Re-lactating

[justmeandmybrood]

Hi, everyone!  I guess I am just in need of some encouragement from BTDT moms.  Long story short, I believe in BF (did it with my 1st two and loved every second) and was excited to get to BF #3 (4 mo old tomorrow!).  Due to GI issues, we have gone back and forth btw BF and various formulas, and when I finally felt that I had to give up BF, stopped pumping.  Murphy's Law (though in a good way this time!) - the GI told us last week we could return to whatever food source we wanted, woo hoo!  

It was 3.5 weeks since I had BF and so I am trying to relactate.  I am using a hospital pump (6 or more pumps a day, 15-20 min each along with massage), tincture and capsules of lactate support herbs, offering breast to baby as often as possible, etc.

So I guess my questions are these:

-has anyone else successfully relactated?

-how long did it take you to relactate?

-is it realistic to hope I can EBF again?  (Day 1 of pumping I got 3mL and have been doubling each day)

-any tips you have to offer?

Thank you so much!!

[3girls1boy]

I don't have personal experience but I wanted to offer encouragement.  Sounds like you are doing all you can and it's encouraging that your baby is willing to take the breast after a break.

Have you investigated a supplementary nursing system (SNS)?

[angela1435]

Hi!  I have not breastfed since my son was 2 weeks old and I am just now trying to relactate for him and he is 7 months now.  You are pretty much doing exactly what you are supposed to do and honestly, since you haven't had that long of a break from breastfeeding, I think it will work very well for you.  Have you been able to pump any milk at all?

[justmeandmybrood]

Thanks so much for the replies!  I am looking into a Medela SNS...and yes, I love that he enjoys being at the breast; it is honestly the only thing keeping me going during the "dry" times, lol!

Angela, yes, I am pumping milk, woo hoo!  My 1st day of pumping I got 3mL, then kept doubling.  We are now 2 weeks, 1 day into it and so far (1pm here) I have pumped 3.25 oz...most of that was the first pump of the morning.  I have been getting through a flu or nasty bug but in a day or two I will be pumping in the middle of the night (a mama on another board told me that between 1-5am our prolactin levels are at their highest (the hormone that makes us produce milk).  I barely pumped yesterday with being so sick...my dr has also prescribed Reglan for me (I am unable to take domperidone).  Not sure if I will take the Reglan - makes me a little nervous, to tell you the truth!

[PatioGardener]

Just dropping in to lend my virtual support. I'm cheering for you!

Is your baby latching well? Latching while sleepy and treating any latch issues like a nursing strike may help.

Good luck! 

[gravida]

 I re-lactated for DD. It is hard work! Good on you for making the commitment. Because it has only been a few week without nursing you will most likely be able to get back a full or close to full supply. The fact you are getting 3 + oz already is great news!

  I stopped BF at about 4 months until about 6 months. It took me a month or so before I was able to get anything more than dribbles from the pump. I never got back a full supply but it was enough for us. I put the pump away 3 or 4 months into the journey. DD would nurse for comfort and get a few oz (I'm guessing) of milk while she was at it. I never took dom or anything, just herbs, herbs and more herbs. I'd offer the breast to DD first then when she got sick of it I'd pump. 

  Good luck and happy pumping!