by Kathleen Richardson

Created on: June 16, 2008   Last Updated: June 28, 2008

Every woman experiences the "letdown" of her breastmilk differently. So, while you might want to listen to other women tell of their experiences, take what they say with a grain of salt. Listen to your body, your heart and your baby. Your breastmilk will appear within a few days, and you'll know when it's there.

Putting your baby to your breast as soon as possible will bring your breastmilk right on schedule. That's the schedule that's right for you and your baby. If you're birthing in a hospital, let your spouse, doctor and nurses know that you'd like to nurse your baby immediately after birth. If that's not possible, perhaps because you had a C-section, again press to nurse as soon as possible.

Birthing at home? You're in charge and can lift baby from birth to breast immediately. Without drugs or with a minimum your baby is apt to move those last few inch to your breast all on her or his own. Your breast is a "bulls eye", one that a baby easily recognizes.

If your baby is a preemie or unable to nurse for any other reason, begin pumping your breasts right away by hand or with a manual or electric pump. Not only does your baby needs this colostrums, but also pumping, which mimics the actions of the nursing baby, will bring your milk in.

Your womanly body knows the order of things. First comes colostrum, and then comes breastmilk. You've heard woman say, "My milk didn't come in for three days." Don't let that scare or worry you. Think of the colostrum as the rich, nutritious cream at the top of the milk. This is the part that gives your baby a hefty dose of protection - just what he or she needs to start life.

Some new mothers say they feel pain; that was never my experience. Pain is not supposed to be an indication that your breastmilk has come in. If you're feeling pain around the nipple, it may be a matter of repositioning the baby. Take baby off the breast and then latch her or him on again. If the pain is still there, ask a nurse to help with positioning.

Better yet, bring the name and phone number of a La Leche League leader to the hospital with you. LLL leaders have personal experience and up-to-date information regarding latching on correctly and all other aspects of the breastfeeding relationship. You can find the name of the nearest LLL group and leader at http://www.llli.org.

Is your baby jaundiced - experiencing yellowing skin with a higher than normal bilirubin level? Most babies have this to some degree. Keep nursing as you sit in the window soaking

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