Q: Doc how safe am I? I’m on 2 months injection. I was supposed to go on the 05th for my next injection but I went on the 7^th

A: How safe are you? Well, not safe if you had sexual intercourse during the two days you had no means of contraception. If you find yourself in that situation ever again, please abstain or use a condom. Another option is the morning after pill which can be taken within 72 hours (some can be taken within 5 days) of unprotected intercourse and can help prevent pregnancy.

Q: Please Dr. I am close to my delivery date yet no water is coming out of my breast, Please ma’am, is it OK for me or not?

A: Hi dear, worry ye not! 😀 I’m sure your breasts will rise to the occasion of breastfeeding as soon as it’s time.

You didn’t mention how many weeks or months pregnant you are. Generally, the milk glands start the job of milk production early in pregnancy (1^st trimester). Some women may notice leakage of yellowish milk from their breasts as early as second trimester but some may not see anything until after baby has been delivered.

Feeding should, ideally, start within one hour of having your baby. Your breast already has a stock of breast milk but it does take your baby sucking to make the breast milk ‘come out.’ So, the earlier you put the baby to the breast, the sooner proper breastfeeding can be established. Your baby will probably sleep away the first 24 hours or so, so it may be a challenge to put the baby to the breast. Try the best you can and make sure that your baby’s mouth covers the areola which is the dark coloured area of the nipple.

Some women who had their babies through Caesarian Section may also experience delays in breast feeding just like some other women. There’s no specific reason for this and the same advice of putting the baby to the breast often suffices. The more often you put your baby to the breast, the better your milk supply will be.

Just in case you’re worried that your baby will starve before full breast feeding is established, don’t be. Your baby doesn’t need more than a few teaspoonfuls of colostrum (which your breast already has and baby gets as he suckles) in the first few days. They contain a lot of substances that help build your baby’s immunity. If, however, by 72 hours you’re still not making breast milk, be sure to discuss with your doctor so that he can confirm that your baby is getting enough to eat. Before this time, don’t get tempted to offer glucose water or formula feeds if you plan to breast feed.

Now just in case you wondered about pap with milk and whether this helps breast milk come in faster? Well, my answer is this. If you want to take your pap, please indulge…in sizeable portions. If it helps your breast milk come in, that’s fine. I guess if the pap is watery enough, it will help hydration and you certainly need to be well hydrated for breast feeding to happen without stress 😀

Have a good night, people 😀