breast feeding

[skye*]

i was wondering if its even possible now to breastfeed my babe now that its been a month?

my milk is gone now, is it possible to get a pump and start trying to make them lactate again??

and if so can i just pump it into a container or do i have to try to feed him?

i dont think hed grasp it now that hes used to a bottle........

[Darakash]

There may be others who know better, but from every thing I have seen, once a baby gets used to the ease with which the formula comes out of a bottle, they are not too good at (or happy about) trying to use the breast. It is more work, and is a different type of sucking/latching on. I think you could get yourself lactating again, but don't know if your baby would go directly to breast. you could pump into a bottle and then give baby the breast milk, that way.
dK

[soilsigh aingeal]

When I changed my mind after I had my son, I was told up to 12 weeks. You just have to keep pumping until you get a supply. I know that oatmeal enhances the supply and there's an herb, I can't remember what it's called.

I didn't have any success because my son wouldn't have anything to do with my breast (he was 6-7 weeks) and it made me feel like crap to try for an hour with him having no intrest and only crying for a bottle, so I gave up. I didn't have a pump and I didn't think to buy one to see if that would do the trick.

Good luck!

[~*Ginger*~]

Chocolate & peanut butter (I think) are good milk maker's.
If you & the baby, have the want to, you can do it...

[Darakash]

there's an herb, I can't remember what it's called.
It's fenugreek.
DK

[Ceres]

it IS possible to relactate. it can be done and it is worth doing, but be aware its often a difficult process. your baby is now accustomed to artificial nipples and the suck patterns are different, what u will have do is teach him how to suck from a real nipple, as well as establishing your milk supply. please email me for detailed instructions and ideas. radikalwomyn@yahoo.ca

[soilsigh aingeal]

It's fenugreek.
DKthat's it!

[Celtic Solstice]

I think it is possible. (I know of adoptive mothers who have breastfed, but they did this with the help of hormones and I don't know what is involved. I suspect that so close to pregnancy you already have the relevant hormones). It sounds like there was another poster who has experience and has offered email, so I would talk to her and give it a shot.

One thing I would mention... the baby himself is better at stimulating the breast than any pump. You might pump an ounce for every two ounces your baby can.

Also there are things called Supplemental Nursing Systems (SNS) that can help you nurse - EVEN if you have no production. It is often used when a baby has trouble nursing or if a woman is not producing enough milk. I used it when my baby rejected my breast after a couple days. It took about two weeks to get him nursing without the SNS.

Basically, you put the milk (formula) in a bag like an IV with a tube coming out which you align with your nipple. The baby takes the nipple and the tube in his mouth. There is a valve on the tube that prevents the formula from flowing except when he is sucking. The result is that the baby gets milk easy. Your breast continues to get the stimulation. He learns to nurse from your breast. It would allow you to switch completely from bottle to breast right away, because he could get all of his nutritional needs from the formula in the SNS until your breast starts lactating again.

In between sessions with the SNS you might want to try pumping for extra stimulation and also so that you know you are finally producing. You can get a temporary SNS kit for about $12 (these are not intended for long-term use). It requires a bit of work. You have to fill the thing as you would with a bottle and you need to flush the tube after every feeding to keep it clean. The temporary ones are designed for seven days. If insurance will cover it or if you can afford it you might want to get a long-term use SNS depending on how difficult it is to get yourself lactating... and if you are interested in nursing EVEN if you do not relactate.

Good luck!

Celtic Solstice

[skye*]

Thank you all for your great advice :heartthro


I am going to talk to a le lache person today about getting started and talk with a lactation consultant about a pump to get me started.Im very nurvous about it but i know its whats best for him!

keep ya posted.sorry so short lots to do:)

merry bless,
skye

[Rhianna813]

Here is one of the best websites about Breastfeeding! I used it alot when I BFing and having supple issues. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/index.html

Definitely asked the LC about a SNS system and Fenugreek is also a good herb to try. It is safe and actually used to make artificial maple syrup. It smells like maple syrup and you know you are taking enough when your skin, sweat, and breastmilk smell like syrup LOL

Also you can sometimes borrow hospital grade pumps from your local WIC group. I was able to do this in my area.

Rhianna

[Ceres]

Here is one of the best websites about Breastfeeding! I used it alot when I BFing and having supple issues. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/index.html

Definitely asked the LC about a SNS system and Fenugreek is also a good herb to try. It is safe and actually used to make artificial maple syrup. It smells like maple syrup and you know you are taking enough when your skin, sweat, and breastmilk smell like syrup LOL

Also you can sometimes borrow hospital grade pumps from your local WIC group. I was able to do this in my area.

Rhianna

that site is a fantastic resource rhianna, thanks!