This may sound a bit crazy but it's worth a shot. My son is a little over 2 months old. I won't get into detail to make this as short as possible, but due to a traumatic delivery and lack of trying hard enough on my part, I did not establish breastfeeding when he was born. I pumped my milk for 2 or 3 weeks and then switched exclusively to formula. I VERY BADLY wish that I tried harder to nurse my son and just heard tonight that it's not unheard of to still breastfeed. However, I just tried pumping my breasts (I have a good medela pump) for a few minutes and nothing came out. Does this mean my milk is completley gone? Does it take a little while to get them stimulated and possibly get some milk back little by little or is it impossible? I know I'll need the help of an LC but just thought i'd ask if it's even possible first. ANY help or info would be greatly appreciated!
2007-10-27 12:56:31 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Basically I would say it is never too late to produce breastmilk as adoptive mothers can frequently induce lactation even if they were never pregnant.
However the best chances of getting the baby back to breast in addition to breastfeeding are before the baby is 4 months, so you are far away from being past that point. However I would always say it is worth the attempt to get the baby back to breast even if the "baby" is 2 years old.
There are basically three things you can do to make milk:
-Nipple stimulation -LOTS OF IT. Also being with a baby can help (not a problem for you I am sure)
-Herbs
-Prescription drugs. However if you are in the US you should be aware that the prescription drug of choice is Reglan which carries a high risk of causing depression and should not be given to anyone who is or has ever been depressed.
There is a tonne of info here:
Adoptive Breastfeeding & Relactation
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/adopt/index.html
And of course La Leche League is always free:
International: http://www.llli.org/webindex.html
USA: 1-877-4-LALECHE
2007-10-27 13:15:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 10⤊ 0⤋
The term you want to Google is "relactation."
http://kellymom.com/ and http://drjacknewman.com/ should be helpful.
Pumps suck -- in the wrong sense -- compared to babies. I'd look into a "supplemental nursing system," for a start. Picture and wee explanation here:
http://www.selfexpressions.com/supnursys.html
La Leche League page on relactation:
http://www.llli.org/NB/NBrelactation.html
I'd also try: cuddling with your baby, reading sad stories about babies (er -- no, really; give it a try -- any sick-baby tearjerker news story will do), and having a hot relaxing bath or shower before pumping; any or all of those tend to help with let-down.
There is an article in the latest issue of "Mothering" magazine that discusses nursing in emergency situations (Katrina-style disasters &c); it claims that if you gave birth within the last six months, you can relactate fairly easily. I don't know where they got the six months from, but. Mothers do breastfeed adopted children; anything is possible. Given that it's been less than two months since you last had milk, it should be eminently do-able. Good luck.
2007-10-27 13:02:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 13⤊ 1⤋
Totally possible. Your LC will help you decide on the best solution, but I agree that she'll probably set you up with a supplementer and send you to the doctor for a prescription of Reglan.
I'm also a big fan of visualization when it comes to milk production. I picture fountains of milk flowing and happy, chubby babies with dimples everywhere. Cheesy, but it really works!
2007-10-27 14:09:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No you can still breast feed. You'll need to pump ALL THE TIME atleast every 20-30 minutes for the first while, and stimulate your nipples as often as possible. Encourage your baby to try latching on whenever you can.
You can actually buy these little tubes and bottles that clip to your shoulder, the tube runs down along your boob so baby can nurse off your nipple, but get the formula from the bottle. Talk to your LC about one. You can actually buy them from the medela company. Theyre tricky to use, but the stimulation and the suction your son provides will be MUCH better than the pump.
I'll see if i can find a link for you. -nevermind the girl above me gave you one.
2007-10-27 13:04:50 · answer #4 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 9⤊ 1⤋
you got some really great answers here and i hope you see the possibility of making it work. there are adoptive moms out there who have never even had biological babies and manage to do it. you can too! it's a great experience and i hope it all works out for you. if you can't relactate, formula isn't the end of the world, obviously, but kuddos to you for trying. you won't regret it!!
2007-10-27 14:06:13 · answer #5 · answered by northern_muse 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, the milk is always there. You should try and put the baby up to your breast to let the milk come down. You could use a breast pump or try to do it manually. Don't give up the milk is still there!!!
2007-10-27 13:18:47 · answer #6 · answered by mizzpretti 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
It's NOT impossible! It doesn't mean anything if you got nothing from your pump; some women can't even let-down with them! Nurse your baby very often, between feedings if you don't get any at first, and you should start lactating agin and building your supply!
You can also try the fenugreek tea along with the nursing. The baby nursing sends a signal to your body to produce milk.
Good luck!
2007-10-27 13:01:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 4⤋
You might be able to get your supply back up.
Try this website
http://kellymom.com/
It answers all of your breastfeeding questions
2007-10-27 13:44:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
--->> Tips---> https://trimurl.im/h14/when-is-it-too-late-to-breastfeed
2015-08-04 23:06:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
After Midnite ...... and keep them away from water and bright lights ......
2007-10-27 13:52:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