Relactation. Help and advice needed.

[Haribosmum]

When I was pregnant with DS2 I was determined to b/f for at least 6 months. Things started off well but at 2 weeks he started to refuse breastmilk (off the breast and expressed in a bottle). My Health visitor at the time was not very helpful and just told me to put him on formula which i reluctantly did. However I have just moved house and got a new Health Visitor who has been VERY supportive of me trying to re-establish b/f. (Buy this time I was feeling very guilty about giving up and felt I had let ds2 down and still I do - I'm really depressed about it). I still have a little milk but not enough it seems for my son to want to latch on for any period of time. I also have 2 Medela Mini-Electric pumps (don't ask!) but they are not powerful enough to express what is there and so my milk supply is not increasing at all after 2 weeks. I have decided to rent an Medela Symphony pump and see if that works any better but I was just wondering if anyone else has been through this and had any advice? Thanks.

Haribosmum - I often suggest Domperidone as we prescribe that for women in our hospital but it will not work without expressing at least 8 times a day as Tiktok suggested. It is a good idea to set the alarm and express during the night too. How old is your DS2 BTW?

If you are not having success with the pump have you tried hand expressing? That gives greater stimulation than the pump - I will post a link when I find it. It is possible to relactate but it does take a lot of effort. You definitely need support from a breastfeeding counsellor to help you. Good luck.

hand expressing

The Breastfeeding Network (BFN) - Supporter Line 0870 900 8787 - The service operates from 9.30am to 9.30pm every day of the year.

La Leche League Great Britain - 0845 120 2918

National Childbirth Trust - 0870 444 8708 - 9am to 6pm, seven days a week.

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers' - 0870 401 7711 - Open every day from 9.30am to 10.30pm

Fennel tea is a galactagogue (promotes milk production) as are all the herbs of the Umbelliferae family like fennel, dill, caraway, aniseed. You can eat them and drink the herbal teas. You can also use essential oil of fennel in a dilution on your breasts and in the bath. Dilute 3 drops of the essential oil to 10ml of a plain vegetable oil carrier (like sunflower oil) and rub into your breasts straight after feeding / pumping and wipe off any residue before next feed /pump session.

Also, in Reflexology, the area for your breasts is on the top of your foot, just below where your toes join the main part of your foot. Use the width of two finger and massage across and back (with your thumb on the bottom of your foot for support / leverage).

And don't forget lots of babymooning.

Learnt that term recently and been waiting for an excuse to use it. As mears and tiktok have said.... express express express as well as breastfeeding. So... babymooning. Lots of time spent with baby at the breast.

Thanks for all your support guys!It means so muc and gives me the encouragement to go on.

Mears - DS2 is 10 weeks on monday.

I am pumping as often as I can and offering the breast to DS2 as well.He actually suckled for 15 mins last night so he must be getting something now (previously he would just oull away and cry). Oh and I actually squirted milk in his face yesterday when I squeezed to see if there was anything there! I'm taking that as a good sign.

Anyway I'll keep you all posted.

I really want to get this right so I can go back to the doctors and blow a big raspberry in her face!

Thats absolutely SUPERB, WoooooHooooo Progress.. Fantastic.

You will be seeing that Stupid Dr before you know it!!

You must be so proud of yourself

Every time I see this I think of kirsty and phil!

haribo - good for you - how lovely that your baby is beginning to like mummy's breast

Fantastic!

Oh and when I did my 8.45am pump (2nd of day!) the milk definatly came out easier and quicker. Not loads or squirts but still better than nothing eh?

Haribo - relactation is working for you, that's for sure!!

This is really inspirational - not just because of the benefits of bf, but in a feminist way - woman taking control of her own body etc!
Great stuff Haribosmum - all the best!

Hi Haribosmum

This is my first time on Mumsnet and was v interested in your posting as I am going through exactly the same as you with my 2nd daughter who is 3 weeks old tomorrow.

Unfortunately the same thing happened with my first and due to the stress I gave up trying after only 3 weeks.(sad)

This time I am calmer and thought I would be able to do it but no, hardly enough milk to sustain a gnat! Still, I take comfort in your brilliant efforts and am going to keep trying. Thanks for the inspiration. (grin)

MaJervis, if you start another thread, then maybe you will get some responses that would help you in your situation, and with more details, we could maybe help you understand why you had the problems you did.

Thank you Tiktok, I'll do that. Have just spent the last 3/4 hr pumping all for 0.5oz........

fab news, keep at it haribosmum when you get enough go and tip a bottle of it over your stupid doctor's head.... revenge for yesterdays comments!!!!

I know I might be starting to sound like a broken record now but ds2 breastfed again this morning and then only took 3oz formula (instead of 5oz). Woohoo progress!

califrau - are you pompoms the shape of boobs ?