Hi Mamas,
my son is a little over 2 months old now. I breastfed him for a week but due to wicked sore nipples (he'd been latch on wrong from the start until the 2nd day which I was already cracked and bleeding and having other issues) I stopped. My milk supply has not dried up compeltely, it's not flowing like it was when I stopped but I think I can get it back. I started pumping again today to see if I can get it flowing again. He won't "drink" from me which I completely understand, he is used to getting his food on command, not used to having to "work" for it. My hope is to get a good flow going again and be able to have him take it from me, but if not, I plan on pumping. He is having a lot of tummy troubles and has to see a GI specialist because of constant spitting up (not the usual/normal type). My hope is that if I can get him breastmilk, that it may take care of a lot of his "issues." Has anyone else been in my shoes? If so, what worked best for you? Thanks much.
I don't have experience with restarting, but want to applaud you for trying again to breast feed. It is such an awesome experience in so many ways, I wish you much patience and success! P.S. I know lots of liquids always helped me with milk production.
Find a good lactation consultant. My son couldn't latch on for about 8 weeks do to jaw and poor suck reflex. We worked with the lactation office at our hospital and they were able to give me so much help and suggestions. He is 15 weeks now and we are finally nursing. While I was going to them, they were also working with a 6 month old, putting him back to the breast. They did it, they got him back to the breast.
Google lactation for your area, ask your OB office for a recommendation, also your pediatrican office. La Leche League would also be able to help, I do know some people that have had some negative experiences with LLL, mainly consultants being mean and harsh, I haven't used LLL so I can't say.
I also suggest speaking with a lactation consultant. I used one when I was having questions/concerns about breastfeeding my daughter. I wasn't sure what to expect but she was wonderful. She addressed all my concerns and was very patient with my baby too. Here's her website: http://www.thenewbornbaby.com/debbie-page-ibclc/. Good luck!
Try pumping to build it up! Once you are flowing good it will be easier for him too!It does hurt at the beginning and probably will again until you build up a calous!
He may have reflux too. My daughter spit up a lot and had reflux, Good Luck!
M. - SAHM and WAHM and loving it!
Keep pumping every 2 hours even at night to get your supply back. Try fenugreek to speed things up - 3 pills 3 times a day - after you feel the effect you can stop and support it with regular pumping until you're able to breastfeed. The key is to KEEP YOU SPIRIT UP! Try to stay positive even if your little one won't breastfeed. Stress is the ABSOLUTE WORST thing for your milk supply - I know from experience. I have been bottle feeding my son breastmilk for almost 3 months now (he's almost 7) after I went back to work and started going on business trips. While I miss breastfeeding, this is definitely the second best option, far better than formula. Good luck!
This is not the same situation as your exactly. However, my son did not nurse until 6 weeks old and he had reflex symptoms as well.
At 6 weeks he was sucking on his hand a lot and I thought he looked like he might nurse afterall, so I tried again, and he did. I had been pumping the whole time though so he was used to the taste, and the supply was there (supply and demand was always a bit off though!).
I know someone who adopted and was able to nurse (if I am remembering correctly!), so I would think that by pumping and nursing you would be able to get your supply going again. A lactation consultant as others mentioned could probably give you tips and insight.
Good luck!
Hi J.,
I think it's great that you'd do this for your baby. I just want to mention that both my kids have acid reflux, which it sounds like your baby could have. For my oldest, my breast milk wasn't helping her - she seemed to have colic in addition to acid reflux, and the colic went away as soon as she got on soy formula. We found out later that she had a very mild allergy to milk, and I myself drink a lot of milk, so I think my milk supply wasn't good for her. My youngest also had acid reflux, but different symptoms so we didn't diagnose it right away. Anyway, she loved breastmilk, and I ended up breastfeeding her far longer than I had planned, but I don't think it helped or hurt her acid reflux. So just want to set your expectations that this may or may not work to solve your baby's problem - but I think it's wonderful you are trying.
Short frequent feedings and or pumpings are the best way to increase your supply. It usually takes as long to get out of a problem as it took to get into one. Goats rue is an herb that can help increase your supply, 1-2 tsp./8oz.boiling water 3-4 times a day. Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle are also good herbs to be used in combination to increase milk supply. 3 caps of each 3X a day. Find a good lactation consultant! Good luck!
I second the suggestion of a lactation consultant -- the hospital you gave birth at or your doctor/midwife may be able to help you get set up with one. You'll want to get as much nursing time with him as possible, but you want to make sure you fix any problems with latch so that you don't have a lot of pain or get an injury. I would also consider taking herbs for increasing supply (see e.g. http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbal_galactag....
If that doesn't work and you want to go more hardcore, you can consider taking domperidone (personally, I would try other routes first, however). See http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/domperidone.shtml. If you want to go this route I would definitely talk to a lactation consultant first, but keep in mind that if you want to get a prescription it can be quite pricey as it's not approved in US. Better to go through international pharmacy such as Inhouse pharmacy.
I can't speak personally about starting again, but good for you for being willing to try again! I used something called APNO (stands for all purpose nipple ointment) for the cracking and bleeding which helped tremendously!!!
I also used a great lactation consultant, they can be invaluablae! Mine was at Harvard Vanguard, Wellesley.
p.s. - I have read about re-lactating, and that it can be done, sorry I don't havae more to offer you - good luck!
Hi J.,
I had to pump thoughout most of the nine months that my son breastfed. I took a supplement called "fenugreek", which helps stimulate milk production. It makes your milk smell like maple syrup, as it is also added to syrup and other foods. You should consult with your doctor if you have any concerns about it.
Good luck!
The best way to get your breastmilk going again is by having him suckle. It is the most efficient way for your body to release the prolactin to signal milk production. A breast pump can do that to some degree, but not to the extent of actual suckling.
I'm not sure if breastmilk will completely resolve his GI issues. If it is a malfunction of some part of the GI system, it may not be related to what he's consuming, but it can't hurt to try breast milk.
It's been a long time since you nursed, so I hope your supply isn't compromised enough to give it a go again.
Good luck. I hope his issues are resolved soon.
I didn't have this problem, but I cannot speak highly enough of lactation care in Newton. They're a little far from you, but totally totally worth it. If anyone can help you, they can. You can find them online and give them a call. Good luck!
