my baby has severe food allergies and has been on 4 different formulas and none seem to work...............i was wondering if there is any way i could get my breastmilk to come back since my baby is alredy six weeks old?????????????
2006-10-12 13:00:17 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It IS possible to relactate, but it's going to be hard since you weren't trying to establish your milk supply the first few weeks of your baby's life.
Some women swear by dietary supplements like fenugreek that you can get a GNC stores and other health food stores.
The most important things are to get your baby to learn to suckle from your breasts, to stay latched, and nurse as often as possible. Good luck, it's going to require alot of patience, determination and support.
2006-10-12 13:18:56 · answer #1 · answered by caliorchid 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well...foods that you eat will come out in the breastmilk too. Do you know what allergies baby has? Are you certain it is allergies? Alimentum and Nutramigen are the allergy-specific formulas.
You can definitely relactate. Your biggest hurdle will be getting baby to learn how to latch to your breast. You will need to nurse or pump every 1-2 hrs during the day, 10-15 minutes each time. Then, you can give baby a little formula afterward, bc he will still be hungry in the beginning. Invest in some lanolin (Medela or Lansinoh) and apply to your nipples frequently (6 times a day or so), you do not need to wash off to nurse.
I would also suggest you get with a lactation consultant, bc relactation can be difficult and complicated. That will make you more successful and more comfortable.
You can also visit http://community.pregnancyweekly.com/forums
for a breastfeeding message board where you can ask questions to ladies who have been through this stuff many times before. Good luck!
2006-10-12 13:07:12 · answer #2 · answered by Wicked Chicken! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES! Start now by putting baby to the breast. You may find that baby still has sensitivities to breastmilk, it's not the breastmilk itself it's food that comes through your breastmilk (dairy is the biggest culprit). But you may not have to give any foods up, most breastfeeding moms don't, only those who have babies with severe allergies need to go on elimination diets.
My friend relactated and here's what she did: She tossed all bottles and only fed baby at the breast. She used a supplemental nursing system filled with formula and gradually weaned off the forumla and eventually gained a full supply back. She also used herbs to increase her milk supply. She would pump after nursing to increase breast stimulation (therefore increasing production)
At 6 weeks your body still has pregnancy hormones and should easily be able to produce milk again. Please check my link for more information on relactation. GL!
2006-10-12 13:55:50 · answer #3 · answered by I ♥ EC 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to find a lactation specialist to help you. Call your doctor and ask if they can refer someone. Or if you have a local le leche league,contact them. I know that it is not too late to stimulate your breast milk. There are also devices you can get that you wear. They are tubes that hook to the bottle. You wear the bottle around your neck and the tubes come up over your shoulder and you place them so they are in line with your nipples. The baby sucks the nipple which causes the milk to come through the tube. So, the baby is still getting fed but at the same time is stimulating your breast which will begin to produce your milk.
It is not too late. Exhaust all resources before you give up. Good luck!
2006-10-12 13:10:45 · answer #4 · answered by Amelia 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can. you will need to contact a lactation consultant,. It would help if she is familur with relactation. It will some comitment from you. You will need to rent or buy a good double pump and start pumping. You will also need to get a feeder that will provide nutrients to the baby while you nurse. It may take six weeks or more to get your supply up. Just be patient and talk to your lactation consultant. She will be a lifesaver to you. Good luck and don;t give up.
2006-10-12 15:23:08 · answer #5 · answered by mktk401 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's possible, you may still be producing milk, just not too much.. but you REALLY need to work at it.
every time you go to feed, put him to the breast first, he'll get some, nurse for about 10min each side (if you can) and then give him formula after wards (you will need to supplement somehow until your milk comes back)
anytime he wants to suck, put him to the breast. and so on...the more stimulation the better. even you can massage them to encourage the milk.
Drink LOTS of fluids, and keep up a healthy diet. no empty calorie and such, avoid caffeine if you can. and relax. stress will also discourage the milk supply.
worse comes to worse, you can speak to your pediatrician or your OB, and there is medicine to help speed things along.
GOOD LUCK! ;-)
2006-10-12 13:05:28 · answer #6 · answered by graphixgirlin06 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think there may be a possibility--at least in theory, if you were to take some hormonal drugs and try to nurse your baby all the time. But the hardest thing may be getting your baby to breastfeed, if he or she is already used to a bottle. I guess you could pump, though. I'd call your baby's doctor. There is also the possibility that you could find another nursing mom who can pump extra milk to give to your baby. I think there are organizations like La Leche League that try to do that sort of thing. Best of luck to you!
2006-10-12 14:10:15 · answer #7 · answered by littlenicky 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes there is! Stimulate the breast with warm compresses and massage them to get the milk going. Also buy or use your breast pump to begin stimulation. It may take a few days or even a week or two, but it is possible. It worked with me. Best of luck!
2006-10-12 13:26:35 · answer #8 · answered by d4cav_dragoons_wife84 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! If you contact your local LaLecheLeauge.com they can help you. They have helped mothers who adopt babies as old as 10 months to breastfeed. Another thing you may want to try is goats milk. It is the closest thing to human milk there is. I've heard of plenty of babies who have grown up on it. But I'd speak with your doctor first. Start pumping ASAP! Good luck!
2006-10-12 13:23:37 · answer #9 · answered by Melissa, That's me! 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its not too late! Try to get her to latch when she is sleepy and hungry, but not starving! Pump on the side she's not nursing on and pump in between. Google a tincture called "more milk plus" and buy some. Try Kellymom.com to read up on relactation.
Good luck. And remember to give it several weeks to get it right!
2006-10-12 13:14:54 · answer #10 · answered by Terrible Threes 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