Please support me in restarting bf

[dizzee]

Today I am restarting bf my 3 month old ds after one month of complete ff. I am being realistic and will be treating any milk production as a success. I am not aiming for exclusive bf as I have not managed that since he was 5 days old . He is a happy, healthy baby and is doing well on formula. However I have bitterly regretted by decision to give up bf, so I'm determined to have a good go at relactation. Even if it fails I will know I've tried my best.

The plan:

1. Pump every two hours for 15 mins with double pump. Plus once in the night.

1. DS will still latch and nurse a bit. I've bought a supplemental nursing system which should arrive tomorrow. Hopefully this will encourage nursing.

1. Take fenugreek capsules.

I'm prepared to try my hardest for a month, so please all support me as it is going to be hard work .

My boobs are weird too. The left one is my massive milk-producing boob. But it doesn't let go very well for the pump. Whereas my right one doesn't produce quite as much, but lets it all go for the pump. They even look different. In fact, if you look at them when I'm naked (not that I'd want you to, LOL) they look like "before" and "after". My right one is still somewhat perky. The left, not so much. I think it's because DS was permanently attached to my left boob for the first 12 weeks of his life. So he stretched it out somewhat.

Well odne Dizzee.
What maazing tenacity you have!

Can I ask about the domperidone/motilium please? I have googled them both and found them to be an anti sickness drug. How does this increase your supply? Asking as I hope to bf no3 after 2 failed attempts following my breast reduction.
Dizzee and disenchanted, you have been an inspiration .

Domperidone is a drug that increases breast milk production as a side-effect. Its main use is as a gastrointestinal medication. But it also has the effect of stimulating the production of prolactin in the pituitary gland of the brain. Prolactin in turn stimulates milk production in the cells of the breasts. So increasing milk production is an "off-label" use of domperidone (meaning it's a useful side effect). Domperidone is probably used to stimulate breast milk production at least as often as it's used for the GI tract.

Thanks for that Jacksmama, very interesting.

You're welcome! Good luck with bf-ing #3!! If you have any milk ducts left over after your reduction, domperidone should help you get the most out of them... so to speak .

Dizzee I read a wonderful post about someone re-starting BF - let me see if I can find it

read first post by determination

May or may not be relevant!

When do I need to investigate Domperidone? Is it from the GP?

I believe you can get it over-the-counter from your local chemist without a prescription - at least that is what I gathered from someone else's post on here (I'm not in the UK so don't know for sure) but if not, yes, your GP will be able to prescribe it for you. Good luck!!

Well done dizzee

Just wanted to see if you knew that you can insert the SNS after latching your baby on (if they will co-operate)? Lots of mums say this is easier than latching their baby on with the tube taped in place. There's a video on Dr Jack Newman's site called Inserting a lactation aid.

suwoo -domperidone is sold over the counter as motilium, but not for the purpose of increasing milk supply. It would also work out very very expensive. Probably best to talk to a GP who's supportive of bf, and you might want to consider getting some support for yourself from one of the national bf orgs first. There's info on domperidone here

Just wanted to see how you've been doing Dizzee? Hope you're ok...

Dizzee I think you are amazing to do this - I just started with an SNS too - not to restart bf, but because my baby is not gaining much weight (she´s 8.5 weeks old) and I donñt want to give up bf, but need to give her formula top-ups at night, as i don´t seem to have much milk, and want my boobs to still be stimulated to feed her.

Which tube are you using? they said to try the med one first, but took an hour to take 40ml (EBM), so i will try wide one tonight.

I hope all goes well for you, you´re doing the best for your baby!