I stopped breast feeding my baby almost a month ago, but now i am regretting it. I still have a tiny bit of milk in 1 breast when I squeeze it. I have heard that it is possible with pumping to produce milk and then even women who have not had kids can produce milk with constant pumping... Has anyone ever heard of this? I am just wondering if there is anything I can do to get my milk back so I can nurse her more... She is only 4 months old. Thanks
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/relactation.html this should be helpful! I applaud you for doing this! you can do it!!
If you are still producing some milk, it's absolutely possible. It may take a while to get your milk back where your baby "needs it" to be, though, so be prepared for a process, not an overnight or even weeklong turnaround.
Around the same time frame (4 months), I started thinking I was losing my mind while nursing my son because I felt so chained to the house and I started with this intention to wean him (let me briefly explain: we live in the cooker of the SE, it was summer, so no nursing outside. And people here, let's just say they're not as open and accepting at the sight of a nursing mother as they are in many other places).
I started cutting back on his nursing, and my milk slowly started drying up. About 10 days in, I realized that I was being kind of absurd and selfish-- for heaven's sake, what is a few months out of my whole life? Wouldn't I gladly give that up for the benefit/health of my child? So I went back at it. With the help of some fenugreek (yes, safe while nursing, read up on it), drinking a few more glasses of water, an awesome pump, and some determination, I brought my milk back to pre-crazy notion levels.
But baby to breast even when they don't ask for a drink. Sometimes they just want to suck and that's good for milk production. If baby is sleeping through the night (mine was at around the same time), try to pump about an 2 hours after baby goes to bed or after their last feeding. You probably won't get much initially, but it's the act of emptying your breasts so they can refill that you are trying to initiate.
Good luck to you!
Well some babies won't nurse if you don't have a good supply of milk, I found this out! But, put her on to nurse as much as possible and definitely before you give her a bottle. You can also pump frequently. I talked to the pediatrician and he gave me an rx for Reglan, which increases you milk supply and it worked great!
Good luck and don't get discouraged.
You may also want to consider co-sleeping and letting your baby nurse during the night. Her demand will cause the supply of milk to increase.
Until you feel your milk production pick back up you'll have to supplemental feed, but put your daughter back to the breast, her nursing will stimulate production. It may not be sufficient to breast feed exclusively, give it a try. I wish you well.
The best way to get your milk back is to put baby to breast. Baby will stimulate your production far better than the pump. You will still want to pump after each attempted nursing session until you get your production back up. It could take as long as a month so don't be discouraged if you need to continue to supplement her at least that long.
Yes it is possible to get your supply back. You need to get her to nurse as much as possible and use a Supplemental nursing system. this is a syringe with a small tube attached that you attach to your nipple and you put formula or alternative formula in the syringe and when the baby latches correctly and sucks correctly you push the syringe down to allow the formula to go through and feed the baby. This stimulates your system but also gets her used to the breast again. There is also a drug called Domperidone that is used off label to help stimulate breast milk. It is actually a cholesterol monitoring drug that has a side effect of causing lactation including in men! I have used it and found it safe for me. You need to find a naturopath or midwife who can prescribe it as most DR's I know won't prescribe it.
Good luck!
S.
I agree with everything said. A lactation consultant once told me that the keys to good breastfeeding habits for mom include: rest, relaxation and hydration. It takes a lot of hormones and calories for your body to produce milk. So relax, put the baby to breast often, pump if your not with your baby and hydrate.
Also, remember that antihistamines, caffeine, stress, etc. can all affect your supply/production.
I found great success with Fenugreek capsules from Whole Foods and Mother's Milk Tea. I took 2 capsules with each meal, and two before bedtime and my milk production would increase in about 24-48 hrs. (That was to get more milk when already BFing.)
Good for you for getting back to it! It really is the best thing for your baby. Even if you decide all you can "do" is early in the am (after a long night of your breasts filling up) and before bedtime, that's still better than nothing!
Sure you can. Contact a lactation consultant or La Leche League for some help. Do you have a breast pump? Start pumping and nursing.
Hopefully by now you have found out how totally possible it is. I actually read an article in Mothering about a mom who adopted a child and then she pumped and pumped and wanted her adopted daughter to have breastmilk, and it happened for her! Very cool! Breast is best!
Relactation is definately possible for many women. There's a protocol for it, but I don't know it. Get in touch with a La Leche Leaque leader and she should be able to help you.
