Is it possible to start Breastfeeding after initially Bottlefeeding?

[babytoo]

Has anyone breastfed their babies successfully after starting with bottlefeeding? Just wondering if it would be possible to do...get milk back in somehow and give it a go...

[elissas]

Hi babytoo,

Anything is possible. I recommend contacting the Australian Breastfeeding Association and discuss it with someone. They have email and phone counselling which doesn't cost anything, or you may prefer to find a lactation consultant.

To give you an idea of what is possible, do a search for relactation on the net. There are instances of mothers who's babies have been carried by surrogates, who are able to breast feed successfully after achieving lactation. A close friend of mine started lactating again 4 years after her milk had dried up, just out of the blue!!

So yes, it is possible, but the success will depend on how you approach it, your level of determination and commitment, and the support you get.

Good luck :fingerscrossed:

[JanetF]

Yes! Lots of women! Women who've never even been pregnant and adopt their babies can breastfeed them! In your case it's called relactation and it's a great choice :D :smiliedance:

Try these too and let us know how you go! :yelclap:

http://www.pregnancy.org/article.php?sid=819

Relactation is definitely possible, but many are unfamiliar with it, even doctors. In one survey of 366 women who relactated, most of the mothers surveyed established a full milk supply within a month. It took another 25% of the mothers more than a month to fully relactate. The remaining 25% both nursed and gave suppplements until their baby weaned. Mothers who attempted relatation within two months of childbirth reported greater milk production than those who attempted it later on.

http://www.artofbreastfeeding.com/relact.html
Can There Be Breastfeeding After Weaning?

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBNovDec00p208.html
Back to the Breast

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBMarApr94p43.html
Starting Over

http://www.lact-aid.com/rpt025.htm
Relactation: One Alternative to Untimely Weaning

There is a 1998 World Health Organisation document titled "Relactation: A review of experience and recommendations for practise", a 42 page PDF. Great diagrams and explanations of milk supply related to prolactin and a comprehensive list of factors which influence success of relactation and also discussion of drugs which may increase milk supply.
http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/publications/NUTRITION/WHO_CHS_CAH_98.14.htm
http://www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/New_Publications/NUTRITION/WHO_CHS_CAH_98_14.pdf

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBSepOct93p135.html
An adoptive breastfeeding story of starting to breastfeed a 6 month old child. Nursing Julia: My Supreme Challenge By Darillyn Starr Mantua, Utah, USA from: New Beginnings, Vol. 10 No. 5, September-October 1993, pp. 135-136. Darillyn has breastfed her six adopted children http://www.fourfriends.com/abrw/Darillyn's/personal_history.htm

Adoptive Breastfeeding forum that has a whole heap of practical tips re: lactation which would also be useful for relactation.
http://www.fourfriends.com/abrw/forum/index.php

Relactation and Induced Lactation resources and links from the kellymom website
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/adopt/re...-resources.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/relactation.html Summary of information

[Oscar's mum]

Those links are awesome Janet!:thumbsup:

[Mum2Lucas]

I know people who have done it. i know people who have had a supply line i think its called where the formula is placed in a baggy thing around your shoulder and a little tube going to the nipple so that when the baby sucks your nipples are stimulated and eventually your milk will come back in and you wont need it anymore. hope this helps.

[kuz78au]

Hello!
I successfully did it for a while but for other reasons (PND and surgery etc) I had to stop permanently this time.

I stopped b/f when bub was 1 week old. Then my milk magically came back about 4 weeks after stopping. So I tried again and my supply was building up well! It might take some time but you do need a lot of determination and stamina. I hired a private LC and she was fantastic! It can be done and I wish you all the best with it! :thumbsup: The most important thing is to keep the stimulation up, baby sucking is the best stimulation! :p

PS. Those links are great! :yelclap:

[chillifly]

Hi babytoo,

Mu bub didn't know how to suck when she was born, and was fed with a tube down her nose :( until we got her sucking on the bottle (wouldn't go the breast). I had very little milk (no stimulation) and she wouldn't take to the breast at all (screamed like a banshee every time I tried to put her on!).

I took motilium and fenugreek to build up my supply (which worked well - have also heard that milk thistle and maxolon and good for this as well) and continued to offer the breast before each feed. After a while I stopped trying to attach her on to it and just let her suck/lick/play around. This stimulated my supply and eventually she got the idea and attached herself, and now she goes gangbusters on the boob. That said, she'll also take a bottle quite easily.

Takes perserverence and patience, but you can definitely do it! Good luck! :fingerscrossed:

Cheers