Haven't breastfed for 2 months, haven't pumped for 1 month... Is it over?

Lauren - posted on 04/05/2009

the best thing for you to do i think would be to get in contact with the brest feeding association. they will get you back on track.and you can hire electric breast pumps that are far better than the manual ones.

Emma - posted on 04/05/2009

if you can see milk coming out you are still producing milk, your breasts do not have to feel full as the milk is not stored in them but it will take a little time to adjust to your babys needs fully.

theres no harm in trying

Aimee - posted on 04/05/2009

Quoting Jessica:

Fenugreek helped me immensely...I'm going to go ahead and invest in Blessed Thistle in case I have the same problems this time...but I had a comment about how sore you are.  I know it has to do with her and not you, but I'm wondering if you've tried a nipple shield?  It may really help you, if she will let you use it.  Maybe you won't have so much pain.  I didn't have to use one, but I had a friend who did, and it worked wonders for her.  Keep working with your lactation consultant, though- or if you want, you could always try La Leche League- they would be able to find someone in your area to help you.  I hope it works for you!  I know how frustrating it is- I was there with my first, too!

Yes, I've tried the nipple shield a long time ago. It's just not the same as the act of BF ya know?  =(  I know, it's all about her getting my breast milk that matters, but I do miss her actually ON me, that contact.

I DID take my little one to see the dentist to inspect her mouth to see if she was still tongue tied. I was hoping they would be able to fix whatever she was doing to my nipple with her mouth. She's no longer tongue tied - as apparently that was fixed at the hospital - so she just doesn't know how to effectively get the milk out. :( 

Kre - posted on 04/03/2009

Quoting Jessica:

Fenugreek helped me immensely...I'm going to go ahead and invest in Blessed Thistle in case I have the same problems this time...but I had a comment about how sore you are.  I know it has to do with her and not you, but I'm wondering if you've tried a nipple shield?  It may really help you, if she will let you use it.  Maybe you won't have so much pain.  I didn't have to use one, but I had a friend who did, and it worked wonders for her.  Keep working with your lactation consultant, though- or if you want, you could always try La Leche League- they would be able to find someone in your area to help you.  I hope it works for you!  I know how frustrating it is- I was there with my first, too!

Hello,

My son was born 3 months early, so the NICU had me use a nipple shield when he switched from tube feedings to breastfeeding. How long did your friend use her nipple shield for? Once my son came home, and I went to BF full time we used the shield so he can get the hang of it. Then I slowly started trying to wean him off of it. Which worked sometimes, and other times it didnt. Now we're back to using the shield full time because he gets so frustrated.

My nurse says my nipples are fine, so i dont know why my son gets so mad.

Jessica - posted on 04/03/2009

Fenugreek helped me immensely...I'm going to go ahead and invest in Blessed Thistle in case I have the same problems this time...but I had a comment about how sore you are.  I know it has to do with her and not you, but I'm wondering if you've tried a nipple shield?  It may really help you, if she will let you use it.  Maybe you won't have so much pain.  I didn't have to use one, but I had a friend who did, and it worked wonders for her.  Keep working with your lactation consultant, though- or if you want, you could always try La Leche League- they would be able to find someone in your area to help you.  I hope it works for you!  I know how frustrating it is- I was there with my first, too!

Aimee - posted on 04/03/2009

Quoting Klarisa:

Yes your milk supply can come back. I have successfuly relactated with one of my babies. He was 5 mo. when i stopped nursing him and after about 4-5 weeks, i really missed it. If you want to start nursing again i would recommend pumping a LOT  (I did it every hour for 10 mins on each side to get my supply back fast) Yes you can take fenugreek and blessed thistle together. i have an herbal supliment that i take that has them both in it.

Have you ever tried tongue stroking for you daughter's tongue tie? It has been known to really help.

She can stick out her tongue... but she can't lift her tongue up. =/ 

Do I need to take Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle forever??

Aimee - posted on 04/03/2009

Quoting Melissa:

I think definitly you could get your milk back with effort. My daughter weaned at 15m for 3 months then one day i tried her again and a bit came out, i kept offering if as often as i could and by day 3 i had my milk back in. Good luck and you are obviously thinking about it so its worth a go, nows the time!!!

Hi,

Thanks for your post. I will definately try to get it back. I am going to see if she needs another frenectomy done tomorrow as well to help with the latching problems. Can you share with me how you got your milk back? When I pinch my nipple, I still see milk. But how do I get my boobs back to feeling full?

Melissa - posted on 04/02/2009

I think definitly you could get your milk back with effort. My daughter weaned at 15m for 3 months then one day i tried her again and a bit came out, i kept offering if as often as i could and by day 3 i had my milk back in. Good luck and you are obviously thinking about it so its worth a go, nows the time!!!

Melissa - posted on 04/02/2009

Quoting Aimee:

Haven't breastfed for 2 months, haven't pumped for 1 month... Is it over?

I have had many issues bf, and have seen 3 lactation consultants in the past. The last one I saw told me to stop breastfeeding if I wanted to save my nipples (bc they were constantly feeling bruised and sore from her pinching them by her suckle). I stopped breastfeeding at 7weeks and I stopped pumping over a month ago.

My daughter is now 3 months old. Today I was curious to see what she would do on my boob and I put her on it (after I fed her a bottle so she wouldn't be hungry and frustrated). She latched on (although bc of her tongue tie she still leaves my nipple looking slanted at the tip) and basically used me as a pacifier. Will this get my milk back up?

Also, what does Mother's Milk Tea taste like? Will using Fenugreek or Blessed Thistle work? I've used Fenugreek before and it had worked, but is it too late to try it again?

Can I use Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle together?

Klarisa - posted on 04/01/2009

Yes your milk supply can come back. I have successfuly relactated with one of my babies. He was 5 mo. when i stopped nursing him and after about 4-5 weeks, i really missed it. If you want to start nursing again i would recommend pumping a LOT  (I did it every hour for 10 mins on each side to get my supply back fast) Yes you can take fenugreek and blessed thistle together. i have an herbal supliment that i take that has them both in it.

Have you ever tried tongue stroking for you daughter's tongue tie? It has been known to really help.

Rebecca - posted on 04/01/2009

Your milk supply can come back.  Adoptive mothers that have never breastfed before have successfully lactated with enough effort.  If it is no longer uncomfortable, I recommend you keep trying.  I think it will be worth it if for you both.

Also, I don't think she is a very good lactation consultant.  Not breastfeeding at all should be the very very last resort.

Can't answer about the herbs because I've never needed them, but I don't think they would hurt your efforts.

Rebecca - posted on 04/01/2009

Your milk supply can come back.  Adoptive mothers that have never breastfed before have successfully lactated with enough effort.  If it is no longer uncomfortable, I recommend you keep trying.  I think it will be worth it if for you both.

Also, I don't think she is a very good lactation consultant.  Not breastfeeding at all should be the very very last resort.

Can't answer about the herbs because I've never needed them, but I don't think they would hurt your efforts.

Ashley - posted on 04/01/2009

hi there! just read your post.... to be honest with you... i don't think your milk supply will come back if its been a month. You would've needed the nurse the baby or pump to keep your milk supply going. I don't really know anything about the mothers milk tea or the other two things.... but good luck with everything!