Second trimester loss and breastfeeding - x-posted

[doctorjen]

I have a client who just found out that she has had a fetal demise at 18 weeks. She is currently breastfeeding as well. She wants to know if her milk supply might return (had gone way down during the pregnancy) after the baby is gone. It would make her feel some comfort at least to know that she'll have milk again for her toddler (not near enough comfort for this terrible loss, but a small thing that would make her feel a tiny bit better.) Has any one had any experience with milk supply surrounding a second trimester loss?

[khaoskat]

I think it still does come in. It might not be a whole lot, at first, but I think she can work it back up to a good amount.

Melissa S.

[mamallama]

I leaked colostrum after a late 1st trimester loss--and my nursling had been weaned for 2 years.

She could try the low tech galactagogues to give her supply a boost....

[cfiddlinmama]

My SIL had this. Lost the baby at 18 wks. Was still slightly bf'ing. Her milk came in in full force. She was able to bf her little one for quite a bit longer. She got nice and fat again. It was a small consolation for her. She said the look on her dd's face when the milk first came in was priceless! : I'm sorry for your client's loss.

[momuveight2B]

I had a fetal demise at ten weeks over a year ago. My milk did come in but not nearly as strong as after a term birth. My toddler enjoyed it while it lasted since she was used to almost dry nursing. It was a source of comfort for me that I was still nursing her and I think it really helped my hormones and emotions to return to normal. I have had four losses and always find the emotional recovery to be much more difficult than the physical.