Is it too late to re-lactate?

Question

My son is 6 weeks old and will be 7 weeks old on Tuesday. I breastfed him for the first 2 weeks and had big problems the whole time. I could never get him to latch properly even with the help of a lactation consultant. I had major tearing during his delivery and was in a ton of pain even when on medication which didn't help things. I tried so hard to do this and I even tried to pump and give him a bottle but I just couldn't get anything out with the pump and my milk started dying up, so we gave him some formula because he screamed non stop from being hungry and he was losing weight and had jaundice which made him very weak. He's been on nothing but formula since 2 weeks and he's very strong and healthy.

I was wondering if it would be too late to re-lactate and breastfeed? I know the breastmilk would be the best for him and I feel so guilty for not breastfeeding. I feel like I gave up too soon, and I know this sounds crazy, but I even have dreams that I should be breastfeeding.

Any help would be appreciated as this was something I really wanted to do and I am still very upset that I was unable to do it.

Answer 1

I am not 100% sure if it would be possible to return to breastfeeding -

I struggled to breastfeed due to incorrect latching - which lead to HUGE blisters on nipples...

I felt bad for not giving my baby the 'BEST of breast' for longer then 3 weeks. But I am reminded everyday i see other mum's bottle feeding - that some babies are NEVER offered Breast milk - and they are just fine!

I would speak to your health visitor/ midwife if you still have contact - to discuss your concerns. Worrying about it will not solve the issues.

I wish you all the best - am sure the little darling is just fine tho!

Answer 2

Yeah, you still have milk!  Definitely not too late.  Here is a link to one of my contacts whom I believe successfully re lactated herself not too long

ago.  

http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profile;_ylt...

Answer 3

Yes you can begin to breastfeed again however it will be a slow going process being that you are dried up.  You should go see your doctor because there are medications that stimulate milk production.  Depending on where you live there are different ones.  They really do help I know from experience.  Then all you have to do is continuously pump to get the milk stimulated again.  I would say about once every hour during the day and then once every three hours during the night.  This would only be until you have regained your milk supply.  Once you have done that then just feed your baby whenever he or she is hungry.  Also when you are pumping try to put your baby at your breast as often as possible.  The baby's sucking seems to stimulate the b*****s better than a pump.  I am not going to lie to you it will be a long and frustrating process especially if you do not get any help from your doctor.  But good luck o you if you decide to go with it.

Answer 4

Hi.  It's not too late, as others have mentioned.  I have successfully done this and I know at least one other person who has as well.  I, too, could only get a drop or 2 after pumping at first.  It is not easy, I won't lie to you.  But, with some determination it can be done.  I found it hard to find any information for my personal situation although there are some great links out there for those who are/were able to nurse.  My son was breastfed until 8 weeks of age when he went through nipple confusion after I returned to work.  I resorted to pumping exclusively for him.  I had enough milk but was always worried about my supply.  When he was 4 months old I got fed up w/ the constant pumping and I stopped and put him on formula.  The guilt was unreal.  To top it off, he got sick for the 1st time ever as soon as I put him on formula.  Thanks to this site, I learned that re-lactation was possible and I gave it a go.  I wasn't able to nurse him but I was able to re-lactate by pumping (a lot).  The first thing you need to do is work w/ someone who can help you perfect his latch.  If a baby will latch on before they are 4 months old, you have a very good chance.  However, the younger the better.  I have tried everything except for prescription medications to increase my supply.  You have to remember that this is not going to happen overnight, it took me a little over 6 weeks and I still have to supplement 8oz of formula a day (which I am okay with but may be trying a prescription to increase my supply even more).  Do some research on Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle.  Get some and take 3 pills of each, 3X a day.  It sounds like a lot but it won't do you or your son any harm and you can gradually decrease the dose.  Drink a LOT of water, that is very important.  Caffeine is okay in moderation.  Make sure you are getting enough rest and enough healthy calories.  

Please feel free to contact me, I will be glad to help whereever I can.  GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 5

You can deffinatly start lactating again! I know a couple mothers who adopted babies and were able to start lactating with meds and herbs.

Start pumping about every hour or so just for a few minutes.

Nurse your baby, even if nothing comes out. The sucking will send signals to your body to start producing milk again.

Take Fenugreek, you can get it at GNC cheap. Take 3 pills, 3x a day.

Drink Mothers Milk Tea, can also get it at GNC...drink it 3-5x a day.

Drink tons of water and eat alot of oatmeal (not the instant). Good luck, you can deffinatly do it!

Answer 6

No its not too late, many adoptive moms lactate.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob...

The majority (n=19) of women, however, attempted to wean their children – some as early as 3 months of age – but relactated between less than 1 day and 3 months later. Factors that influenced feeding decisions were primarily related to maternal and child health, and maternal time commitments. Children were weaned when there was a perceived problem of maternal health or time commitments and child health was not at risk of deterioration. Mothers postponed weaning because of poor child health. The primary reason for relactation was a child's negative reaction to weaning (e.g., incessant crying or refusal to eat). Personalities of the mother and child were important determinants of feeding decisions. These results demonstrate that maternal and child factors jointly influence child-feeding decisions and that these decisions are easily reversed. As relactation is culturally acceptable, health practitioners should consider recommending relactation when children have been prematurely weaned and human milk would improve their nutritional and health status.

Answer 7

WOW...Great answers you have received, there's isn't much I can ADD Except...Best Of LUCK and YOU CAN DO IT~~ I'll Be Your CHEERLEADER~~

Answer 8

You can totally relactate.  and i think it is a fantastic idea.  Especially as baby is still relatively young.  I wish i had had the guts to try after my baby weaned himself when i went back to work at 2 mos.  I was so depressed, and all during my pregnancy i had promised myself i would breastfeed, and it just didn't happen.  I applaud your courage, and i think that as long as you are serious about it, and are willing to work at it, you will do great! Check out this site for info...

Answer 9

I've got a friend who just recently went on a mission trip to Africa where they relactated females who hadn't nursed in 20 years to feed new born babies whose mother's couldn't breastfeed bc of health reasons. So, I'd say with the right help and the right attitude, no it's never too late ;) Best of luck.

Answer 10

No, it is not too late to relactate.  Whether you could get baby back on the breast is another matter.  

Frequent and regular pumping will cause your milk to flow again, and you can feed it from a bottle.  With luck you will make enough to be able to stop the formula completely.  If you can't make quite that much, any amount of breastmilk will be good for baby.

If you are hoping to get baby back on the breast, I would strongly urge working with a lactation consultant.  She will know a lot of tricks and techniques for getting baby nursing again.

Good luck.