My milk flow about my milk flow 🙃

I thought I could finally sleep on my stomach after giving birth!

Even after four pregnancies, I am still devastated by this intense phase. In the prenatal period, we talk a lot about childbirth and pain management, but very little about the phase when the milk flow arrives! I can understand that many women are discouraged at this time, to the point of questioning the decision to continue breastfeeding.

For you who are expecting your first baby, here's what you need to know.

Close your curtains, prepare to spend three to five days barricaded at home, bare breasts, painful, swollen like two disproportionate rocks and heavy to carry. A simple brush will make you squeak. I reassure you right away: they will reduce in size in the days to come, and yes, you will be able to sleep on your stomach again.

In order to see things more clearly, I asked advice from the breastfeeding godmothers at Nourri-Source Laurentides , and here are their valuable tips.

What there is to know

“The milky flow corresponds to the beginning of the abundant secretion of milk. Certain birth conditions can influence milk flow, but most mothers will experience it between 36 hours and 72 hours after delivery of the placenta. When the milk flow arrives, women begin to feel fullness in the breasts. Although most moms experience significant engorgement during their milk flow, this isn't necessarily true for all. If you do not feel engorged, this does not mean that your production is insufficient. To ensure that your production adequately meets baby's needs, check the diaper! We want baby to pee at least once per day of life* , and for meconium to be completely eliminated after 48 hours of life. »

*From the sixth day onwards, a minimum of six layers must be achieved. (1)

Advice from godmothers

• Here is some information for moms who experience intense engorgement during their milk supply:
• Before your milk comes in, colostrum adequately meets your baby's nutritional needs.
• The engorgement can last from 24 hours to 72 hours.
• Call your godmother; she will be able to support you and offer you personalized support.
• Breastfeed your baby as soon as he or she tries to suckle, and make sure the latch is good.
• Apply cold between drinks to help reduce swelling (e.g. a bag of frozen vegetables, crushed ice in a bag or a therapeutic cold compress slipped into a wet towel).
• To help milk let down, apply heat and massage the breast for a few minutes before breastfeeding.
• If necessary or to help baby have an optimal intake, express milk manually (video available on the Nourri-Source Laurentides website).

** Feeling engorgement is very painful for the mother, so it is important to contact your godmother quickly. If necessary, she can direct you to the appropriate resources. **

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Without forgetting the good old grandmother's trick of inserting cold cabbage leaves into the bra. It feels really good!

In summary, rest assured: this phase is temporary. To help you manage milk flow, remember these ten commandments signed PEAKBWA:

• At home for a few days you will lock yourself away

• Topless all day long you'll strut around

• On your back you will sleep

• Cabbage leaves you will cherish

• Advil and Tylenol you will ingest

• Hot and cold compresses you will alternate

• Green clay poultices you will apply

• In a hot shower you will unclog

• A breastfeeding godmother you will call

• The “Better living” you will consult

To your health, to that of baby and to his ice cream bar!

1- Book Little Nourri-Source , ^7th edition, p.98