How do I begin Relactating and Resuming Breastfeeding?
Circumstances may arise that may cause you to stop breastfeeding or find that being separated from your baby has led to decreased milk supply despite pumping. Regardless of the reason you stopped breastfeeding it is sometimes possible to begin again, to re-lactate, and begin providing all or part of the nourishment your baby requires.
Re-lactation is most successful if you have either given birth recently or if your milk supply has been low or nonexistent for a short period of time.
First off nurse your baby frequently as your baby’s frequent suckling (and combined with other forms of nipple stimulation like breast pumps) are critical for establishing or reestablishing your milk supply. Plan on nursing eight to ten times a day (maybe more) and at least two night feedings. Each feeding should last fifteen to twenty minutes. In between feedings stimulate your breasts with self massage or a breast pump.
Don’t expect instant results. Your breast milk supply will gradually increase over a period of weeks, so it may be hard to detect a day to day change in the amount you are producing.
Keep the nursing sessions relaxed and pleasurable for you and your child. They may take several days to lapse into the habit of feeding from your breast.
Lastly remember that re-lactation does not guarantee a return to exclusively breastfeeding. You may need to supplement your baby’s nutritional intake with donor breast milk or solid foods (if they are over six months)
Monitor the weigh of your baby much more closely during the time you are re-lactating as this will be an easy to measure indicator of the nutrition they are consuming. Be sure to keep your pediatrician and lactation consultant apprised of how things are going.
