To late to breastfeed?

Question

When son was born my milk wasn't coming in and 3 days later I had to stop because he was losing weight and was feeding for hours and not being satisfied. 3 weeks later and I was in shower and milk was basically pouring out, can I attempt breastfeeding again or is it to late?

Answer 1

You can try it if the milk pouring out was recently. The reason for the milk pouring out was probably because the milk had been beginning to dry and clot up. When you got into the shower it probably became more moist and began flowing out. You really need to be on a schedule with breastfeeding, because if you don't do it once during the morning for two days and then try it at night it won't work. I hope it works out for you and you can continue, but if you can't don't be hard on yourself. Atleast you tried, and I'm sure your baby will do fine without the breast milk.

Answer 2

You can still breastfeed now. Since you gave birth you body is ready to breastfeed as it was made to do.
The greatest fallacy about breastfeeding is when nurses, doctors, or friends or family tell you the baby is not healthy and you must stop feeding. Nonsence. All women are made to breastfeed.

After birth a baby will normally lose some weight and it has nothing to do with his diet. Also, just because a newborn cries it does not mean he is unsatisfied. You have to keep at it. The more he nurses the more milk you get. The only time a baby would have a problem with your milk is if you have health problems or your diet is terrible and can not produce nutritious milk. But you would have had to have a bad diet for a long long time for this to happen. Why? Because nature has it where the breast milk will pull nutients from the mothers body to nourish the baby. So the baby will still be fit but the mother will suffer the losses.

You can still breastfeed. But it may be a bit harder if the baby has been on a bottle a week or more because they get accustomed to the bottle. A bottle takes a different type of sucking than when a baby nurses from the breast. It is easier. Therefore, the babies mind wants the easier way to get the milk and they lose the natural breast sucking motion.
You need to start now. Cut out half the feedings and replace with breast. Inbetween you need to pump your breast to keep the milk production. You can throw way this milk or freeze it for when you need it. The more you pump the more you will produce. Keep adding more breast feedings until the baby is back on the breast full-time. Dont give up. It is much easier to give up as this will not be easy. But your baby gets healthy antibodies from your milk and it make for a healthier baby and child.
And it is an experience that all mothers should have as you bond closly with your baby and you will get back in shape easier. While you breastfeed you are heavier since you are full of fluid and water to make milk but I guarantee you will lose more faster when the breastfeeding is complete.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Begining breastfeeding any time up to three months has a reasonable amount of success.

Also, just for future information, it is not a big deal for your milk to not come in until 5 days or even longer. Feeding for hours can be a sign of a lot of things.

Your best bet is to see a lactation consultant to make sure that he is latching well as this will help increase your supply and prevent pain.

You can also contact your local La Leche League for help, this is a volunteer group so it is free. http://www.llli.org

If you can't do either of those things, look at a lot of websites about nursing to make sure your son is latching on well, and just keep offering him the breast. AT LEAST every 2 hours for the first while. Any suckling will increase your supply.

Renting a hospital grade pump would also help your supply if you pump between feedings.

This may sound like a lot of work, but it is worth it. And if you stick with it it will work.

There are also some herbs you can take to increse your supply.
http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbal_galactagogue.html

Good Luck!

Answer 4

NO!! IT IS NOT TOO LATE!!!!

How wonderful that you have made the decision to breastfeed!! Mother who adopt can breastfeed their adopted baby, you certianly can breastfeed a 3 week old you gave birth to!

You can do this mom. It might not be easy, but with support you CAN DO THIS!! And give your baby the gift of the many benefits of brestfeeding!

1st a see Lactation Consultant or a La Leche League Leader? (A LLL Leader will help for FREE and might be able to visit you at home.) WWW.LLL.ORG to find a LLL near you (in the US) go to http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html You can go to a meeting or just call a LLL leader ont he phone!

Get advice from other breastfeeding mom at the LLL forums http://forums.llli.org/index.php
There is a relactation board at http://forums.llli.org/forumdisplay.php?f=50 where you can talk with other moms for encouragement and support.

There is a term specifically for this issue it is called relactation in case you want to do your own research.

Getting your baby back to the breast takes patience and persistence. If a newborn is not latching on to the breast, you need to begin expressing colostrum within the first few hours after birth. You may be comfortable using hand-expression (Learn how to do it at this website:http://www.lactationinstitute.org/MANUALEX.html
) or you may prefer to use a pump. Note that colostrum is produced in small amounts but even the smallest quantity should be saved and given to the baby by spoon, dropper, or feeding syringe. As long as the baby is not latching on, it is important to express regularly in order to avoid becoming engorged and to keep up (or build up) your milk supply for when he does begin to nurse effectively. Engorgement will make it even more difficult for the baby to latch on effectively. It is equally important for the baby to be fed. If the baby goes too long without eating, he could become dehydrated or too weak to attempt to latch on. Before the baby has learned to latch on to the breast, artificial nipples should be avoided so the baby does not become accustomed to using incorrect sucking patterns.

You wil find these pages helpful:
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBJulAug01p136.html
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBNovDec00p208.html
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBMarApr94p43.html
http://www.llli.org/FAQ/relactation.html

Please contact me at [e-mail] if you have any more question about nipple confussion, supply issues, latch issues, ect

Answer 5

Most definitely try it! You should talk to a LLL leader in your area and get help.

1. Try actually breastfeeding and see how it goes. It is likely that the baby will take it because he has nursed before.

2. You can also pump and give the baby pumped milk.

Breastmilk is free, and it is the best food designed for a newborn. If you have milk, use it - either nurse or pump and give it to the baby.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Absolutely!!! Don't waste all that wonderful milk!
You may have trouble getting him to latch on, since he is used to the bottle.
Offer the breast first, when he's good and hungry, and be patient. Keep trying, even if he fusses a little.
After he nurses, you will still need to give the bottle for at least a few days, until your milk supply is re-established. You can help to increase it by pumping a little in between feedings, just for the stimulation.
Call La Leche League for help.
Good luck!
Sherry

Answer 7

You should definitely try to breastfeed :) A mother's milk supply usually comes in a few days after birth, but it can take a few weeks. Good luck with everything :)

Answer 8

Yes... if your body is still producing something you can pick it up again. He may not be fully satisfied at first but your body will adjust to how much he needs. Breast milk is the best and cheapest. Give it a try.

Answer 9

If your milk finally came in then you should DEFINATELY try breast feeding.. as long as there's milk then it's never too late! Feel blessed!

That will help you shed some extra pounds too! Be sure to feed or pump consistantly though to keep your milk production up.

Answer 10

Please do not listen to Brittany who studied this in high school. I have 4 and breastfed all of them. People often have a late onset of milk and it is perfectly fine to feed the baby. Good luck to you both. Remember to keep latctation up you have to empty the breast to make more milk.