7 days after C-sect and still no milk?????? How can?????

I just got off the phone with my brother in law just now. His wife gave birth to an 8 pounder baby boy last Tuesday evening via C-sect. Well, it's her first pregnancy. And like me when i had Gordon, hoping to have her baby naturally. Too bad, her wish did not materialise. Walking up and down 4 flight of stairs everyday doesnt seem to be of much help physically, lol.

After waiting for more than a week after her due date, beh tahan liao, called me up to enquire about surgery pain and food-intake after op. We blahed and she finally decided she's had enough of waiting, opted to have her baby out that very evening itself. Told her not to wait already, refused to listen. Oh, well.... first baby mah. Cervix also not ripe yet. Her Obs says. "Induce also no guarantee can deliver naturally. But can expect a hell lot of labor pain."

SIL's the kinda person who cannot stand even minor pain. So, whichever delivery method she chose also, will sure to whine after that. She was discharged from the hospital on Thursday morning, the very same day she got off the hospital bed to walk for the first time since her op. Niamah..... which sane doctor would want to send their patient home that day? Nevermind that. He's not my Obs and so, not my problem also.

As expected, she did not attempt to breastfeed her baby during her entire hospital stay, which is less that 48hrs in all, i guess. Reason being, in pain; fair enough. Well, i started breastfeeding Malcolm at 1am - 4am, approximately 8hrs after my op. Well, my boy was happily sucking away despite me being in pain. I'm not comparing, ok.

With whiny SIL resting at home; pain mah.... BIL was left with caring for the baby. First time father, sure enjoy one. Call up occasionally with questions on how to do this and that. Baby was put on formula since birth. Till just now when i ask about how's her milk supply and engorgement issues, he told me, "No milk." How can that be?

I told him if she doesnt do something about it, she can very well forget about breastfeeding very soon. No sucking from baby = no milk production. Simple as that. I had engorgement since day 3 after op and had to pump like mad every 3 hours, enough to feed my entire family of 4, lol. Fresh milk, anyone?

Yes, i'm strongly in advocacy of breastfeeding, exclusive or not, for the first 6 months of a baby's life. What better way of ensuring that one's baby gets the best nutrition in the world that's specifically designed for him, that changes as he grows, and strengthens his immune system at the same time?

Now, dont get me wrong here. Breastfeeding is not the best option for the baby if the mother does not take care of her nutritional intake. Baby gets what the mother eats. Quality and quantity of milk will dwindle if the mother doesnt get enough to eat and/or lacking in nutritional value. In this case, might as well go on formula. Better for both mother and child.

So, now, BIL had better advise his wife to drink more soups/tonics/milk, eat more and whine lesser if she wants to breastfeed successfully. I can only advise that much. The rest is entirely up to them.