Re-lactating

[MIA-D]

Anyone have any suggestions on books or what have you on re-lactating? How long can you go and still make it work? Lots of questions.

Heather

[Jilian]

You can take fenugreek, drink mother's milk tea, have a beer and do LOTS of pumping. I'm not sure what the time limit is, but I stopped nursing two years ago and I am still able to produce a tiny bit of milk.

There are meds you can take like Regalan (sp?) but try to avoid them if possible because I've heard nasty things about that drug. It can produce hallucinations and other schizophrenic symptoms.

[Luv2bemommy]

Try to get baby to breast as much as possible, my LC had me doing 4 pills of fenugreek 3 times a day, then later I started taking Reglan on top of that to produce more.. Eat oatmeal, drink TONS of water and go see a LC for sure!! They can give you a SNS (supplemental nursing system) so that the baby can get formula as he nurses.. It's a great little invention but just SO HARD to do.. Also pumping 15 mins every 2 hours also.. Hmm thats all I can think of.. The LC had told me even though you can do all of this dont really expect to ever be able to fully breastfeed without having to supplement.. I"m sure its possible to 100% go to bfing though! GOOD LUCK!

[heathenmamaof5]

It is possible, but it takes a lot of work. Questions to ask - Has she ever had children? What ages are they? Is she adopting? Etc

Keep in mind that a woman who has never been pg can induce lactation. It's all about breast stimulation. I've heard of grandma's relactating after their grown child died and the grandparents retain custody.

It can be done!!!

Oh, Pure Herbs carries a tincture called MB&A it's fabulous!!!

[heathenmamaof5]

Hospital Grade breast pump!

[Luv2bemommy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by heathenmamaof5 Hospital Grade breast pump!

Oh that is a MUST have!! Could you tell me more about that herbal tincture?? What all is in it? Does it really work? That is something I need to keep in mind when I have the next one.. hehe

[AussieDoula]

One of the mamas at my local breastfeeding group induced lactation when her baby was 11 weeks old.
You can relactate or induce lactation at any time . It can take a couple of weeks to begin getting breastmilk, but you should nurse on demand (supplementing with pumped/donated breastmilk or formula) to stimulate the production of breastmilk. Let the baby suckle for comfort at the breast too (in between feedings).
You don't need an expensive breastpump (or one at all), you can hand-express to stimulate your breasts.
Fenugreek, nettle, brewers yeast, raspberry leaf, alfalfa, and several other herbs are good for increasing your milk supply.
Try to use a syringe and tube to feed baby at the breast instead of using bottles.
Search through great resources such as KellyMom and La Leche League for information about relactating/inducing lactation. I believe LLL's book "The Womanly Art Of Breastfeeding" includes a few pages specifically about relactating and how to induce lactation in adoptive mothers.
It's a difficult road and will be one needing a lot of support and encouragement, but it is entirely possible to relactate to a point where you are meeting 100% of baby's nutritional needs through your own breastmilk! I think we'd all agree that is worth a few weeks of frustration .
Good luck!

[newbirth]

Check out Dr. Newman, especially the Nursing an adopted baby and Domperidone articles.

[Babies_Bellies_Boobies]

ditto to all above, lol

also motherlove has a tincture that worls great, it is called more milk special blend or something like that. works even better than their older (and more popular one) called more milk plus...