Okay, moms. This may come off as a little weird, but maybe not. I was wondering if anyone who has nursed and then stopped (or ran dry, etc.) has ever tried relacatation?
My son will be 10 months old at the end of the month, and while I do not want to start nursing him again (are you kidding, he has 6 teeth!) I would very much like to see if I can start lactating again to pump milk for him.
I nursed him (and pumped)for about three months but then had issues with my supply so eventually had to stop.
We all know that last year's flu season was really bad, as well as people getting colds, and even though we were going a lot of places (after he was about 6 weeks old) he never got sick until I stopped giving him breast milk. Now he isn't even on baby food anymore (we just make him veggies and other healthy food) but I would like to get some breast milk stored just to give his little immune system a boost. We've all been sick about three or four times in the past two months, and I hate to see it. Of course I know he'll still get sick, but I just thought maybe it would help a little.
I guess I am wondering if you would relactate the same way you get started, which I had to do by pumping? I still have little leaks sometimes, so I know it's possible. I just wondered if anyone else had ever thought of this or done it?
J.,
It seems very unlikely to me, but if you have leaks now and then I think you would have a pretty good shot. I have also heard of adoptive moms lactating after pumping and taking supplements. I think it's a great idea, give it a try!
I do know that you can buy breast milk. I am wondering why you are not still feeding formula, isn't supposed to be stopped at 12 months at the soonest? I exclusively breast fed for 12 mo or more with both mine and was more than happy when I stopped lactating, so I'm not of much help. Good luck.
~K.
I think if you are still leaking from time to time you have a real good chance to start lactating again. Try what you are thinking about...what can it hurt? Except for temporary discomfort. Get your liquid intake up again too.
I have not done that, but I do still leak a little bit. I have had a slight issue with this since I stopped nursing...and my son is almost 12 yo!!! According to my gyn, I could nurse a baby still today, should I choose to. Ask your gyn - they should know if you would be able to do this. I would think, if you're still leaking a little, you should be able to start back without problems. You will probably have the clear stuff for the first few days, just like when you first nursed.
Oh, you totally can. Even women who have never been pregnant can do it.
It takes a lot of patience. Or smart planning, you could say. Maybe get some books on tape :)
L.
not sure what kind of pump you have but i would invest in a really good one if you want to be successful. (i swear by medela, i have a freestyle and it has made all the difference). just pump for 15-20 minutes every 3 hours or so and i bet you'll build up quite a supply. set out some baby pictures or pump in your baby's room surrounded by his things (i bring one of my daughter's receiving blankets to work so when i pump i have something that smells like her...sounds weird but it works). i know a lot of people say that diet doesn't really affect your milk supply but i'm not sure that's true...i've noticed HUGE difference by eating more oatmeal and drinking lots more water. i wasn't producing as much at one point and i quit caffeine and noticed a huge improvement.
i think what you are trying to do is great. it will take some effort but it should be worth it. btw, i've read that pumping while you have a cold or are trying to fight infection means boosted antibodies in your milk which is even better for your little one. best of luck!
I did alot a research on lactating when I adopted my first baby.While I was trying for the miracle of lactacting, the only way that any milk ever let down was before I knew that I was pregnant!!! Silly me, I thought it was a miracle that I produced milk. It was a miracle but(not the one I was expecting!), I didn't know that I was pregnant! I never knew about the herbal choices when I gave birth to my second baby. My milk production was never enough for him from the start. Here is a link to a website that talks about some choices for increasing milk production. The herbal choices seem the smartest. Good luck. http://breast-feeding.adoption.com/nursing/breast-feeding... Hope this helps!
Start pumping as much as you can stand it. Drink tons of fluids and make sure you're eating enough calories. I've heard from lactation consultants that oatmeal helps with your supply, so maybe munch on some oatmeal cookies throughout the day. Also, there is Mother's Milk Tea. You can get it anywhere that has health foods like Akins. Its not bad if you add a little honey.
I think you have a great idea and you can totally do this! Just don't give up if you get frustrated. It might take a little time but hang in there!! Good luck!
A.
I am going to see what others say, sorry.
Many adoptive moms can successfully nurse their babies. Even when women have a "low milk supply" there are MANY measures that you can take to increase your milk - Fenugreek, Mother's Milk tincture, supplemental iron, etc... but most don't realize that there is a drug available to help increase the prolactin levels in your brain - thereby increasing your milk supply. Check out this website - Domperidone is AWESOME, it WORKS and there are generally NO SIDE EFFECTS. Check with a local lactation consultant to see about getting it. It is a shame that most women think that if their supply tapers off there are no other alternatives! http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/domperidone.shtml
I like this Kelly Mom website and like any good breastfeeding source they refer you to La Leche league.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/adopt/relactation-resources.ht...
I hope this is helpful - good luck on your journey!!
J.
I had problems with my supply when I was nursing my now 2 year old as well. What I ended up doing was supplementing with formula because no matter how much I nursed I just couldn't get my supply back to where it was prior to going back to work. Now when I was nursing my lactation consultant told me that after 6 months your baby is purely using his/her own immune system and is not feeding off yours through your breast milk. You may want to consider this prior to going through relactation. Good luck.
Take Fenugreek!! Milk will return!
--Hs
Yes you can even nurse an adopted baby. The device you use is called a "Lactaid." It attaches to the breast with a small tube and that baby nurses to build up the milk supply while getting milk inside the "Lactaid" device. You would need to allow your 8 month old to nurse though in my experience as a lactation consultant. It has been a few years however since I have done this work, so it's possible that there may be newer devices also. Your baby can nurse with teeth without biting. Contact La leche League regarding this problem. If you would strongly say "no biting" while breaking the latch with your finger your baby will stop. It is very common to nurse a baby past one year old and in other countries it is much longer. I applaud you for trying again to nurse, as it is so beneficial for your little one's health. Sincerely, B. S. RN CCM
I was surprised that I still had tiny amounts of milk still present long after I stopped breastfeeding. Speak with a lactation consultant....we have a birth center that is wonderful and supportive when it comes to breastfeeding questions. I found the birth center more helpful than the hospital. They had a breastfeedig consultant on staff. Herbs do help...ask your local bf consultant about your options. Our medical file from our first child was outrageous...the youngest was breastfed solely for a year and he has seen the doctor once. Good luck!
When my daughter was nursing I had a low supply. The doctor actually gave me a prescription to increase my supply. I am not sure what the name of it was but it did help some. He mentioned that women who are adopting newborns take it so they can breast feed. Just a thought. Hope it helps.
J.!
That would be awesome for your little one to get the antibodies from you again. Pumping is going to be a huge help and you'll be able to take Fenugreek (purchased at health food store), oatmeal helps... You can consult www.kellymom.com or www.llli.org for more info on relactation. You could probably also consult a Lactation Consultant at a hospital near you - they do not charge to help you or you can find one in your community. They would be able to help you as well! I've read that your children can benefit from the antibodies in your milk until they are two, at least! Breastmilk is extremely expensive to purchase...
Best wishes!
K.
Relactation is possible. I nursed and 'dryed up' but then began without any help. I lactated for 8 yes eight years. So it's not impossible. Good luck.
