my baby is almost 5 months can i breastfeed?

Answer 1

I think the main issue isn't so much if you can or are lactating...but if the baby has been breastfeeding or drinking from a bottle??

When a baby is a newborn, it instinctively knows to suckle. True, at times you have to make sure they latch on correctly, but they have the idea of how to place the tongue and how to nurse.

Baby bottle nipples, most of them, and even those that supposedly imitate the breast...can't really replace the feel of the mother's breast. A baby can "forget" how to nurse properly if given a bottle for too long a time period. They forget to place the tongue in the right spot to stimulate milk production mostly because a bottle doesn't need them to suckle the same way. Milk comes out when they suck on the nipple, that doesn't happen with the mother's breast...it has to be drawn out by suckling.

It is nice that you'd like to do this for your baby, but once they've forgotten how to suckle then it's too late. They can't relearn this skill since it's instinctive for a newborn. Just as a newborn will hold it's breath when submerged in water. It's a reaction that they eventually outgrow in time.

If you are lactating, you can still give the milk to your baby and hold him/her close during feedings. It's the eye contact and the comfort and warmth shared that build the bond more so than the feeding. Just be sure you are someplace quiet, away from loud noises and distractions so that your attention and your baby's is on the moment of togetherness and of course talking softly will also stimulate the speech centers.

Now looking at the question from another POV (point of view) if you are STILL breastfeeding at this time and your little one seems to be ok with it then by all means continue. As long as he and you are comfortable with it then go ahead. Now teething and teeth can be tricky, my sister says that when her's bite a quick firm "No" after taking the breast away usually did the trick. But it can be painful so be prepared for it. Also she stopped at 8-81/2 months due to her son being too interested in everything else while feeding. She had to teach him that it was nurse or look around, not both! Finally she nursed him only at night when he wasn't being inquisitive....only sleepy. But he still got milk in a bottle up until 11 months old. Then she ran out..and she moved up to the Carnation Formula. She says it's the gentlest on a baby's tummy.

Good luck and enjoy your little one...

Answer 2

Well, if you haven;t dried up yet, it is possible if you think your infant would take it. Where there health reasons regarding you or your baby that would postpone your breastfeeding? If you are dried up, I believe that you could get hormone shots that would help you develop lactation. I have read of mothers about to adopt small infants and have done such to help bond with the baby and provide it with what they felt better nutrition. Good for you for wanting what is best for your baby too. I would discuss this with your obstetrician or call her nurse. Most staff nurses can get you in touch with their staff lactation nurses in the maternity ward. When you had your baby you should have had some paperwork with information regarding such and most have 24 hour numbers. Good luck, oh and if your baby has trouble latching on you can try a medela breast shield, you can buy them over the counter at a pharmacy, babies r us and even target for about 5 dollars. It is a thin,silicon like material that just sits over your nipple and helps the baby latch on. Another perk to the breast shield if you baby has teeth it acts like a guard and wont hurt you and can prolong the time you can breastfeed your infant. Good luck!

Answer 3

I know that it can be possible, but the baby needs the rich milk the first couple of days after being born. Why now? I have heard that if you have had a baby, that you can have the baby try to nurse or pump very often and you might be able to start your milk to come in. But I heard that takes a lot of dedication and time. After 5 months, just keep doing the bottle thing.

Answer 4

There are drugs available that can induce lactation in non-lactating women and even in men. I personally took more than 5 months to dry up so I imagine that if your doctor is down with it then this might give you a head start. You'll also need an industrial-quality double breast pump (for stimulation and expression of milk, hopefully) and of course your baby is used to bottle-feeding by now. It may take LOTS of encouragement and a lactation specialist to teach him or her how to nurse. The baby may yet refuse even with all the help and encouragement in the world. If you're going to try this I heartily suggest a membership in La Leche League International and lengthy conversations with your child's pediatrician and your OB/GYN.

By the way the one drug I know of is called Domperidone and if prescribed in the USA can be obtained through Canadian mail-order pharmacies.

If you have questions about lactation in men, here is a resource:
http://www.unassistedchildbirth.com/miscarticles/milkmen.html

An article on Domperidone by Dr. Jack Newman:
http://www.bflrc.com/newman/breastfeeding/domperid.htm

Adoptive Breastfeeding Resource Website:
http://fourfriends.com/abrw/

A place that claims Domperidone can be ordered for $5.00:
http://healthcarepharma.com/store/index.php?cPath=57&osCsid=503a5e0eb5e4aabb26f980637f3a69cf

If you are successful at getting your milk started again but your baby won't nurse, breast milk is STILL best! Feed breast milk to your baby in bottles. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 5

The U.S. healthcare expert accepted recommends that little ones be fed with breast milk in basic terms for the 1st six months of existence. this implies no longer giving your toddler the different foodstuff or drink - no longer even water - in this time. Drops of liquid supplements, minerals, and medicines are, of direction, super, as cautioned by your toddler's well being care expert. it is much extra suitable in case you may breastfeed on your toddler's first 365 days or longer, for as long as you the two desire. forged-iron - prosperous ingredients, which includes iron-fortified cereals and pureed vegetables and meats, could be started while your toddler is around six months old. formerly that factor, a toddler's abdomen can not digest them correct. Solids do no longer replace breastfeeding. Breast milk maintains to be the toddler's substantial source of foodstuff in the process the 1st 365 days. previous one 365 days, breast milk can nonetheless be an important area of your youngster's weight loss software.

Answer 6

Contact your local "La Leche Leauge". I know that babies as old as 10 months have started to breastfeed. (lalecheleauge.com) Good luck!

Answer 7

I seriously doubt it, your breasts will only replenish its supply of milk if it has been used and if you haven't used any in 5 months it may be too late, but if you can squeeze them and milk comes out, you may still have a small chance, but it will take a while to build up a supply, Good Luck!

Answer 8

you should have been breast feeding from birth. so yeah if you want to start now you can but whn the teeth come in you can stop and thats not to far away so you may just want to stick to the bottle. and doctors recommend that babies breast feed till 18 months for immunity so hope that helps

Answer 9

You will have to be vigilant about trying to get your milk to come back in, but it will. If you are devoted and dedicated it will happen. Just get a breast pump and start the process.

Answer 10

Yes of course, your baby needs colostrum from from breast milk to build his/her immune system.

Breast milk is still best for baby.