Is It Possible to Start Breastfeeding After You Quit??

J.,
Yes, it is possible to start breastfeeding again after you stop. The body responds to the sucking. Although it won't be an instant let down of milk as before. It will take a little more time to get the milk flowing again. It is one of those things though that some women may be successful and some may not. If for some reason it doesn't work for you, at least you had the six months. I understand it's a very sad thing to stop breastfeeding. Good luck to you.

T.
workathomeunited.com/T.

I think that depends on how long you have not been nursing, and if you have even the slightest bit of milk left. When something similar happened to me, I started using a breast pump on the highest setting, and most of my milk came back within a week, but my daughter did not want to nurse anymore, so I just used the breastmilk in a bottle. I would certainly give it a try if it is something that is important to you. I also took fenugreek during that time, and my family doctor told me that one beer a day does wonders, and he was right.

YES!! There is always a possibility it won't work but it is worth checking into. Prolactin (sp?) is the hormone that makes the milk flow. It would be worth it. I wish my 17 month old was still nursing. If you started nursing again you could nurse for at LEAST another 1.5 years. That would be so awesome. When my mom adopted my sister and I, the doctor told her she could take a hormone so she could nurse my sister (6 weeks old at the time). You may not even need a hormone. You can also help yourself out by pumping too. Just get a hand pump if you don't have an electric one (I like the hand pumps just as much or more than my electric one). Then pump between feedings. Even if no milk comes out don't stress. That will just make it worse and it could take some time. I wish you the best of luck!!!

I was able to start again after a two week vacation I took with my husband (my baby was 9 months and I breast feed for a year). I tried to pump while we were gone, but I was still pretty dried up when I returned. I called a lactation consultant and she advised me to drink LOTS of liquids and just let my baby suck. Sure enough....I made milk again. Try talking to a lactation consultant and see if they have any other advice for you.

Refer to Momsmark.com

Yes it is possible to re-lactate. I did it with my son when he was 4 mos old. I had to quit because I got really sick and was on medication. I pumped for a month but my supply was low because he wasn't nursing. A nurse friend told me to start pumping every 3-4 hours for at least 20 mins FAITHFULLY and even once in middle of night if possible. I did it and my supply did increase. My son, wasn't as interested in nursing as he was prior to this but I was able to nurse again. I was stressed due to my illness and not being able to nurse and was still able to re-lactate, but I do know that stress can decrease your supply, unfortunately. I hope this helps!

J.

I know I can offer much help, but I was watching that show on TLC called Adoption Stories and this couple was adopting a baby from another country and she wanted so badly to breastfeed so her doctor put her on a hormone the made her body think she was pregnant then took her off of it and then she started producing milk. That is all I know, I don't know how long she was on the hormone or what the hormone even was. I'm sorry I can't offer more help, but at least it gives you a little bit of hope. Good Luck.

yes, it's possible. it may require a visit to the doctor to be prescribed a hormone (i forget what it is), and it will require a great deal of dicipline to pump and feed as much as possible, but it can be done if you really want it enough.
kudos to you! i gave up breastfeeding after i knew i couldn't keep up with pumping when going to work and college and my son's father's visitation time. if you can go back to it, that's wonderful!!!

J.,

Unfortunatly I was not able to breastfeed:( but my friends did and one of them quit then her son was not gaining enought weight 2 monthes later her ob put her on meds to make her produce milk, so call your ob they can help you out if you are no longer producing.

Hope this helps Good Luck
W.

Hi J.:
It may be possible to restart breastfeeding depending on how long you have lapsed and if baby is willing to suckle. Since breastfeeding is a supply and demand thing, you'll need to nurse (or pump) as frequently as possible while you build your supply back. I would strongly suggest that you consult a lactation consultant to help you get started, but there are also some herbal products that increse supply such as Mother's Milk tea, Fenugreek, and oatmeal.

Most hospitals offer a BF support group where you can tap into the expertise of a lactation consultant. Also try La Leche League (http://www.llli.org/) or kellymom.com for online resources.

I'm no expert, but I'd be glad to lend a sympathetic ear.

E.

The only way to know for sure is to give it a shot!It is absolutley a possibility and worth trying. If you both enjoy it, I wouldn't worry about how much you're producing as long as you're continuing to supplement.

You need to check with yout doctor.

Hey, J.

They are ways to start lactating again. You can contact your local www.lalecheleague.org. Heat helps to produce more and milk thistle. It is also important to drink lots of water. Hope this helps
jo

Yes, it is possible. Check out kellymom.com for information on relactating. It will take a lot of work, but you can definitely do it. There are lots of women on cafemom who have done it. I think you should be able to do it. Check out kellymom and just google relactating. I've never done it, but you definitely can. Good luck