How to get her back breast feeding?

Kaddie - posted on 05/24/2011

Thanks everyone all the information you have given is really helpful to me.

Teri - posted on 05/23/2011

only way to do it is to try to feed her at the boob often and regularly. I had a son who was bottle fed and came back to breast at 2 mos. had to give him lots of time to practice and followed up with bottle.

Maggie - posted on 05/23/2011

There are two issues here - the supply and the latch. As for supply, the best advice has already been given, keep pumping and keep nursing. You may also find a taking a galactagouge like fenugeek may help. A great book to borrow or buy would be 'The breastfeeding mother's guide to making more milk'.
As for the nipple confusion/latch problems, have you tried any biological nurturing positions? Lying, lightly dressed, in a semi-reclined position with your baby lying on top can help both you and your baby to release natural instincts that aid latching and attaching. Many women find breastfeeding suddenly seems to work when they try biological nurturing for the first time. I've put in a link below. Good Luck! http://www.biologicalnurturing.com/video...

Keri - posted on 05/23/2011

Cynthia that is not true. You can rebuild your milk supply if you have stopped nursing.

Kaddie I suggest only offering the breast. Obviously you don't want her to starve so only offer a bottle after you have given the breast a good try. Try offering before she is really hungry. If she normally eats every 2 hours offer the breast an hour and 45 minutes after her last feeding and try to get her to latch on for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Only give a bottle after she has nursed. I would suggest finding a lactation consultant or your local Le Leche League for help. Most WIC offices have a lactation consultant that will help you for free. You don't have to be receiving WIC to get help. Good luck. I think it is wonderful you want to get back to breast feeding.

Erin - posted on 05/23/2011

yeah do you know a good lawyer? that doctor is insane to tell you to stop breastfeeding in the first place. i think what you are doing is wonderful and i really hope it works out for you. x

Betty H - posted on 05/22/2011

Hi, You will need to get a Lactation Consultant because now your baby has what we call nipple confusion and you need to put a nipple shield on and breastfeed this way. A Lactation Consultant can help guide you better or you can buy one and try it. She can still breastfeed and if you have been pumping, you can increase your supply by pumping about every three hours by day and a little longer at night just to get your milk supply up. You doctor should have told you to breastfeed and supplement at your breast with a feeding tube. You can still do that. I live in the Houston,Texas area but you can call me for more pointers. I am a Lactation Consultant. You can visit my website at http:www.breastfeedingwithlove.com Good luck. Have a blessed day.

Rachel - posted on 05/22/2011

I'm so glad for you that you want to work on breast feeding again. Lots of babies go through the same thing. I had to use a supplimental nursing system (the tube on the nipple) for a few days until my milk was in. It was a pain in the butt, but it worked for us. Good luck! I don't really have any advice, other than to not give up and contact a lactation consultant to help you with latching on or other issues if needed. You'll get there!

Andrea - posted on 05/22/2011

The best ways to increase your supply, put simply is this: pump pump pump, nurse nurse nurse. When you urse/pump you are telling your body you need more milk because your baby is hungry more often - it will naturally increase the more you pump/nurse. Try pumping/nursing every 2 hours, for at least 15-20 mins each side. Making sure the breast is empty is key as well. You can also get a boost to start with an herbal suppliment called "More Milk Plus" I used it and it worked WONDERS! Adoptive mother's actually have been known to use it months before they get a newborn baby so they can breastfeed :)

As for the baby not latching - what may help is a nipple shield. They are often used for mothers with flat or inverted nipples (which is what I had), but I also found that it lessened the "nipple confusion" because then the breast and the bottle felt the same. Then you can slowly wean off of the nipple shield and just go to breast.

If you really want it, you can do it! Just don't give up.

Also know, that breast milk has more and better fats than formula, so if you want the baby to gain weight - breast milk is actually the way to go :)

Elizabeth - posted on 05/21/2011

Maybe this product would help. http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/pro... You put milk (or formula if you don't have enough pumped yet) into it and the tube end goes into baby's mouth along with your nipple. She will get milk right away and learn to nurse. Some insurances cover it if you can get your doctor to prescribe it. I used it years ago because my newborn couldn't nurse for the first two weeks due to surgery and she was used to the bottle.

Kathy - posted on 05/21/2011

Hi Kaddie,
Congratulations on your wonderful decision! It’s great that you have some milk, although it’s definitely possible to relactate even if you don’t have any milk. Many adoptive mums have been able to breastfeed their babies. Many mums have been able to relactate enough to be able to fully breastfeed their babies; others have been content that their babies are get some breastmilk. It’s definitely encouraging that your baby is so young, and that you are so enthusiastic.
There’s lots of information on relactation. Kellymom is particularly good. This link is to an article specifically on relactation. Do take the time to read it, as it’s full of good information.
A great way to start would be with lots of skin to skin contact. Hold your little one close to your exposed breast and let her enjoy the comfort.If she wants to suck, that’s great, but if she doesn’t, don’t push it and just hold her. Some babies are reluctant to suck unless they get an easy reward for their efforts – in such cases, many mums use a breastfeeding supplementer. This consists of a container that is worn on acord around the mother's neck. Fine tubing carries expressed breastmilk formula from the container to the nipple. When the baby sucks at the breast, milk is drawn through the tubing into her mouth, along with any milk from the breast. Discuss this with a lactation specialist or counsellor to see if this would be useful for your situation.

The important thing, of course, is to build up your supply. As you know, the more the breast is empties, the more milk is produced, so pump often to build your supply. Yopu may want to offer this expressed breastmilk to her via the supplementer I mentioned above – as she suckles more, the milk-producing glands will be stimulated to make more milk.

It’s hard to tackle the job of relactating by yourself, so try to build a support network. I would encourage you to talk to your family and friends so they can be there with you on this important journey. There’s lots of breastfeeding support around. I don’t know where you’re from, but if you’re in America, contact the La Leche League. Their site has great information and their leaders and groups will be able to provide lots of support. If you’re in Australia, contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association for great information and support.

Good luck, Kaddie! You’ve made a brilliant decision, and I really hope things work out! But remember, even if things don’t work out, the fact that you’re willing to think about this shows whay a great mum you are!

Kristi - posted on 05/21/2011

She may not want the breast because it takes a little bit for the let down. You could try pumping until you feel the let down and then put her on.Since your milk will be flowing she may realize that there is something to eat there :)

Michelle - posted on 05/20/2011

then pump both sides every couple hours. I would suggest to try to nurse each feed but don't get too mad if she doesn't take. The important thing is you are trying to give her what is best. Doesn't matter how she gets it. Good job at wanting to get her back on breastmilk and good luck.

Kaddie - posted on 05/20/2011

yes i still have milk

Cynthia - posted on 05/20/2011

after a month do you still have milk? i would think if you havent been pumping then the answer is sadly no. if you still have milk you will make more and will have enough for her. but if it is gone then its gone