When Is It Too Late For Breastfeeding?

Question

My daughter is now just over 2 months old and I am regretting not breastfeeding her. Is it too late? If not, how do I get my milk back? Please give me some advice...

Answer 1

Never. Even women who have never been pregnant can lactate, but it isn't easy. You should get an IBCLC to help you and LLL too, for support.

To start, try latching your daughter on. You're likely going to need a good electric pump and I would nurse on one side and pump on the other.

Some foods to help are almonds and oatmeal (some say slow cook is better, steel cut). There are others like fenugreek, but I haven't used them.

Answer 2

The only thing you can do is put her to your breast and see if she will nurse. (she may have to get used to it, as bottle nipples are much different than breast nipples) The more she suckles, the more likely it is that you will begin to lactate. However, this will take a great deal of effort on your part. You will have to nurse her EVERY time she needs to eat for a minimum of 10 minutes per side (at least every 2 or 3 hours), then proceed to supplement with a bottle. This is only to stimulate production, which will probably be very minimal, at best, for the first week or so. Don't lose hope, it is possible. You can also try Reglin, (sp?) it's a prescription drug I used to stimulate milk production. Good luck to you. Don't fret, it's not the end of the world if you are unable to restart nursing, and don't beat yourself up about it. She honestly isn't going to suffer for it, formula is a healthy alternative for any baby.

Answer 3

I've answered this once before, so I hope you don't mind if I copy and paste part of the previous answer. You can certainly get your milk back with some hard work and patience. It's NOT TOO LATE. You'll need to get a good quality pump, and start pumping between nursing to get your milk supply back up. You will need to supplement with formula, but do it with a lactation aid (details below). Be proud of yourself, it's hard to relactate, but it can be done.

You should also definitely talk to a lactation consultant. Get in contact with your local la leche league (web address below) or phone the hospital where you gave birth. They will point you in the right direction.

Okay, previous answer follows:

The best thing to do is to put your baby on your breast at every feeding. Get a supplemental nursing system (also known as a lactation aid) from Medela http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/specialtyfdg.html#sns

Basically it's a tube, leading from a bottle to your nipple. As the baby nurses, she also gets formula from the bottle. This way, she associates your breast with food, she doesn't get hungry at the breasts and it will stimulate your breasts to make milk.

Pump in between feedings, as often as possible. As soon as you have a decent supply, you can remove the tube.

http://www.drjacknewman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=87&Itemid=117 (for more about lactation aids, how to use them and increasing your milk supply)

If you can't get a lactation aid (check Dr. Jack Newman's site, you can make your own!), you can just keep putting your baby on your breast and giving her formula after every feeding until you have enough milk.

Remember, keep latching her and keep pumping. Take some galactogogues to increase your milk supply (Fenugreek, Blessed Thistle) or go to the doctor and ask for domperidone.

http://www.drjacknewman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=240

Also go to Dr. Jack Newman's site for lactation help and videos. I've found it very informative and educational

http://www.drjacknewman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=83&Itemid=113

http://www.drjacknewman.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=42

Good luck, with patience and perseverence you can do it. I had the hardest time getting my boy to latch, low milk supply and a lot of other problems. I kept at it, and it pays off in the end.

Contact a la leche league leader in your area(http://www.llli.org).

--------------------------------------------

Even adoptive mothers can breastfeed. There is no reason why you can't get your milk going again.

Good luck hun, and congrats on your decision to relactate.

Oh, forgot to add... to stimulate your 'milk' even more, let your baby comfort nurse. Whenever she seems upset or asks for comfort, put her to your breast, this will also increase your milk production. If she doesn't want to take your nipple at first, use nipple shields, they're more like a bottle nipple and may feel more familiar in her mouth. With time and some patience you can start to nurse without them. Begin by removing them in the middle of the feed and quickly slip your nipple in the baby's mouth. After a while, you'll be able to latch her without the shield.

Answer 4

Talk to a lactation consultant ASAP. But in the mean time breastfeed as much as possible to increase your milk supply.

Answer 5

It would be best to contact a certified lactation consultant or a La Leche League leader to help you out. Here's some information on re-lactation to get you started:

http://llli.org/NB/NBrelactation.html

Answer 6

Talk to the lactation specialists immediately. I breastfed from day 1 and loved every moment. I don't know if it's too late. Good luck!

Answer 7

are yous till producing anything- if so pump pump and put baby to breast contact lll or a lactation consultant

Answer 8

sweetie it's too late b/c if you didn't breastfeed when she was born until she was 1 month old than 9 out of 10 she is use to the bottle. is your milk dried up than I you will not get milk out until you have another child so to answer you yes it's too late.