No BF for 13 weeks, is it possible to restart?

[Sage_SS]

My son is nearly 6 months old. We had to stop BFing at 13 weeks old because of massive breast infections. Two days of bottle feeding and he lost his latch.
He has two teeth now and wants to chew on everything, tho he also sucks on my fingers when he's munching.

I mourned the end of BFing terribly. I cried and cried and never really accepted that it could be over. I really would love to restart BFing again, if its possible.

Has anyone done this successfully after so long of bottle feeding? Do you think my chances are good or do you think he'll just chew on me? I'm willing to endure a few bites to get him back on.

[snowgirl]

Originally Posted by Sage_SS

My son is nearly 6 months old. We had to stop BFing at 13 weeks old because of massive breast infections. Two days of bottle feeding and he lost his latch.
He has two teeth now and wants to chew on everything, tho he also sucks on my fingers when he's munching.

I mourned the end of BFing terribly. I cried and cried and never really accepted that it could be over. I really would love to restart BFing again, if its possible.

Has anyone done this successfully after so long of bottle feeding? Do you think my chances are good or do you think he'll just chew on me? I'm willing to endure a few bites to get him back on.

Yes, it is possible. PLEASE contact a IBCLC(International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and even your local LLL. They can help.

[1littlebit]

yes. its not easy but its possible. pm me if you want more info. good for you for wanting to try.

[pbjmama]

I agree with the others that this can be done but it will be alot of work. In person support will be needed - an IBCLC is probably your best bet. You can get started by having alot of naked time with your dc and offering the breast as a nice comforting thing.

[mrs*kewpie*pie]

its definately do-able but something that you have to be really determined to succeed at....i'l 3rd the suggestion to seek a certified lactation counselor

[1littlebit]

Originally Posted by mrs*kewpie*pie

its definately do-able but something that you have to be really determined to succeed at....i'l 3rd the suggestion to seek a certified lactation counselor

a certified lactation counselor will help... but not all of them know a lot about re lactation and getting baby back to the breast so ask first and talk to several counselors before deciding. also post in your homes section of fyt and ask for recs.

[mrforbes]

Good luck to you!! And hugs. I had a long struggle with BFing and weaned by the time DS was 4 1/2-5 months but a lot of that was exclusive pumping. In that time I actually dealt with re-lactating (it is really hard, especially getting the baby back to the breast) I started the weaning process at 12 weeks but it took me a long time because of my problems. I too cried a lot and really mourned the whole process. It was honestly one of the hardest things I've ever done.

I ended up doing milkshare privately so he was exclusive breast milk for 8 months or so and he continues to get some.

One thing I found really helpful and healing was to realize that it is important for YOU to feed your baby. I read somewhere that babies have a need to be feed by their mothers and I just believe this to be true (not to cut out fathers or others though)

I babywear and that I found that to be really helpful in the process of weaning. DS loves it and so do I.

If you want to get him back to the breast, definately contact a IBCLC in your area, but one thing mine told me while I was doing a mix of bottles and nursing was to keep him on wide mouth slow flow nipples - I used the born free ones.

[Sage_SS]

Thanks for the info and support!

I have had bad experiences with pumping. It hurts. Maybe I'm using the wrong pump on the wrong strength or something. My experience has only been with the electric double medela. Is there something that is a bit nicer to my nipples?

I mistakingly tried to get him to take my breast yesterday but quickly realized he was too hungry! I'm going to try again today. If he resists it, should I keep trying? Will he, or might he, eventually want to root?

[radosti]

I got the soft shields in my correct size for my Medela pump and it's been very gentle. I love my Medela PISA.

[Sage_SS]

Hmm.. well THAT didn't work!

I've been doing so much reading about this and found many times that its suggested to offer the breast in the bath, or when the babe is sleepy/sleeping. Yesterday we were in the bath when I tried. Today he was sleeping so I took him to our bed and offered it to him. He sucked for about 20 secs, then bit me a few times, then screamed. Its ok.. I'll try again another time.

[snowgirl]

Originally Posted by Sage_SS

Hmm.. well THAT didn't work!

I've been doing so much reading about this and found many times that its suggested to offer the breast in the bath, or when the babe is sleepy/sleeping. Yesterday we were in the bath when I tried. Today he was sleeping so I took him to our bed and offered it to him. He sucked for about 20 secs, then bit me a few times, then screamed. Its ok.. I'll try again another time.

The biting is prolly nipple confusion, so do not take it like he doesn't want it. He is used to a much smaller nipple from a bottle than your nipple and aerola. Keep trying, you can do it!!

[Sage_SS]

well, I'm goin to see the doc to get some domperidone. Also going to rent a breast pump and buy a small hand pump. Putting away all bottles. Goin to the health clinic to get some more tubes for finger feeding.

I am determined. He's only been bottle feed for barely over 3 months. We can get back. I know we can. It's gonna be some work, but I'm full in.

We co-sleep already but my hubby is thrilled about the naked sleeping. LOL....

[1littlebit]

i found that while my milk was coming in and i was struggling with the lactaid the breastflow bottles or those ones that look like rubber rocket ships.. i forget what they are called.. anyway they helped helped him get away from the easy flow of the other bottle nipples.

baby wearing helps too... i totally agree with that. and the other thing i found useful was the breast friend.. not the boppy because it helped me with positioning and support since we were both learning and was older and thus quite a bit heavier then a newborn.

[Sage_SS]

I spoke with a lactation consultant/LLL today! She sounded very optimistic and was quite impressed with how determined I am. She suggested getting a SNS system for the time being as well.
I finger tube fed him twice today! The first time he drank 6 oz, and the second time was only two hours later and he drank 3 oz. Yay baby!! The lady said that its a very good indicator that he's easily adaptable that he took to the finger so easily..

[organicmidwestmama]

best of luck to you! did a doctor recomend you stop nursing due to mastitis?! i just want to let other moms know, in case they are reading this that it is NOT recomended to stop breastfeeding during a breast infection/mastitis, in fact it can be much worse for you (infection can turn into absess more eaily) if breasts arent "emptied" by nursing or pumping with a good double electric pump.