Relactation advice, can anyone help?

[newmother09]

Hello there,

I am a first time poster who really hopes someone may have some advice for me.

I had my DS1 11 weeks ago. He has been ff from birth, a descion that I regret bitterly. The reason was that my DH was very unsupportive of bf, every discussion ended in a row and I felt that I just could not do it without his support. At the tame he said he would not allow me to bf. After having DS by emcs there was no mw support in hospital, so I tried to latch lots of times but to no avail.

However, I cannot explain the sadness I have at not bf'ing. So much so, that my DH regrets his actions and is very sorry for his feelings before our DS was born.

So, I have been looking into relactation. I can get drops of milk from my left breast using hand expression and I try to latch DS, he will sometimes suck for 10-20 secs and then stop.

I would love to itroduce some bf to my son, I understand it will be hard work and will not give him lots of milk, but any would be a great bonus.

I would be so grateful if anyone can help/advise. I spoke to hv, she just said let him suck for a bit. I am sure there is more so it than that!

I think you need to see a lactation consultant asap. It is possible but you really need face to face professional advice. Good luck.

Sad story

Yes, relactation is possible.

First step for you is to call any of the bf helpines - they are listed on mumsnet in the useful stuff section, I think.

Good luck!

Thank you both for your replies.

I have managed to contact a lactation consultant in my area and will be meeting her next week.

just wanted to wish you all the luck you need to get going!

Yes good luck- I knew a woman who relactated after about 12 weeks and she said it was terrible hard work but after a few weeks her DS was totally BF. So it IS possible.

Good luck! Glad you have found a lactation consultant I am shocked at your husband's comments BTW, is he like this about other things?

Thank you for your encouraging comments.

Bertie - to be fair, my DH regrets his comments, and since having our baby has changed his mind about bf'ing. He comes from a background where bf'ing is not only uncommon but positively frowned upon. However, he is in full support of my need to try and relactate.

In hindsight, I should have found more information about BF whilst pregnant to present to DH, but I was pretty ill during my pregnancy and often in hospital due to a low placenta.

Interestingly, despite many appointments and inpatient stays, not one midwife discussed feeding with me, in fact the page in my notes which had a checklist as a guide for the midwife to complete when discussing feeding remained blank.

Anyhow, I cannot dwell on what has happened (have done far too much of that in the last 12 weeks). All energy must go into trying to get a supply for my DS and his interest in my breast!

Just wanted to wish you the very best of luck. It can be done for adopted babies, so with work and the right support, you'll hopefully be able to do it too. Keep us posted!