I stopped breastfeeding about 1 month ago, but I’d like to start back up again. Is that possible?
It's amazing you want to start breastfeeding again. Your breast milk is priceless and provides countless benefits to your baby. With dedication and determination, many moms can successfully relactate.
There are many reasons a mom chooses to stop breastfeeding. If there were latching issues, consider getting help from a lactation consultant or your peer counselor. Sharing about past milk production and any medical conditions/medications is important too.
The best results come from latching, pumping, hand expressing (or a combination of all three) 10-12 times a day and regular skin-to-skin contact with baby (which stimulates milk-making hormones). Adjust your routine based on how much breast milk you want to provide. Frequent/consistent removal of breast milk is the most important. Empty breasts make milk faster, whereas full breasts tell production to slow down.
It can take time to see an increase in breast milk production and will depend on how long breastfeeding was interrupted. If you stopped breastfeeding for one month, it may take a month to achieve full milk production again. However, even partial relactation is worthwhile! It’s important to stay hydrated, eat well, and get plenty of rest.
Don't be discouraged if baby isn’t full after breastfeeding or you aren't able to pump very much right away. Your body is responding to every breastfeeding/pumping session.
Tips to reintroduce the breast:
- Attempt to breastfeed before offering a bottle.
- Offer when baby is drowsy or sleeping.
- Consider baby wearing during the day to keep baby close, and offer the breast at the first sign of hunger.
- Do not limit time at the breast; offer both breasts multiple times during a feeding.
- Consider using a supplemental nursing system.
Use a good quality breast pump!
- Make sure it has a strong motor.
- Check that all parts are working well, tightly fitted and aren’t worn out.
- Use the correct flange size (which can change as time goes on).
- For information on choosing a breast pump, click here.
- Contact your local WIC office for more information on breast pump availability.
More Tips:
- Practice paced feeding (which mimics breastfeeding) whenever a bottle is used, to ease baby’s transition from breast to bottle.
- Prioritize latching over pumping. Babies are more effective at removing milk.
- Maximize breastfeeding sessions by doing breast compressions and pumping sessions by using the hands-on-pumping technique.
- Nurse/pump at least once between 2-5 a.m., when prolactin levels (milk-making hormones) are highest.
- Pump for 15 minutes, then switch to hand expression when milk is no longer flowing.
- Limit pacifier use so baby doesn’t get their sucking needs met that way.
- Power pump, which involves pumping multiple times over the course of a couple hours.
- Work with your doctor/lactation consultant to monitor baby’s weight as breast milk supply increases and formula supplementation is reduced. Keep track of wet/dirty diapers and other signs baby is getting enough to eat.
- Ask a lactation consultant about supplements that may help.
- Ask for help from those around you, and reach out to your breastfeeding peer counselor anytime you need support and encouragement. We hold a monthly support group that we'd love to have you join!
Your effort to relactate is amazing! Be proud of every ounce of breast milk you make!
SOURCE:
Mohrbacher, N. (2020). Breastfeeding Answers: A Guide for Helping Families (2nd Ed.) p. 666-676
Additional Resource:
https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/relactation/