The Relactation Process: A Commitment to Restart Breastfeeding

It was a decision we didn’t take lightly – to return to breastfeeding through the process of relactation. The journey was not easy, and there are many relactation tips and tricks to consider if you find yourself in a similar situation. We invite you to join us on this enlightening journey of increasing milk supply and overcoming challenges, all with a healthy dose of breastfeeding support along the way.

The Power of Support: A Key Relactation Tip

If there’s one thing we learned early on, it’s the value of a strong support team. Whether it’s your partner, a lactation consultant, your pediatrician, or a community of other breastfeeding mothers, having people who can help guide, encourage, and reassure you is priceless. La Leche League International, for example, provides a wealth of resources and a supportive community for those undertaking the relactation journey.

Tackling Common Challenges Head On

• Physical Discomfort: One of the first challenges you may face is physical pain. It’s important to remember that discomfort can be normal while your body readjusts to breastfeeding, but significant pain is a signal that something isn’t right. Check that your baby latches correctly and consult with a lactation consultant if the pain persists.
• Patience: Relactation does not happen overnight. It’s normal for it to take several weeks, or even months for your milk supply to adequately rebuild. Stay patient and be persistent in your efforts.
• Taking Care of Yourself: It’s easy to focus so much on your baby that you forget to take care of yourself. A healthy diet, plenty of fluids, and rest will help keep your health optimal and aid your body in increasing milk supply. Remember, your well-being is crucial in this journey.

Keeping your baby close, practicing skin-to-skin contact, and letting your little one nurse often are also crucial. They stimulate your body to produce milk and create a bond with your baby. According to Healthy Children, skin-to-skin contact and frequent nursing sessions can enhance milk production.

Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Professional Help

If your efforts aren’t yielding the expected results, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Lactation consultants can provide personalized advice, evaluate your nursing techniques, and even address any underlying issues that might be affecting your milk production. We personally found some helpful guidance in this Relactation guide by Idaho Public Health.

While Juggling Financial Responsibilities

Trying to relactate while balancing a budget? We’ve been there, too. It’s a challenge, but with careful planning, it’s possible. For instance, instead of purchasing a new nursing bra, consider converting an existing one. We also began to see the savings from not having to buy formula, which can be quite expensive. For more budgeting tips with a growing family, visit our Budgeting with a Growing Family post.

A Deeper Look at Relactation Techniques

As you venture on your journey of relactation, you’ll likely encounter various techniques designed to stimulate milk production. These include:

• Pumped Breast Milk and Supplemental Nursing Systems (SNS): Pumped breast milk can help stimulate your natural milk production while an SNS, a device that allows your baby to nurse while receiving supplemental milk, encourages your baby to stay at the breast.
• Galactogogues: These are substances that naturally increase milk supply. Some common ones include fenugreek, brewer’s yeast, and Blessed thistle, which can be found in most health stores. Healthline has a comprehensive list of effective galactogogues.
• Frequent Feeding/ Pumping: Stimulating the breasts often through feeding and pumping can also help increase your supply. It’s recommended to breastfeed or pump every two to three hours.
• Reversed Cycling: This involves feeding your baby more at night when prolactin levels – the hormone responsible for milk production – are highest.

Finding Balance: Juggling Relactation with Work and Family Life

One of the biggest challenges we faced was the constant juggle of family life, work commitments, and the demands of relactation. But, remember, having a well-structured routine and establishing boundaries can significantly ease the pressure. Creating a designated “quiet time” for nursing, making certain periods off-limits for chores, and exchanging night feeds with your partner can all aid in creating a more balanced, manageable routine. Reading success stories about relactation from other mothers at Breastfeeding Mama Talk also helped us keep a positive mindset.

The Rewards of Relactation: More Than Just Nutrition

The rewards of successfully relactating are plentiful – it provides your baby with optimal nutrition, aids in bonding, and can bring immense satisfaction to you as a mother. While giving a bottle is certainly convenient, nothing matches the unique connection and benefits breastfeeding gives. Have a look at Cleveland Clinic for more on the benefits of relactation.

What if Relactation Doesn’t Work?

Remember, although every effort to relactate is noble and commendable, it may not always result in a full milk supply. Some mothers may manage to re-establish a partial milk supply while others may not be able to lactate again. It’s important to remember that you’ve not failed. Feeding your baby should be an enjoyable experience, irrespective of the method used. For an even more in-depth look at the challenges of relactation, check out this helpful post on the Health Service Executive website.

We urge you to keep pressing onwards. Sometimes, progress takes a while to appear but know that every drop counts and every effort made is already a success.