Suggestions for Relactation

kellymom.com has great relactation advice. Also, breastfeeding.com is good..I sometimes do the "live chat"

Find a good Lactation Consultant. It is not too late. Alison Hazelbaker is in Central Ohio, or the Elizabeth Blackwell Center has excellant LCs as well.

Here is an article about relactating http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/relactation.html

I would think that you have a good chance to get bf'ing again. I wish you the best of luck!

Breast feeding is all about supply and demand. The more you do it, the more you will make. Are you completely dried up? I am not sure how to stimulate your body to produce milk if you are. However, I would try contacting the hospital where you delivered. They have lactation consultants you could either talk with over the phone or schedule an appointment with one. This may be very helpful since you had some discomfort before.
Also, www.breastfeeding.com is helpful. I must warn you that some of the mothers on that website are die hard breast feeders but they usually give really good advice. There are also lactation consultants you can chat with too.
Good luck! I am so glad you decided to try again. It is the best thing for your little girl!

Breastfeeding is about supply and demand. The more you stimulate and empty the milk out of your breast the more you will make. Each time you stimulate your breast it releases a hormone called prolactin. When that hormone stays high the more you will make. If you had cracked sore nipples your baby was not latching properly. You need to latch her on deeper. The more areola you get into her mouth the less pain you will have and the more milk she will be able to squeeze out and the better stimulation you will have. You can start putting her back to the breast by catching her when she first starts to wake up. Do it before she is crying of hunger. Do a lot of skin to skin. You will need to pump your breast also to tell your body to increase your milk. Put the baby to the breast every feeding as long as she will. She may only do it 5-30 min. due to not alot of milk coming out yet but you need to keep her interested and familiar with the breastfeeding. Pump the breast after the baby latches for 10-30 min. There is medicine called Reglan that your OB Dr. can prescibe that can help increase your supply as long as you are stimulating your breast every 2-3 hours. Call your hospital where you had the baby and ask to see or talk to the lactation consultant. Call your local Laleche League. Hope this helps a little. It is never too late to try. L.

It is not to late to start up again. You can try pumping to help get your milk supply back up again. As for the cracking and soreness there is a cream called Lansinoh. It is produced or supported by the Leleche League. It worked wonders for me. I had issues when I became engorged and my daughter could not latch on. It took care of the problem right away. It is about $13 dollars a tube, but it last a long time. It is mostly made up of aloe. It is all natural and you don't have to clean it off between feedings.

Mother of four girls, and i nursed everyone of them. Good Luck!

You are doing the right thing for your baby. I've been a nursing mom for 4 years now and I remember the early days of painful latching (a very distant memory, like the pain of childbirth!) Make sure you drink plenty of water, use Lanisol (is that the name of it?) to soothe the nipples and use your childbirthing breathing techniques to focus your energy on something besides the pain. I found that watching TV or reading helped to divert my mind.

As far as relactating, I've heard of adoptive mothers lactating without being pregnant. Your body is not that far away that it couldn't make milk. Do you remember the story of the family who was stuck in their car for a week during a snow storm a couple of years ago? She nursed her 7 month old and 4 year old to keep them alive. She relactated.

Call the La Leche League hotline. Here is a link that lists several groups. Don't wait to go to a meeting, call asap. If you are not in the Columbus area, use google to help find LLL. http://www.columbusparent.com/live/contentbe/EPIC_shim.ph...

As far as supply, feed on demand. Your body will respond to her needs. Whenever she wants to nurse, honor her and soon, your supply will meet her demand. This is how the human race has survived for so many centuries. Babies bodies know what they need and when.

Your bigger problem than relactating may be getting her off that bottle nipple. They are much easier to get milk from so sometimes they have to get used to the breast again. If you must give her a bottle, get the tiniest hole you can find so she has to work really hard to get the milk. Breastfeed her before she is really hungry, so she is not frustrated. Also breastfeed her for comfort as well as nourshment, skip the pacifier for the moment. Get her used to your nipple again.

Good luck

Laura

Even Mom's who adopt can breastfeed. It may not be easy to get your milk back but it is possible. First of all, it sounds like she was latched on wrong. i would definately recommend seeing a lactation consultant. She will probably suggest you use a supplemental nursing system which is a tube that is attached to your breast with formula in it. It will give you stimulation to get your milk back and keep your baby happily at the breast. You will probably need to pump after for awhile. Some people suggest medicines or herbs for milk supply. I would recommend oatmeal. It works great. Be sure and see a lactation consultant though because you need your baby latched correctly. Before taking any meds or herbs, check with your md. Some have bad side effects. Good luck! J. ( mom of 3, breast feeding peer counselor for 3 yrs.)

