Am I doing this in vain?

[Sara268]

To make a long story short (because I just don't have the time to write it all out right now) I gave up nursing when my DS was about 2 weeks old because of incredibly painful cracked bleeding nipples. I was recovering from a c-section and really just made a horrible choice. He's now a month old and I decided to try and relactate. I've read everything I can find about the subject and most say to pump every 2 hours for 10 minutes with a hospital grade pump. I can hand express some milk if I squeeze very hard, but do not have a let down or anywhere close. I've pumped 3x's now since getting my pump and am getting NO milk whatsoever. Do you think this will all be in vain? Or will I truly, after some time, see milk and actually get to the point where I have a let down? I am also taking fenugreek and blessed thistle (just started today) 3x's a day 2 capsules each time. Does anyone else have any experience or insight or even encouragement? I really want what is best for my baby and I know it's going to be a long road, but it's hard to pump and see nothing for my efforts KWIM?

[quirkylayne]

Pumping 3 times isn't much at all. You can do it, it has only been two weeks. Some women go months before re-lactating - some women induce lactation for adopted babies. My guess is that you will have good results with in a couple of weeks. Feeling a let down isn't necessary. In addition to pumping often, make sure you are getting enough calories and water, resting (I know - but as much as possible), skin to skin time with baby. Good lucK!

[RachelGS]

You can do it! It's like doing three sets of sit-ups and expecting to see your abs looking tight. It takes longer than that, but your body is starting to understand what it needs to do. Keep at it, mama. You're doing a wonderful thing.

[Sara268]

Thanks for the encouragement! I actually had a few drops come out of my right breast this morning! My right breast always produced more than my left anyhow. It was just the confidence booster I needed. I use a medela symphony and after 2 minutes it goes into a let down. Do you think I need to shut that off since I'm not actually getting anything and not having a let down? Or should I let it do it's thing and quit worrying? LOL

[Vanessa]

I know I read somewhere that it takes about as long to relactate as it's been since the baby was weaned. I'm not sure where, though.

I think it will work out! When I pumped for my first son, it still took a few days for me to get enough milk that way, and he was nursing all of the time so the supply was definitely there.

I think you're doing a wonderful thing for your baby.

[BakerALM]

Just wanted to say that you chose a great pump, I use it for hours a day. :
Also I think 10mins a time might not be enough. It really depends upon the person but even for woman who are pumping at work and nursing at home it is recommended to pump for 15-20mins each time. Also for EPing woman who are trying to build supply they should be pumping at least 15-20min 10-12 times/day and also waking during the night to pump. It totally sucks to have to pump so much but it is well worth it to be able to give your babe MM:.

Has anyone mentioned that the long term/bigger problem is getting your babe to actually feed at the breast. Have you thought about supplementing all feeds at the breast using a SNS or Lactaid. Then you will be sure to stimulate your breast the best way possible, by the baby. And also the biggest thing is that when you finally have a larger supply you can reduce/remove the supplement and you babe will already know how to nurse.

[prettypixels]

The SNS/Lact-Aid suggestion is a really good one, IMO. Although if you are totally overwhelmed, I think just nursing with the SNS/LA a few times a day would be a good thing. It doesn't have to be all or nothing... figure out what works for you. When I first started using the SNS I used it ALL. THE. TIME. And was pulling my hair out. Finally I started letting my husband give the baby a bottle a few times a day... then I got a lact-aid which for me was much easier. Now we use the lact-aid exclusively at home, except overnight, and only use bottles overnight and if we are out. (We nurse and use bottles while we are out.) My baby still loves to nurse. Just remember you want your baby to associate the happiest most awesome loving feelings at the breast... so if they get too frustrated, take a break.

I HTH! You can totally do it! You are such an awesome mama for trying!

[Sara268]

I actually just found out today that 10 minutes was probably not long enough so I'm going to increase my pumping time to 15-20 minutes each session. I'm also pumping every 2 hours around the clock (maybe 3 at night when I just can't seem to get up and moving right away) The lactation consultant I was put in touch with today by email mentioned reglan also. What are everyone's thoughts on that? I am taking blessed thistle and fenugreek as well and she said that it would take about a week to see an increase with those.

As for the SNS I'm wanting to do just what you mentioned, but I need to get ahold of one first. I'm hoping that this week I can get one and start trying to do that as well.

Thanks for all the support! I know this is best for my baby. I feel just terrible that he is getting the amount of formula that he is right now.

[Sara268]

then I got a lact-aid which for me was much easier.

Is there a difference in the SNS and Lact-aid? I used the medela SNS a few times in the hospital waiting for my milk to come in. I can see why you were pulling your hair out using it. It is kind of a pain to get ready and then clean EVERY time you'd need to nurse. I will do what it takes though. Going to research the lact-aid...

[Amris]

Originally Posted by Sara268

I actually just found out today that 10 minutes was probably not long enough so I'm going to increase my pumping time to 15-20 minutes each session. I'm also pumping every 2 hours around the clock (maybe 3 at night when I just can't seem to get up and moving right away) The lactation consultant I was put in touch with today by email mentioned reglan also. What are everyone's thoughts on that? I am taking blessed thistle and fenugreek as well and she said that it would take about a week to see an increase with those.

As for the SNS I'm wanting to do just what you mentioned, but I need to get ahold of one first. I'm hoping that this week I can get one and start trying to do that as well.

Thanks for all the support! I know this is best for my baby. I feel just terrible that he is getting the amount of formula that he is right now.

Don't feel bad, mommy!

You are giving him medicine. Just look at it honestly. Would you deprive your child of medicine if he needed it? Would you feel guilty that you were giving him the medication he needed to keep him alive if he were dying?

Formula is medicine. He needs something... breast milk. He can't get it. So he gets medicine that meets his need for sustenance- without which he would die!!

