Guess what!!!!!????

[Julia24]

So - I've been letting Charlotte comfort nurse whenever she wants (which is not very often, and not very long, maybe a minute or two here or there -but it's something) And I spoke to my husband about it....I know it seems silly, but I wanted to make sure I was going to have his support - it's just too hard NOT to, yk? Today was the day I was going to start pumping. I had gotten rid of all my pump pieces except the pump itself, so I went to BRU and bought all the horns, etc etc I needed and then stopped by a woman who runs a natural parenting store (online) in her home in the neighboring town who happens to carry that More Milk Plus stuff. Took two pills immediately, went to the grocery store (this is all before lunch this morning with both Grace and Charlotte in tow) and did a major shop, and came home and immediately pumped.

I got 3mL in 10 minutes! I seriously was anticipating pumping nothing for at least a few days!!! I'm so encouraged right now. Not only do I still have tiny bits of milk, but this bodes well to me being able to make more (rather than having nothing to start, yk?)

Now, I just have to find somewhere that maybe gives a schedule of pumping for people in my particular situation - I've checked kellymom, but I just don't see anything.

IF I get a decent supply back, the next step is going to be trying really hard to get her back to the breast. (I don't think getting her there will be hard, once there is milk, but getting her there PROPERLY might be a little more tricky after the bottle for the last 2 months, yk? But she can learn!)

[saffrongirl]

What a great feeling! Aren't our bodies amazing?!

I don't remember your exact situation, but it sounds like you are really persevering and I just want to tell you what a great job you're doing!

[diana_of_the_dunes]

Yay for you!

[2boyzmama]

That is AWESOME Julia!!!

I knew you could do it, at least a little! You may never get her on the breast full time, but every little bit helps, and it's SO awesome that you're trying at all!! And really, at only 8 weeks old, you stand a good chance at making enough milk if you work hard at it! If you even just work half-way, you'll probably be able to give her at least a few ounces

When you do give her a bottle, be sure to encourage her to open her mouth WIDE and take as much of the base of the nipple in her mouth as possible. Also make sure her tongue is down. That will help her latch onto your breast better.

Is there an LC near you you can talk to? Or have you tried your local LLL? They may have more tips for you to try. And if you ever want to take the step of a supplemental nursing system (SNS or LactAid) you can probably get one from an LC or maybe even from LLL.

You should consider going to an LLL meeting, once you tell them you're trying to relactate, you'll have nothing but support and admiration!!!!!!

[StrongFeather]

wow Julia that's great news! Congrats, I hope it's an easy task for you

[aleatha5]

Yay! I'm so happy for you. What a wonderful thing for you and your daughter.

[ilovejeff]

You go, girl! I love the book Breastfeeding Made Simple. This is what they recommend for pumping to establish a full supply:

Pump 8-10 times a day for 10-15 mins per breast per session. Focus on getting the pumping sessions in, not on how long in between sessions.

If you're thinking of buying a breastfeeding book, I highly recommend this one. I've read a few and this one seems to have all the best info and is a very easy read.

[Julia24]

Of course, I've had just drops since then, but they're still DROPS! I pumped at 1 for 10 minutes, 2 for 20 minutes, 4 for 20 minute, 7:30 for 10 minutes and I plan to do 10 minutes at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30. Then I'll go to bed. I figure I'll get up and pump 10 minutes whenever I wake tonight....I am not timing it, everything I read said it's better to do it when you naturally wake, so....

I'm going to try to get good pumpings in for a week - we'll see where I am then. I can decide what to do from there.

[MichelleAnnette]

Congrats!!!!!!!! How awesome that you are relactating! Go to an LLL meeting - you will get tons of support.

[Dmitrizmom]

doing a happy dance for you and Charlotte! Sounds like you are on the right track.

[hipmummy]

[rebeccajm]

Awesome! Way to go! It sounds like you are on the right track. I bet you will be able to EBF pretty soon!!!

[deymm]

that's great!

If you search for adoptive breastfeeding or inducing lactation, I'm sure you'll find lots more info, too. You could also consider using a Supplemental Nursing System (otherwise known as the SNS, made by Medela) and doing all feeding at the breast instead of with bottles. I have a low supply due to previous surgery and I use the SNS every day at almost every feeding.

[Julia24]

deb I give you total credit. I LOATHE that stupid sns thing. It just makes it all so complicated, yk?

Today, still getting just drops -but I figure since I was down to basically nothing, it should be like a newborn again...just pumping like every two hours during the day and then cluster feeding in the evening and then 1 or 2x at night and give it several days to really kick up.

I may increase the herbs too - but I don't want to be premature, trying to give my body time to adjust.