Is it too late to keep breastfeeding?

Question

My son is 3 months old and I think my milk has dried up, no more leaking and not much comes out when he does try to feed. He gets so frustrated I let him have formula so he won't go hungry, but I know he still wants "me." It also makes me kind of sad that I might not be able to feed him naturally anymore. Is there a way to get it back or are we out of luck?

Answer 1

No, it is *not* too late. You can relactate.

Without knowing more details on why, when, and how you stopped exclusively nursing, it is hard to give specific recommendations, but here are a few ideas at least to get you started.

In order to produce more milk, you have to nurse more often--at *least* 10-12 times in 24 hours. Nursing at night, in particular, will help your supply return. During the day, nurse at least once every 2 hours (timed from the beginning of one feeding to the beginning of the next), or maybe even once every hour and a half. The more often you nurse (even if he isn't getting much--but more on that later), the quicker your supply will return. Frequency matters more than the length of each feeding.

However, keep him nursing as long as possible at each feeding, too. Let him nurse on one breast until he won't nurse there any more. Keep trying to encourage him to continue longer. Then, offer the second breast and do the same. (Note: When breastfeeding is going *well*, it is preferable to let baby decide whether to nurse on one breast or both breasts at each feeding; since you want to get your supply going again, you *really* want him to nurse on both breasts at every feeding.) Offer the first breast again, then the second again. In each case, let him nurse as long as he wants, and encourage even more.

It may not be absolutely necessary, but it will definitely help if you eliminate all artificial nipples--bottles and pacifiers. (Some babies will *never* return to breastfeeding if you don't, but some will. Even in the second case, it's better not to give bottles.) Since you are trying to get baby to nurse more and longer, the best way to give the formula is with a syringe. Buy a syringe in a pharmacy (no needle!!). Any size is fine, but the larger it is, the less frequently you will have to refill. Fill the syringe with the formula, then place it near the corner of your son's mouth while he is nursing. Drip formula into his mouth to encourage him to nurse.

The first day or two, offer just a *little* less formula (about 1/2 ounce per feeding) than he has been getting up to this point. Every few days, you will probably see that you can give a little less (decreasing 1/2 to 1 ounce every 3 days will probably work, but watch the baby, not the numbers). If, at any time, you see that he is *really* hungry, give more formula. A *little* hungry is fine (it will encourage hiim to nurse sooner), but not if he is *really* hungry. You need to feed him above all.

You do *not* need to eat or drink any particular thing or any particular amount. Breastfeeding requires about 300-500 dietary calories per day (the other 200-400 is from fat stores laid down during pregnancy specifically for this purpose), but it *will* come from your body unless you are *seriously* underweight. Drinking more water will *not* increase your milk supply unless you aren't drinking enough now. If you're thirsty, drink; otherwise, you don't need to (it won't help, and *could* actually decrease your supply).

Do not pump. A nursing baby is more effective than *any* pump. Any time you are thinking of pumping, pick up the baby instead. And if you *do* pump, the only pump that will be effective enough is a hospital-grade rental pump that can pump on both breasts at the same time. A manual pump won't help you in your specific situation; they are intended for a woman with a full milk supply who needs to pump once a week.

Don't bother with a nursing supplementer (Supplemental Nursing System, for instance). For short term use, a syringe is more effective and a whole lot cheaper!! A supplementer is good for a woman who is nursing an adoptive baby.

If the above frequent nursing doesn't help, you can try a galactagogue--a substance that makes your body produce more milk. Galactagogues will only work if you are *also* nursing at least 10-12 times a day, so try that first. The most common herbal galactagogue (and the only one with any research showing its effectiveness) is fenugreek. If you want to try it, first nurse frequently for at least several days (as above). Take 1 fenugreek capsule 3 times a day for 3-4 days, then increase to 2 capsules a day for the next few days. Keep increasing until you are taking an effective dose for you (usually 2-4 capsules per dose); you will recognize this when your urine and sweat have a maple syrup smell. Continue at that dose until baby is fully breastfed.

Another option is a medical galactagogue. The two most common ones in use today are domperidone (Motilium) and metoclopramide (Reglan). Metoclopramide is widely available in the US, but it has more side effects for the mother (no reports of side effects in the baby) including sedation, depression, and stomach upsets. Domperidone is only available from foreign pharmacies (easily available online) or through a compounding pharmacy in the US. It is sold in most countries outside the US. There is no evidence of side effects to the mother at doses used to increase milk supply (10-20 mg., 3-4 times a day), and none to the baby at *any* dose.

For more help, please contact your local La Leche League Leader (see sources section below). Keep in mind that all Leaders are volunteers working from their own homes while taking care of their own children. If you don't get through to someone on the first try, call another Leader or try again. Their services are completely free, but they would appreciate it if you would make a donation (of any amount) to the organization.

