I stopped breastfeeding my son when he was 4 weeks old bc his doctor suggested he had a sensitivity to lactose. After a couple of bad visits we switched doctors and were told that regular formula/breastmilk would have been alright this whole time. I know it would be confusing for him to latch on again, but I would like to pump breast milk for him to drink from a bottle, even if it is just a couple of ounces mixed with formula. My breast still leak every now and then, and if they are squeezed milk is expressed. Do you think it is possible to pump again after all this time?
2006-10-27 17:10:39 · 19 answers · asked by Kate R 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Give it a whirl. It's all supply and demand... the more you pump the more you'll make, so if there's still anything in there it should be possible to build up your milk supply again. (I've read that some mom's can still hand express a few drops of milk for MONTHS after they wean their babies.)
Pumping exclusively though can be tough. A baby is WAY more efficient at getting milk out of a breast than a pump is. Many people seem to say that by exclusively pumping their milk supply diminishes over time. Make sure you have a good pump and use it as often as you can. (You may have to pump every couple hours for a few days to get things going again.) Try the baby on the breast too, you may be pleasantly surprised!!
When I pumped a bottle a day early on I'd use every trick I could to get my milk flowing. Quiet, comfy environment, drink a big glass of water while I did it, look at a picture of the baby to stimulate milk let-down, use massage and breast compressions to increase flow.
A friend of mine that had a baby two days after I did couldn't BF her baby right away. Because of a medical condition she didn't have much milk come in for a few weeks. Eventually though over a few weeks she built her supply up so that she could breastfeed and she got back to the point that she actually stopped using formula for several months!! (Our babies are now 11-months old and she's now 4 months pregnant again and found it too exhausting so she's gone back to formula part time.)
I think she may have been taking a herbal supplement too that's supposed to help with this... (fenugreek or domperidone? There's also something called "Mother's Milk Tea"...) I don't know much about these, but they may be worth looking in to. Your doctor or a lactation consultant (through your hospital or local public health clinic) can likely tell you more about options that will help boost milk production.
Don't get discouraged too easily. Any amount of breast milk that you can give your baby is a good thing. It changes daily to meet baby's nutritional needs so once you're re-established the quality of your milk will be perfect for your baby. Sorry about the not so hot advice from your original doctor. Kudos to you for taking on this challenge and trying again!! I hope you can make it work!!
Good luck!
2006-10-27 20:09:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got mine back when my first son was 5 months and I got it back when my second son was 4 months old. I also breastfed them both exclusively. I'm not sure how long it will take for your period to return though. It depends on the person. You can go up to a whole year without a period if you breastfeed full time. I think most women do get it back by about 6 months though. If you really want to try again this summer and haven't got your period yet, then I would say to maybe cut down on breastfeeding, but you don't want to completely quit breastfeeding if at all possible because its so good for you and the baby. There are tremendous health benefits and the longer you breastfeed, the better you and the baby benefit from it. By this summer, your baby will be about 7 months old and he/she will probably be on baby food and you won't be breastfeeding nearly as much because the baby will need to be getting nutrients from solids along with breast milk so you're likely to start your period at least by the time the baby begins breast feeding a little less and eating more solids.
2016-05-22 02:23:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try but your breast milk usually dries up if you don't feed. Your breasts have a supply and demand thing if your baby is more hungry they make more milk if you don't feed that often the supply become less.
Try with a breast pump and see if it works to get some out as it is a lot easier than expressing by hand.
You could even try to build up your supply by expressing often and more regularly.
Breast milk is best for your baby and if you can get some out that would be great for your baby. If you have to use formula it is still alright don't stress yourself about it. Good luck!!
2006-10-27 18:02:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not for sure that this would be able to sustain him but you may be able to build up a supply again based on the supply and demad theory of breast feeding. There are devices which hang around your neck and a tube feeds formula through while he's still nursing so you know he's getting enough nourishment while you try to increase your mild supply. Also, last resort measure. Your doctor can prescribe a nasal spray that is supposed to induce lactation. Good for you for trying to give it another go. He'll be better off in the long run. Good Luck
2006-10-27 17:15:43 · answer #4 · answered by sixcannonballs 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you are still leaking, that is wonderful. You can still pump and if you would like you can still latch the baby. Ask to speak with a lactation consultant.
Your pediatrician, La Leche League or the WIC program can get you lots of valuable information and support to continue breastfeeding.
You will probably need a hospital grade pump to get your supply going again.
Any breast milk is beneficial so I commend you for your efforts!!!
Good Luck!
Here are two wonderful websites!
http://www.lalecheleague.org/
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/
2006-10-28 04:40:00 · answer #5 · answered by jns 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For sure. I am surprised you are still leaking. I would definitely try to just breastfeed and give him formula to compensate for breast milk until your supply is back to normal. It would be better for him and cheaper for you. I am not an authority, but that would be ideal if it would work. It seems like so many doctors do not genuinely care about their patients, that is very sad that your son's first doctor discouraged you from breastfeeding:( Sorry
2006-10-27 17:20:09 · answer #6 · answered by Baby Ruth 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely you can! A friend of mine was not only able to get her baby back on the breast, but she was also able to build up a full milk supply and nurse for 2 years after completely drying up after surgery. Just start pumping and see what happens.
2006-10-27 17:31:48 · answer #7 · answered by I ♥ EC 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it can usually be done. It will take time to get your supply to meet his needs. But if you can get him to latch on & suckle (even if he gets no milk, just suck) a few times a day for 10 15 min your milk will come in much faster. If you opt to express keep a picture of your son w/ you to look at or express after he has just cried your body somehow responds to the sight & crying of your baby. Good Luck, way to go on nursing.
2006-10-27 17:15:17 · answer #8 · answered by notAminiVANmama 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are still producing milk, yes you can return to breastfeeding and he will latch on. Just depends if you can handle it. The power of his jaws are stronger and so he can latch harder. If you want to pump that will be fine. He will be fine with it. Much better than the formula.
2006-10-27 17:21:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course you can it will just take time to build your milk back up and the baby might even take the breast. Try my son is lactose intolarant and I miss the bond we had when I breastfeed which was for the first 3mo. I just thought this was my 3rd and he was colic
2006-10-27 18:04:50 · answer #10 · answered by pebbleap 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