wasn't sure of the time-frame when just pumping and minimal contact with bubs.

My sister had a baby in NICU and her milk came in around day 5 baby was tube fed and couldn't latch until around 3 weeks old from memory.
I can ask her for more info if you'd like

My milk is slow to come in too. I never had any leaking or anything before baby was born. It came in properly at about day 6 for my first (I had a traumatic birth, a big PPH and she was partly bottle fed), day 4 for my second and probably day 5 for #3 (significant PPH and bub was sick in SCN for a few days). I had colostrum, but my actual milk takes a while to set in.

I was about 20ml on day 2 and 50ml on day 3 and it looked milkier so guess day 3 or 4

I can't remember with the last baby, but I specifically remember it was day 5 with my twins.. Probably about the same with DS. I hadn't had any skin to skin, I was only able to touch their hands through the isolette.. At 2.5 days old, I wouldn't worry yet.

Day 3 but it was still colostrum type color then by day 5 ish it became more milky!

Mine was still yellow and thick- so colostrum mixed milk- until about day 6 or 7 but there was lots of it by then and i could express lots. I felt the feverishness/swelling of my milk properly coming in late the night of day 4. I was BF then expressing up hurry my supply up because DD was too sleepy to feed properly and hadn't gained the desired amount of her birthweight by day 3 (10%). Which I might add is one of the stupidest hospital guidelines. How many women's milk has really come in by day 3 and why weigh the baby on that day of all days? Anyway I digress...

Can I add though that at 2.5 days 18ml is a very good achievement. Just persist with the great job you're doing and you'll be just fine. And congratulations!

Hi Chody

The ABA has an article on breastfeeding your premature baby https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/premature.html
and you can buy a booklet for around $7 which has more info.

You can also give them a ring if you just want someone to chat to, or get some info and support 1800 686 268

Thanks for the info everyone. Just to clarify - I'm not upset with what I'm getting, I just wanted to know how long it'll be til it comes in properly. Last express I got something over 20ml (my guess is 23, but I'll find out at her next feed). I know it must be slowly coming in, but I guess I'm just a little impatient for it to be here already lol.

EDIT - HotI - Thanks a lot for the link and info!

Chody I was express only and my milk came in on day 3. I could only get 1ml max until then when it started upping as it changed from colostrum to milk.

Good luck, I know you must be exhausted already :hug:

Hi, It sounds like you are right on schedule and your milk is increasing and will be in the next day or two. This is a really good website for maximizing milk supply for prem babies http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastf...roduction.html

Thanks Barb! I'll look now.

Well a bit of a win - my milk is definitely coming in as I'm expressing much more (obviously can increase much more though).

DD2 has not needed any formula top ups in her nasal tube since 2am yesterday. AND I've managed to express enough for most of the day so far today which is great since I have to go home today, so whilst I am expressing at home for a few feeds she will have plenty here. Hopefully it continues and there will be no more formula. Yay!

Congratulations Chody, wonderful news

Fantastic your milk is on its way, Chody. I hope Is@belle is not far behind you in going home :D

Great!!! You must be feeling better knowing you can leave her with enough milk for feeds ;) the aba website has all the info for how to store expressed milk for when you are home if you need it!!

That's great news