can i start up breastfeeding after 20 days of not?

Question

I was just wondering if this was possible at all? I would like to, but its been 2 months since I had my baby. I breastfed him until he is 40 days that was it. cuz my milk became very little so i stopped,i hope i didn't. I had breastfed my daughter before that for a 10 months.so i just want to know if it's possible to start up again and how? .... Thanks

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible!

Start with the pump, pumping about every half hour for ten minutes a breast. If you don't get any milk after 24 hours, then your chances are slim, but if you are getting even drops, keep on going. Put your baby to the breast before the bottle when he's really hungry, and will suckle harder.

If you get started and still have problems producing, see a lactation consultant. Some hospitals and family planning clinics have them. Or if your baby has a doc that specializes in newborns, talk to him or her. There are hormones they can give you to increase your milk production, and a professional will be able to answer all your questions and discuss all your concerns.

Answer 2

YES!
It is possible to start up again. I'd suggest you contact a La Leche League Leader or a Lactation Consultant to talk about relactation. A LLL Leader will help you for FREE.

Basically, it's all about supply and demand. You need to stimulate your breasts to make milk, either by baby nursing or by pumping. See if baby will latch on to start with. Talk to the LLL Ladies or the LC about getting a supplemental nursing system (SNS) so baby can receive supplemental milk while still nursing at the breast to stimulate your supply.

Women who adopt and have never even been PG can induce lactation. Since you've had a baby in the past few months, that ups your chances of being successful at relactation.

Answer 3

Yes it is possible. The more your baby suckles or you pump the more milk you will (most likely) make.

There are also prescription drugs and herbs that may help.

Contact your local La Leche League Leader www.llli.org or hire a lactation consultant.

----------
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/relactation.html


Relactation and Adoptive Breastfeeding: The Basics
By Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC

Relactation or induced lactation (for those who did not give birth to their baby) is essentially a two-fold process:

You will be teaching (or re-teaching) baby to nurse at the breast, and to equate nursing with comfort. If you're having problems getting baby to nurse, see Help -- My Baby Won't Nurse!
At the same time you will be developing (or re-developing) a milk supply. Developing a milk supply requires nipple stimulation (via baby nursing, hand expression, pumping or a combination) and milk removal (once there is milk to remove). If your baby will nurse, regular and frequent nursing sessions (even if baby is just learning in the beginning) will be very helpful.

If your baby is 4 months old or younger it will generally be easier to relactate. It will also be easier if your milk supply was well established (frequent and effective nursing and/or pumping) during the first 4-6 weeks postpartum. However, moms with older babies, moms who did not establish a good milk supply in the beginning, and adoptive moms who have never breastfed can also get good results. Keep in mind that breastfeeding is not just about the milk. Your child will get numerous benefits from breastfeeding even if you do not have a full milk supply.

If baby is willing to latch on, then nurse often (at least every 2-3 hours). Also, offer baby the breast for comfort any time you see a chance- at the end of a feeding when he is not hungry, when he is going to sleep and just waking up, and whenever he needs to comfort suck. Even if baby is not getting any milk at first, the nursing will be signaling your breasts to make milk.

What if baby will not latch? Keep working at it - some babies have gone back to the breast after many months of bottle feeding. Even if you are not able to persuade baby to latch, you have the option of re-establishing your milk supply via pumping and giving baby your milk via bottle or cup (this is called exclusive pumping).

If baby is not nursing well (or not yet latching at all), pumping will make a big difference in increasing your milk supply. Even if baby appears to be nursing well, additional pumping will speed up the relactation process. See Establishing and maintaining milk supply when baby is not nursing for more information.

You will also want to take a look at Hidden Hindrances to a Healthy Milk Supply to see if there are any factors that may compromise your milk supply.

Consider giving your baby his feedings via an alternative feeding method (rather than a bottle), such as a nursing supplementer, feeding syringe, finger feeding setup, flexible cup, spoon, medicine/eye dropper, etc. If your baby is latching well, a nursing supplementer can be a big help: it will encourage your baby to nurse at your breast by giving him a constant flow of milk (expressed milk and/or formula) while he stimulates your breasts to produce more milk. Read more about nursing supplementers in Notes from "Induced Lactation and Adoptive Nursing".

Some mothers use herbal supplements, such as fenugreek or blessed thistle, to stimulate milk production. You can usually buy these at health food stores or herb shops and occasionally at some large supermarkets or pharmacies. For more information see What is a galactagogue? Do I need one? ...Herbal remedies for increasing milk supply. There are also several prescription medications that increase milk supply. These herbal and pharmaceutical methods for stimulating milk supply will not be particularly effective unless combined with frequent nursing and/or pumping.

Finally, get in touch with a La Leche League Leader or Lactation Consultant/IBCLC (in person if at all possible) who has experience with relactation. It's great to have one-on-one support as you work through this.

For addional information, see:

Adoptive Breastfeeding & Relactation
Relactation and Induced Lactation Resources
Page last modified: 10/10/2005
Written: 02/19/1999

Answer 4

Try pumping, pumping, pumping. If your milk comes back though, he may not latch on. But as long as you're pumping put it in a bottle. It never hurts to pump while breast feeding. Your body thinks there is an increased demand, so it increases supply.

Answer 5

Once you stop your milk starts to dry up. And if thats the reason you had to stop then i doubt you will be able to start again. Especially since she has been on the bottle so long, its harder work for them to get it out of your breast and your baby probably wont want to try it...she'll just want the bottle

Answer 6

You probally wont get any significant supply of milk, But you could try it for bonding. Or just bottlefeed with baby against your skin.

If you try you could try some of the herbs or hormonal therapy from the doc (but it probally wont add much milk, I had low mild supply with my first and nothing seemd to boost it much)

Answer 7

If you can get your milk flow back then yes...but if its dried up then its a little late. You can get medication from your Dr to help with milk flow.

Answer 8

yes you can. as a lactation consultant. i always say for every day you did not breast feed that is a the amount of days you need to breastfeed to get a good flow back.