Feeling guilty.

[Julia24]

Of course. With the flu and cold season quickly coming and Charlotte getting zero breastmilk, I'm not totally regretting not at least pumping a few times a day. Ugh. It just seems like such a manageable task now that I'm not all hormonal and I've gotten a little sleep, yk,?

We were in her room getting ready for bed tonight and she was fussy, and still won't go near a binky, so I decided to see if she would comfort nurse - she really has always preferred flesh....and low and behold - she latched on (probably not the best, but it didn't hurt) and nursed for at least 10 minutes. Just staring at me and so still and content. She even popped off and went back to it several times - she ENJOYED it. So I offerred her the other side (my 'flat' nipple) She nursed there for a good 5 minutes, but once she popped off she could never really find it well enough again and started getting irritated.

Anyways, so now I'm wondering if I should try to relactate. I wonder if it's possible to get any sort of real supply back at 8 weeks? She barely nursed at the breast for 4/5 days (she was a horrible nurser, but how lucky am I that she'll willingly latch on?) And I pumped to comfort, so I've only not pumped at all for the past 2 or 3 weeks maybe?

Why do I do this to myself?????

Thoughts??????

[robbins611]

I've helped a mama relactate for a baby 6 months old that never had a single suck at the breast. You can do this with a bit of guidance. Just contact your local La leche league leader and she'll set you up. Breastfeeding is so special and would be a sad thing to miss out on. ((HUGS))

Much Love,
Gini

[jess152]

Originally Posted by Julia24

Just staring at me and so still and content.

This is part of why I love it so much...time to reconnect. My almost 3 year old still does this. He's as still and quiet as can be with the best eye contact!

Give it a shot! It's so worth it! You may be surprised at how quickly your body will respond to her.

[2boyzmama]

I bet you can do it, at least a little! Call LLL, and post over in the breastfeeding area too.

[MichelleAnnette]

I think it is highly likely that you can relactate. Whether you can feed her 100% breastmilk, I don't know, but you should be able to produce milk. Adoptive moms who have never given birth are often able to lactate and give their babies quite a bit of breastmilk.

It is great that she will latch on! That is step 1 and you've got it. Just keep offering the breast and don't give a pacifier.

And get in touch with an LLL leader and go to meetings.

[feminist~mama]

I totally agree that you should be able to relactate! Call LLL or an IBCLC- they should be able to help you out! So awesome that she's latching!

[Dmitrizmom]

here's a link to relactation on kellymom.com: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/relactation.html

[mom2tig99Nroo03]

entirely possible

Originally Posted by Julia24

(she was a horrible nurser, but how lucky am I that she'll willingly latch on?) ?

very (says the mama with more than enough milk for 2 kids, but a bavy who will not/ can not latch at all.) can i just say how jealous i am?

[Julia24]

Well - when she was new she WOULDN'T! One of the reasons I gave up. She would just cry and root and cry and root until she fell asleep. It was pathetic. Then, after the 30minutes to an hour of trying to fight her onto the breast, I would give up and pump - THEN, she wouldn't suck on the bottle either, so I would have to sit there and syringe feed her whatever I pumped. It was just totally stressing me out!!!!!!

She nursed 4 (maybe 5?) times yesterday though - pretty much only on one side. My flat nipple really irritates her. I know it CAN be latched onto, Grace and Maddie both did it....but probably having plenty of milk would make it more 'worth it'.....there's nothin' in there right now.

[2boyzmama]

You know what? Even if you never get much of a supply rebuilt (although I still think you can), the fact that she's latching and comfort nursing gives you a HUGE parenting tool!!

There was a debate a while back on the breastfeeding board...would you rather give breastmilk in a bottle or formula from your breasts? And I honestly don't know!! Obviously there are tons of benefits to breastmilk, but I truly parent at my breasts, so to not have them... I don't know!! So how wonderful that you have that tool available to you again

Keep putting her to breast...she might bring your milk in on her own without you having to take herbs or pump much! Oh, and I eventually weaned my right side and nursed solely on left with both Ian Connor...I don't like my right, they didn't like my right, so you can just nurse on one side.