There is no reason for guilt in your circumstance. You are giving him what he needs in order to survive while you work to restore the function of your body to the best it can offer (which, even if it's "not enough" to feed him completely, is ENOUGH!).

What you are doing is hard work. You have to prepare formula and feed him, PLUS you have to pump. And pumping and getting next to nothing is disheartening work on top of the labor of it.

So, stand up, dust yourself off, and look honestly at what you are doing, instead of through the lense of "should." What you're doing is hard work, and it's loving work. What's done is done, what's past is passed. Are you doing your best to change course? Yes. So let that be enough.

No one can do better than their personal best. You are doing your personal best. So relax, go with the flow, and give yourself some well-earned appreciation and gratitude.

[prettypixels]

Originally Posted by Sara268

Is there a difference in the SNS and Lact-aid? I used the medela SNS a few times in the hospital waiting for my milk to come in. I can see why you were pulling your hair out using it. It is kind of a pain to get ready and then clean EVERY time you'd need to nurse. I will do what it takes though. Going to research the lact-aid...

The lact-aid uses disposable bags, so you don't have to clean the entire thing every single time. It also seems easier to me, using a syringe (google "monoject 412") to clean it. It's easier to get placed properly in the babies mouth and doesn't seem sooo finicky about PERFECT PLACEMENT which was my problem with the SNS. I'd get the SNS in and the baby latched on and then... "look for bubbles! Oh! No bubbles! Start over!" Arrrrrgggghh. The lact-aid just seems to work easier.

BUT... other women prefer the SNS, so I think some of it is personal preference.

Oh also with the lact-aid I do not use any tape. I just hold the tube with my nipple and push both into babies mouth at once. No tape, no rash from pulling the tape off, YAY!

[MeredithMommy]

dr jack newman has info on his weblite about using a lactation aid. From what I understand you can make one pretty easily.

you are doing a wonderful thing for your baby!!!!!

[melissakc]

Don't be discouraged by just getting drops. I got nothing and then just drops for days and days until my milk came in. DD was 5 weeks early, so I had to pump every 3 hours for 6 weeks to keep my milk from going away. It was a very difficult time, and I grew to hate my pump, but I'm glad I did it bc we ended up nursing for 16 months with no bottles and no pump after 3 months! In a few weeks I bet milk will be gushing out and you'll be cheering it on as you pump! Keep positive. It helped me when pumping to think happy thoughts about my baby or to look at her while I pumped. Deep breaths and try to relax--that helps too. Good luck!

[Sara268]

Originally Posted by melissakc

Don't be discouraged by just getting drops. I got nothing and then just drops for days and days until my milk came in. DD was 5 weeks early, so I had to pump every 3 hours for 6 weeks to keep my milk from going away. It was a very difficult time, and I grew to hate my pump, but I'm glad I did it bc we ended up nursing for 16 months with no bottles and no pump after 3 months! In a few weeks I bet milk will be gushing out and you'll be cheering it on as you pump! Keep positive. It helped me when pumping to think happy thoughts about my baby or to look at her while I pumped. Deep breaths and try to relax--that helps too. Good luck!

That is just the encouragement I needed! I think I am starting to get more drops, but still not enough to even run into the bottle KWIM? Just enough to be all over the phlange after pumping. The milk is very yellowy looking is that normal? I can't wait until I'm see a spray with my let down!!

[Sara268]

Originally Posted by prettypixels

The lact-aid uses disposable bags, so you don't have to clean the entire thing every single time. It also seems easier to me, using a syringe (google "monoject 412") to clean it. It's easier to get placed properly in the babies mouth and doesn't seem sooo finicky about PERFECT PLACEMENT which was my problem with the SNS. I'd get the SNS in and the baby latched on and then... "look for bubbles! Oh! No bubbles! Start over!" Arrrrrgggghh. The lact-aid just seems to work easier.

BUT... other women prefer the SNS, so I think some of it is personal preference.

Oh also with the lact-aid I do not use any tape. I just hold the tube with my nipple and push both into babies mouth at once. No tape, no rash from pulling the tape off, YAY!

It does sound easier than the SNS. I ended up purchasing an SNS last night though, since that is what my LC carried. Hopefully it doesn't end up being too big of a pain!

[melissakc]

Originally Posted by Sara268

That is just the encouragement I needed! I think I am starting to get more drops, but still not enough to even run into the bottle KWIM? Just enough to be all over the phlange after pumping. The milk is very yellowy looking is that normal? I can't wait until I'm see a spray with my let down!!

Yes, yellow is normal. Colostrum is yellow and thick. Only later will the milk be whitish and the consistency of milk. Save whatever you get, even if you have to shake it from the phlange into the bottle. It is so dense and rich with wonderful things--give whatever you have to the baby. It is liquid gold! I used to take my pitiful little bottles of drops of colostrum to the NICU and give them to my daughter. I knew it was incredibly valuable, but still I felt kinda lame with such small amounts. It made me so happy when I could walk in there with a two full bottles! The milk will be spraying the bottle in no time! Woo hoo!

[prettypixels]

Originally Posted by Sara268

It does sound easier than the SNS. I ended up purchasing an SNS last night though, since that is what my LC carried. Hopefully it doesn't end up being too big of a pain!

Please don't let my comment stop you. Lots of women have success with the SNS! And I did use mine for weeks before I switched. I also had the starter SNS instead of the full model which I think made it a little harder too. My LC only carried the SNS's also. I am sure you are going to do great!!!!

[2 in August]

I just wanted to give you a . You are doing a great thing. It will be worth the work and worry to be able to nurse your baby.

[njbeachgirl]

you can do it. with a 1 mo, yo have a great chance of bringing in a full supply. YAY for you.