Answer 2

Contact your local LaLecheLeague. A leader can help you, they are a GREAT resource.

I would say the fact that you are feeding formula can be a big part of your current situation. See, it is a vicious cycle. You don't produce enough milk, so you give a bottle, so your body responds by not producing enough milk, so you give another bottle......and then WALAH...you have weaned your baby.

You need to have the baby at the breast as much as possible!
Call your local hospital, talk to the Lactation Consultant. If you think your milk is quite dried out, ask for a "Supplemental nursing system". it is a bottle (filled with formula or pumped milk) you wear around your neck, with very thin tubing that you tape to your breast. The end of the tube goes into the baby's mouth at the breast...thereby stimulating milk production, and getting baby the formula until the natural milk supply is built up.
But the key is having the baby back at the breast as much as possible, as soon as possible. Nothing, not any kind of man-made pump can stimulate milk production in the breast like the baby suckling does.

Keep at it, Breastfeeding is the BEST! No formula will ever be as complete, or as healthy for your baby.

Answer 3

I was having a problem with supply around then too. Pump in between feedings to get your supply up. You have stopped leaking because your breasts have regulated and are only holding what the baby needs. It is supply and demand with them. Also...I found that drinking a dark beer increases your milk about an hour or two after. Back in the day it was actually recommended..lol. You have to try and relax also so your breasts will have let down. That is when your brain is signaled to release the milk from your milk ducts. Another thing you must do is nurse the baby b4 he gets too hungry. Try to catch him before he usually feeds. That way he won't be too hungry and get frustrated. It is very hard I know...I ended up pumping for mine because he had nipple rejection too around that age. They prefer the bottle cuz it is easier. Don't give up!!!

Answer 4

Milk production is based on supply and demand so you'll always have enough for baby, unless: you regularly supplement with formula, or you miss feeding and go for very long stretches of time without nursing. If you do any of these, then yes.. your milk production will go down.

The best thing to do is nurse frequently. If your baby doesn't seem to get enough, then offer the breast an hour or 2 later. Do this frequently and see if your milk goes up. Do not get caught into supplementing with formula especially since your goal is to increase your milk.

You may also want to pump. Pump in between your baby's feedings, and things should look up. Also, make sure you get plenty plenty of fluids in you. Water is best. Every time you nurse, have a glass or two of water. Get plenty of rest!

Answer 5

Honey... breastfeeding ur baby is really important..atleast till he's a year old or 10 months. If u r not making enough milk u take some medication which will help u produce enough milk.
Some home made remedies include having Dill leaves/seeds, fennel seeds in which ever way u feel comfortable. Having plenty of liquids.
Why don't u make an appointment with ur Gyno to precribe u a gud lactation medication??

Answer 6

There's a drug called Domperidone that will increase your milk. It's harmless to the baby and is available by perscription. It's normal for you stop leaking once breastfeeding as been established. I would encourage you to allow him to nurse as much and for as long as he wants. This will keep your milk going. Always breastfeed first, then top him up with a bottle if he wants more. Hopefully you'll be able to stop the bottle eventually. There are natural ways to increase your milk as well. Eating oatmeal, and drinking fennel seed tea are supposed to help. Inbetween feedings stimulate your nipples yourself. This tells your body that it's feeding time, and will cause your milk to let down. The more your body thinks that it needs, the more it will make. Let him suckle as long as he wants, this causes the milk to let down again. Most feedings have between 4-6 letdowns. I hope this helps, and don't give up.

Answer 7

Are you eating enough? You need about 1500 more calories a day when breast feeding. Are your worried? stressed? That could affect your milk. But usually it's supply and demand. You will produce the milk your baby needs, unless he's getting his milk someplace else. The baby has to work harder to breast feed, milk comes out of a bottle easier. But it sounds more like something else has happened. Contact the LaLeche league...they're experts. Good luck!

Answer 8

Try using a breast pump to get your milk supply back up. If you pump a few times and don't get anything then it may be too late. If you just get a little out each time then pump more often(about every 30 minutes.) Make sure you are eating enough. If you still need help talk to a lactation consultant.

Answer 9

Keep trying make sure you are eating enough and definitely drinking enough water. Also try pumping to increase the amount of milk you produce. Good luck.

Answer 10

The more you nurse him the more you will produce. If you are drying up then also try pumping your milk supply will come back. If this does not work contact a lactation consultant. Your baby's pediatrician can recommend one.

Answer 11

do you have a breast pump? a manual one is fairly cheap. u need to stimulate the glands to produce milk. try that for a few days a few times a day. your body will only produce enough to meet the baby's needs so if he's not sucking, they'll stop producing. good luck