Definitely not too late! It will take a little work, but you can get your milk flowing. Just let her nurse frequently, even if nothing is coming out. yOu might try a pump as well. I think every woman (myself included) at some point thinks she isn't producing enough milk. But that is RARELY the case and so long as she is gaining weight and pooping, you are doing just fine! Good luck! You might also check out the La Leche League group in your area - www.llli.org, the worlds leading resource on breastfeeding.
Cheers
P.

It is not too late. I would first get some cream to help with your nipples (call your OB and they will suggest a good one). Then I would either invest in a pump or rent one from your local pharmacy or hospital and start pumping to get your milk back.
I would also encourage you not to feel guilty for not breastfeeding. You are the mommy and you know what's best for your little one. Formula is a little more filling. So if your don't think she is getting full you should not feel guily for giving her formula. I supplemented with both my children. For example, I would nurse during the day and supplement with formula at night so that my husband could participate in the feedings and also so that my baby would sleep a little longer b/c he/she tummy was full. Soceity puts so much pressure on mom's today. Do you what you feel is best for your baby.

Kudos to you for wanting to try again. I had the same problem with my first and later wished that I could go back. At the time, I didn't know that I could. I stuck it out with my other two, the two weeks mark is the hardest part, it gets easier after that. I keep reading that if you latch on correctly there isn't any pain, but I've not experienced that, even with the help of lactation consultants, the pain and cracked nipples still happened. Really, its just common sense, have you ever looked at the thumb of a child who sucks it, it gets cracked and raw also, and your thumb is much tougher than your breast! Gerber also makes a product that is soothing gel patches, you wear them inside your bra, and store them in the refrigerator. They are great for the pain in the beginning. Good Luck, this really is the best thing for you and your baby.

Shouldn't be if she will agree to it. I would either nurse her then feed her formula as she wont get any milk at first so she will actually need to be fed. This will stimulate the milk to come back. Or you could get a tube thing that she will nurse and milk will come through the tube as she sucks. Or you could try pumping to get milk in. At least with my first I had my milk for 2 months after I stopped. My second it didn't hang on quite as long, but two weeks should not be too far gone. Don't waste any more time though. It is easy when nursing to feel like you don't have enough milk. Your breasts change as nursing continues. You need to trust nature.

I just read all the responses--good information. Yes, first make sure that you are getting a good deep latch--you can practice touching the baby's top lip middle with your nipple to get her to open wide--then get a good deep latch. Her chin should be against your breast, the nose so she can breathe. If she can't breathe, she will pull off (survival)and relatch, and the latching can be painful. Support her head by holding the nape of the neck. She should be nursing fifteen minutes on each side. If she is still hungry, then move back to the other side. You will notice that she nurses, nurses, and then waits and then starts swallowing. If she isn't getting much, she will be frustrated. Then give her some pumped breast milk (if you have any or formula). I see the eye dropper, etc.--too much work. Once you have more milk in, she won't want the bottle. Your part in this is to continue your prenatal vitamins, eat a well balanced diet, and the thing nobody said, was drink, drink, drink! At least 8 oz of water everytime you nurse. After the feeding, use your breast pump, about ten minutes on each side. You should have your milk back in a couple of days. Some things do work against you, like antihistamines and birth control pills, but they can be overcome. Good Luck.

I'd try Lansinoh product to begin softening your breasts again, as well as trying to stand in warm showers applying a downward pressure or stroke on your breasts to stimulate milk "movement." Put baby onto your breast afterward. Try putting baby to the breast after each time you do this. (and then some--you can't be in the shower all day!) This may help you feel physically better able to withstand that strong little latch! Use the Lansinoh ointment after each nursing, too. It won't hurt baby at all. I remember having feelings of that kind of pain and it was difficult to continue through it. But hey, now I've successfully nursed five babies for several years each! Check your latching procedure. This can be tricky, but it starts the nursing off how you need for successful nursing. As for overcoming the current pain, hopefully, you are able to grit through some of the rough spots to get your supply back up again. I've heard that green tea (you drink) is helpful in milk supply, too. Additionally, keep up your other liquids. Drink A LOT. Think about your baby and try to be as calm and relaxed as you can prior to nursing. And sit or lie down comfortably. I hope this will help you to reconnect in this way. You are thinking of doing the right thing; breastfeeding is tough if you don't have wonderful support. THere were many times I was wanting to quit, but thankfully had a great sister-in-law who cheered me on through all the "pains" and frustrations. I hope it will all work out as you'd like!

My advice would just be to start trying to nurse and see. If your child isn't getting anything or enough I would still supplement and start pumping to get the supply up, although I wouldn't suggest that after you know you are producing, if you pump too much you will wind up engorged and in pain and worse than you were before. Use some lanolin if you can to help the cracking, go into this knowing that it might take a little while to get the hang of and into a rhythm and be willing to stick with it. The first six weeks with my son were filled with ups and downs, but it was well worth it in the end. Good luck!

