Is this really a potential supply problem?

[smelly]

Hi ladies
Forgive me if I've put this in the wrong topic.
I'm 37 weeks pregnant and very keen to breast feed my baby when s/he is born. However, I've recently been spooked by a group of pregnant women (some who already have children) who suggested that I may experience a problem with my milk supply because I haven't been leaking any colostrum yet. I had a go by hand the other night after a shower and but didn't manage to get anything out, so I'm pretty sure there's none in there yet.
Since I've never heard that there was a relationship between colostrum pre-birth and milk-supply post birth I was wanting to hear from anyone else who was in a similar situation. Did you have trouble establishing a milk supply for breastfeeding or is this just an unfounded wives-tale? To be honest, I'd just assumed I was lucky not to be leaking and that the hormones after birth would just do their thing to make milk when it was actually needed...
Thanks for you help.

[the_queen]

Firstly, hi! :wave: Welcome to bubhub!

Secondly: Is there a potential supply problem? NO. I never leaked colostrum during either of my pregnancies. My DD had an unrelated feeding issue but the only time I had supply issues with her was when I switched to full time expressing. My son, well he's a boobie monster :p and there's no issue with supply. He's 8 months next week, and he doesn't really eat food yet - a taste here and there, but isn't interested. He's getting plenty of energy from the breastmilk!

The most important thing with breastfeeding is to inform yourself and trust yourself; do not let anyone undermine your breastfeeding relationship before it's even started. A lot of women feel the need to justify why they didn't breastfeed for very long. It's natural human behaviour. You just keep reading and educating yourself, join the ABA, and you'll be fine.

37 weeks hey?! Nearly there!!! :D

[stellarella]

is this just an unfounded wives-tale?

You got it honey...nothing but an old wives tale :yes:

There is no correlation between colostrum during pregnancy and milk supply...

I tell you what...those women have done you a great disservice in making you doubt your supply already!!

BF takes a great deal of trust in your body and your baby...just go with the flow, let your baby feed as often as possible in the first precious 6 weeks of his/her life and you will have a fantastic supply.

Contact ABA for support now and after the birth and ask for help when you need it...and DONT let anyone elses stories make you doubt your ability to feed your bubba!!

[ozzysmum]

what they said ^^^ :yes:

i never leaked anything and have the world's smallest boobs and i exclusively BFed ozzy to 6 months and am still BFing him at 16 months

good luck with everything :D

[*Sparkles*]

I am the opposite, I am 36 weeks PG and I started leaking colostrum from about 20 weeks. I asked the midwives if this means I will have a good milk supply and they said no, it means nothing.
So I wouldn't worry and looking on the bright side at least you haven't had to sleep in a bra or wear breast pads for half of your pregnancy!!

[shed]

It means nothing, as the girls have said.

I had no leaking (thank gawd) and then my milk came in on day three or four and its been flowing ever since. My baby is five months old now.

First coupla days just put bubby to the breast as often as you think of it. Don't panic too much about what he or she is getting - it will be going in, don't let anyone convince you to comp feed, just trust your body to do its job.

[lukaelmo]

Those people are numbnuts...

I never leaked anything at all and I BFed for just over 12 months... BFing can be hard enough without people casting doubts in your mind on your ability to do it before you've even had bubs...

Numbnuts.

[LoveMyBaby]

:wave: Its NOT true!!!
I never leaked and my milk supply is great!
Good luck with the birth of your precious baby and just take each day as it comes.:thumbsup:

[xkwzit]

Yep, those women have sent you a bum steer. I never leaked with pg 1, had HEAPS of milk total OVERSUPPLY. I leaked only on one side with pg 2 - still had TONNES of milk.

Cheers

[Sheer Bliss]

ditto, ditto, ditto to what the others have said!
I started leaking at 16weeks with DD, and had many stress related supply issues. A friend had no leaking whatsoever and always had a massive supply and continued feeding her DD until 14months.

Alot of people don't have enough info about breastfeeding, so you often get the wrong info.

[*Chels*]

Ditto again!
I had no leaking and am still feeding my 14 months old.
Dont let ANYONE lay doubts of seed in your mind!