Is it even possible?? Relactation question...?

Question

I have an 11 week old daughter. Due to problems w/ her GI tract, and a lot of visits to children's national hospital she was unable to breast feed and put on nutramigen. Now that her Dr. says she is able to tolerate breast milk (which we didn't think could happen, but happily now can.) I have VERY little milk coming out, but it's still there. I purchased a hospital grade pump. I am unable to pump @ work, but can once in the a.m. and a few times in the p.m. @ home. I tried to get her to latch and she just becomes frustrated due to her beign used to the bottle. I really want to supplement her formula and bring my milk back, but I think it's too late. I can't pump 8x a day, only 4, and she wont latch. If I continue to try to pump like I am doing do I have a chance, or am I wasting my time...

Answer 1

you have to pump whenever possible. a lactation consultant told me every 3-4 hours when i was trying to do this. she also suggested having the baby near when pumping because your thoughts about breastfeeding can help to (with hormones or something)

one thing she recommended was fenugreek herb. it comes in pill form and it is commonly used to bring a milk supply in at times like this. read up on it, it can be found at a local GNC if you decide on using it.

i did this relactation thing and it did work, although my milk supply stopped again when my baby was going through medical tests and i was unable to pump.

Answer 2

It is going to be difficult but it is possible. Is there anyone you can talk to at work about letting you pump at least once a day? When you are at home try latching the baby on when she has already eaten a little and is not as frustrated and looking for instant gratification. Hand express a little milk into her mouth so that she gets the idea that it's there and try to have a lot of skin to skin contact. There is also a feeding system( can't remember the name) where a tube is attached by your nipple and the baby will get the formula from the tube while also stimulating your breast to make milk at the same time and giving the baby the idea of nursing from the breast. There is a lot of great info on Kellymom.com Good luck!

Answer 3

I tried to relactate around that time too. I worked full time and I pumped in the morning, during my lunch break, then when I was home, I would pump every 2-3 hours and every hour on the weekends, even through the night. My supply did increase a bit within a month, but it is tiresome. Try also taking Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle. Take 3 capsules, 3x a day of each. Also drink lots of water. You might want to invest in a Lact-Aid nursing system, which will allow your baby to latch on and receive formula through a tube while also stimulating your breasts to make more milk. This is better than a pump.
Go to kellymom.com and type in relactation in the search engine. It's helpful stuff.
Also consider an LC to help support you adn cheer you on.
I must say though, that you will need to pump much more to get a good supply for your growing child. If you can't commit (I couldn't after being promoted), just be glad that you tried until you were exhausted. It is hard work and good for you for trying. But you're not a failure if you can't do it. My son is formula fed and is happy and healthy.

Answer 4

Try a nipple shield! They're made out of silicone, so it feels more like a bottle nipple. It worked wonders with my daughter who had trouble latching on too, due to nipple confusion. Once she gets the hang of it, you'll be able to quit using it, and your baby will nurse like a pro. And as far as increasing your milk supply, just remember the more you pump (or nurse) the more you'll make. Drink lots, and lots of fluids, too. You may also want to try a health food store, they make a tea called Mother's Milk. (It helps to increase your milk). And start trying to nurse her a little before her normal feeding time. Don't wait until your baby is starving- it will only frustrate her (and you) more. Another idea, if your baby sleeps with you.. Sleep with her, with your top off, when she feels your skin, she may try to latch on in the middle of the night, on her own, it's instinct. -Either way, it's worth a try if you sleep together. Oh, and one more idea, check with your doctor about "Galactagogue"- it's an herbal supplement proven to increase milk supply. It really works! It's not too late, Mom! Don't give up! Good luck! : )

Answer 5

Relactation is possible...You need to also take herbs to increase production as well..Try Mother's Milk Tea from a health food or grocery store..You need to pump frequently..If not at work then when you are home..Introduce the breast when your baby is not hungry or angry. Let her pacify at your breast until she realizes that she can get milk out. Encourge night time feedings and consider using a supplemental nursing system from Medela..Sleep with your baby too..you should be back to nursing in about a week or so..Best of luck and also connect with your local LLL

Answer 6

You can supplement her diet with breast milk, but it wont't be a significant amount. In order to get a really good supply you need to pump very very often and attempt to drain your breasts. Pumping only once in the morning and a bit in the after noon is sporadic at best and not very efficient. You may be able to up your production a bit, but it won't be a lot. It's not entirely wasting your time, as you are trying to do what's best for your daughter, but don't expect spectacular results.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, I think you will have to pump a lot more often to bring our milk back (like every hour or two around the clock - even in the middle of the night). If you are really committed to it, you should talk to a lactation consultant and also consider pumping every hour when you can, even in the middle of the night.

Formula will give your baby the nutrition she needs. Don't feel guilty about this - IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT and your daughter will be healthy and smart being formula fed.

Answer 8

attempt it - there is not any longer any harm in attempting to re lactate - it has really been 6 weeks so that you would possibly want to probable commence off generating some milk precise away, and the better you nurse your infant, the better your provide will advance. the in basic terms snag that I foresee might want to be contained in the adventure that your infant grew to change into hungry and also you position her to the breast, and he or she or he grew to augment into annoyed that there grew to change into no milk. If that takes position, attempt giving her a sleep feed (%. her up and breast feed her without somewhat waking her) - in that problem she may have the means to nurse and your breasts might want to be inspired to furnish better milk. this is by ability of no means too late to objective - in basic terms pop her on there and enable her bypass! sturdy success - regardless of when you're generating really a area of what your infant needs, she may have the means to though be getting those functional anti-bodies out of your milk.

Answer 9

Yes, it is possible.
Take a leave of absence from work and spend a few weeks exclusively breast feeding. It will be worth it to your daughter's health and well being.

Answer 10

in order to bring your milk back you are going to have to pump non stop! (ok not 24 hours but it will seem like you are doing nothing else!)
good luck with it