1. There is a product called AQUAPHOR that is used for severly dry & cracked skin. Good stuff. Pure aloe is a great healer for the skin as well.

2. Sore nipples are usually caused by improper nursing positions and nursing schedules, or incorrect sucking by the baby. They can also be caused by infection, most commonly with the fungus CANDIDA.

3. Short frequent feedings vs longer ones

4. Apply moist heat for 30 min prior to each feeding and massage breasts during feedings to help stimulate milk flow.

5. DO NOT use nipple shields

6. Any of the following herbs can be beneficial for nursing mothers....alfalfa, BLESSED THISTLE (HIGHLY recommeded), horsetail and/or raspberry.

I'm currently breastfeeding my third and have not had the problems i had with my first. Find a good lactation consultant who can help you and your daughter get a good latch. That has made a huge difference for me. I've been a little sore occasionally with this one, but nothing like I got with my first. I had to supplement my first and pumped to keep up my milk supply. Your supply is increased by the demand. You might also find out about supplemental nursing systems. The baby gets supplemented while breastfeeding. And this is supposed to help with your milk supply.
My sister is always telling me to trust my motherly instincts. I think this is really good advice. So trust your instincts -- you know what is best for your baby.
Best wishes,
M.

I didn't read through all the responses you have got so if you've already checked this link out wonderful, if not here you go.....
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/adopt/index.html
LOTS of information on the whole site about breastfeeding. I read through the relactation part just on curiosity a few weeks ago. LOTS of great information. Hope this helps and good luck with nursing!!!!! It's a wonderful thing for your child and yourself if you want to/can do it.
Also I would check out the local La Leche League for help with nursing.

Maybe someone else mentioned this, but this tea might help:
http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/?id=30&pid=79

You probably know about Lansinoh lanolin, it's great for soothing nipples and you can get it at lots of pharmacies, and I think at Target: http://www.lansinoh.com/index.php?src=directory&view=...

And it would be great to see a lactation consultant, if there's one at the hospital where you had your baby.

Also you might want to get support from La Leche League. Here's a link to their Ohio meeting places: http://www.lllohio.org/groups/index.html

I have a friend who was able to do it, and so I know it's possible, with commitment and support. Stick with it, and good for you for wanting to do this. Good luck!

i know some adoptive mothers who breastfed....! so it's DEFINITELY a possiblity if you were nursing 2 weeks ago! try pumping, or have your baby suck. your body will provide milk.

make sure you have a correct latch--- it should not hurt to breastfeed. best wishes for you and your baby!

You could try to pump and stimulate your glands again, although 2 weeks is a long time. Give it a try and see what happens.

Good luck! Keep us informed on your luck.
R.

I have nursed two children and have been a lactation consultant for several years. I'm sad that someone wasn't there with you in the first couple of weeks to help out. With my daughter, we went through a natural weaning process as she got older. Eventually she would only nurse when she needed some extra emotional support or when she was sick. This would mean that It would be a month in between at times but I always have milk. Right now even. There are things you can buy to help milk production. A healthfood store would have these things . Many adopting moms take something to start production.You can look that up on the internet.
Other than that the truth is that the more you offer her the breast as her first and only choice, the better chance you have at getting her to be loyal and committed. Babies get lazy when they are bottle fed because it's not as much work and the sucking is completely different so they can get confused.
You can use an eye dropper to give her milk and then pump your milk some if you have a pump. You might not get much out initially ( maybe less than an ounce). That's not neccessarily what your baby would be getting, it's just common with a pump not to get a lot out at first.
The main thing to know is it may SUCK for a few weeks but then, it' gets easier and easier until eventually you'd never go back to a bottle because breastfeeding is so much more convenient and easy.
Don't be suprised if your breasts don't feel as full anymore after the second month. YOU HAVEN"T DRIED UP. Your body has just adapted and produces the milk as needed. Be well and have a glass of wine before nursing to relaz yourself. Talk to yourself and the baby with soothing thoughts. The baby is learning this process just like you are and they can get fussy when they don't get the milk right away. I remember talking to my little girl soothingly saying "Don't worry sweetie, it's coming, just relax" To myself I was saying "Don't worry L. , it's going to come out eventually, just relax" Eventually it would. Minutes can feel like months when the baby is crying. Our emotions are tied up in this process. Nursing can bring up fears of inadequecy of motherhood but just remember, your body was designed for this, we carry the liquid gold , we made this baby, our body knows what the baby needs.

It's never too late!! YAY!! I too "re-lactated". I quit breastfeeding for almost two months, was completely dried up and was able to fully lactate by using a supplemental nursing device and ended up nursing my daughter until she was about two years old! I was SO glad I got to share that with her.

