Relactationh

Hi,
I had a similar situation. I didn't stop nursing but my milk production slowed down and I went from nursing 5x to 2x per day when my son was 9 mos. Then it seemed my milk went away completely and I was worried I couldn't lactate anymore. Here is how I brought my milk back: I drank an herbal tea for increasing milk production(the recipe will follow). I highly recommend this tea it really works! Also massage your breasts while standing in a hot shower 1x or 2x a day and let the water pulsate over them. This stimulates the milk ducts and also works for loosening a clogged duct. I noticed when I'm stressed out my milk production goes down. Try not to worry and relax when you can. Nurse your baby as much as possible to stimulate production too. I also recommend contacting your local LLL group for advice. Good luck!

Mother's Milk Blend Tea (from the book Naturally Healthy Babies and Children by Aviva J. Romm)

1 ounce dried chamomile flowers
1 ounce dried catnip
1/4 ounce fennel seeds
1/2 ounce dried nettle
1/8 ounce dried lavender flowers
1 cup boiling water

To prepare: Combine all herbs. Put 1 tbsp. in a glass jar, add boiling water, cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain. (A stronger medicinal brew can be made by steeping a small handful of herbs in 1 quart of water for 20 minutes.)
Drink up to 4 cups daily.

I know that it is possible from listening to a lactation specialist. It is my understanding that it is something you must be decicated to emotionally, physically and time wise. I really suggest that you find a lacatation specialist that you trust. On a more positive note, mothers who adopt and have had no previous children can lactate. As women we have the glands, it is the activating them that can take work. Will your daughter latch even if it is just for the closeness with you?

I've always had milk for months after weaning (sometimes years) You should be able to stimulate milk production pretty rapidly since it's only been 8 weeks. Have your daughter nurse on your breast. Try drinking a malt beer (it stimulates milk production). But, first contact La Leche League - they'll have wonderful advice and probably some steps toward re-lactation.

Mom of 4

You might want to talk to a lactation consultant but if you had a good supply before you might get it back. Pump like crazy with a double electric pump to stimulate things (like Medela pump in style) and try pumping while looking at your baby(hormones!).

Also there's a medication called Domperidone(Motilium). It's expensive and not covered by your insurance or FDA approved but it's considered quite safe (over the counter in most countries). If you buy from inhousepharmacy.com you can save a lot of money! The alternative is Reglan which has the side effect of deppression. Domperidone makes you really hungry.
It does boost your lactation.

Check out Mobi.com (maybe .org?) for more lactation help.

Also if you can't get it going there is hypoallergenic formula.

Best of luck! I had a low supply and nothing really got it up enough to bFeed full time.
-C.

call an IBCLC certified lactation consultant. There is a drug called domperidone that is used in other parts of the world (Canada) off-label that increases milk production. Look up Dr. Jack Newman and read all about it. It is only available here with a Dr's Rx and filled a t a compounding pharmacy.
Email me for more info. Can't write much with my toddler on my lap :-)

Hi J.,

Contact someone at La Leche League:
www.llli.org

They should certainly be able to help you.

Good luck!

H.