Medela USA makes a wonderful supplemental nursing system - that is what I used. I ask my doctor about it and she made a phone call to the local hospital and they gave it to me for free. It's basically a bottle with tubing. You tape the tubing to your breasts and when your baby is ready to nurse you're able to supplement with formula via this nursing system and the suckling while she is latched on causes you to lactate. The tubing varies in diameter (in the beginning larger for more formula, as you produce more milk smaller for less formula).

The trick was getting my daughter to associate that position with feeding time - again. :) And it took a couple of weeks to fully get things turned around to where I was fully lactating w/o a supplement - but we did it! I also took some herbs - with the approval of my doctor. I remember Marshmallow and something else - I can't say how much the herbs helped but if you look online for re-lactating you'll find great information. I would also suggest getting a sling if you're going to nurse - I found that to be a big help to successful nursing. I had the will to breastfeed again and that is what helped most.

Good luck - I really hope it works for you!!

Actually, it's NEVER too late! You can even lactate for adoptions:)
What you want to do is let her latch and get what she can, then pump right after for 10-15 minutes and then one hour later as well. You can take Fenugreek to help. If you can't get enough within a few weeks, then ask your doc about Reglin. I would highly recommend seeking out a lactation consultant or a La Leche League meeting or leader.

Good for you for wanting to go back!!! I hope it works for you both.

Nurse as much as possible. Your baby will stimulate your milk supply better than pumping, but you could also try pumping in between feedings. Good luck!! There's no stronger bond than a nursing mom and baby, enjoy it!!!!!

Breastfeeding should not hurt. A proper latch is critical in the baby getting the milk he/she needs. If your baby is latched on poperly he/she will not be sucking on the nipple, the nipple will be towards the back of the mouth, and you should not have sore nipples. Sore nipples are a way of telling us that something is not right. When my baby was a few weeks old I had to gently press her head into my breast to get a proper deep-mouth latch, and then had no pain. She soon learned how to properly latch on her own. We have been nusing for over a year, and I have not had sore nipples. As others have mentioned the La Leche League is a very supportive and helpful group of women for breastfeeding at any stage.

No it is not too late but you will have to get her to suckle alot and suppliment with formuila until your milk comes back full call the local leleche league those woman know everything and can help you out, also, try clling the elizabethblackwell center bor lactation specialist at riverside they can help you out

As long as you are still producing some milk it's not to late to get her back to breastfeeding only. I have supplimented when I needed to and nursed my youngest till he was almost 10 1/2 mo. old... then it just became to hard with work and school so we had to give it up.

Lansinoh is the "cream of gods" when it comes to soreness when breastfeeding. I got a tube from the hospital with each of my little ones. The tube lasted me almost 6 months so it is worth buying. You can find it in most stores that sell baby stuff and it's usually near the bottles. If you want to try it before you buy it you can get a sample by calling 1-800-292-4794.

The key if you want to go back to nursing is to nurse, nurse, nurse... the more she "suckles" (which babies love to do) the more you will produce.

We all have wondered if we are giving them enough... just watch her diapers. If she is having 6-8 wet diapers and at least one poopy a day then she is getting what she needs. I got scared when my boy would only nurse for 5 min at a time - it lasted about 3 weeks... then all of a sudden he was back to 20 min murses and started gaining weight again. They have odd patterns, but I was told to watch the diapers. And only be concerned if he didn't have enough.

Good luck! If you still have question - try calling the hospital you had the baby to see if they can let you know of a consultant in your area.

Hi Jeane'! Congratulations on your first baby girl! Isn't life different now?! I nursed my three kids, and I'm sure that if you got her latched on, she could get your milk back into gear. Be sure to drink LOTS of water and eat well. Those are two main things that help with your milk production. I would contact the lactation consultant at your hospital, because I'm sure they will have more advice as to how to get your milk back in full gear. But in the meantime, get her on the breast. You may have to give her a couple of ounces of formula after (certainly not before) she nurses to supplement until your supply comes completely back. You certainly don't want to let her get too hungry. The more milk she removes from the breast, the more you will produce. It's a quantity in demand kind of thing. If she's having at least six wet diapers a day, you are probably producing enough milk for her. I wish you the best of luck with everything!

I've nursed 3 babies successfully, and I'm sorry to tell you that all 3 times I got sore cracked nipples. I did use lanolin and it did help, but you have to push through it. They are like that because they didn't get that much use before the baby arrived. As for your milk, the other moms are right, you are still producing. A year after my son was weaned, I would still get a small amount of leakage overnight every once in a while and could express a bit. If you're determined to breast feed, you can do it. I have found with my friends that if you're not committed to it, it's easier to fall back on formula. Find a good lactation consultant and don't worry. Stick to it and I know you will be happy you did. It's the absolute best thing you can do for yourself and your baby.