Booby Experts...I need help!

Does anyone know if it's possible to start breastfeeding again after you've stopped for a week?  I'm pretty much dried up, but my little girl is having such a terrible time on formula that I wish I'd just kept nursing her.  I heard somewhere that if you drink a beer it will help bring your milk back.  Has anyone heard of that?  Help!

Hi Jill- I have heard of people doing that. I tried all kinds of things to get my milk supply up when I was having a hard time. It worked a little for me, but my milk was never in abundance. You may have better luck. First, I tried fenugreek and alfafa- I think blessed thistle works also. You can check on the internet for the dosing- I can't remember exactly. Also, you can get your doc to give you a prescription for reglan (I also tried this and it helped some- my sister-in-law used it and it worked really well for her). There is also a drug that is a prescription that you have to get at a compound pharmacy- it isn't FDA approved though so your doc may not want to go that route. It's called domperidone. I had the best luck with it. You can find info on the internet about it. Herbal/health stores also have a blend called mother's milk that is a combo of the fenugreek/alfafa and some other stuff. If I am not mistaken in one of my breastfeeding books they talked about women who were about to adopt and they wanted to bf. Some were able to get their supply to come in so I'm sure you can do it if it's only been a week! Also, keep her nursing to stimulate milk production. Pump when you can as well. Hope this helps!

Mandy

I know this might sound crazy, but I've heard that drinking a beer will really increase your milk supply. 

Oh, also do a google search for relactation. I just did and it brings up bunches of info!!

Hey Jill.  It may be worth trying again.  Ella Clare is doing better now on BM.  She gets some formula (as you know) but she is mostly BM.  I do have to be careful about what I eat since she is already sensitive to almost everything.  I would suggest letting her nurse on you as much as possible (even if there is nothing there) and pump after each nusring for 15 mins and giveher a bottle til you get the milk back.  Even if you don't get it back enough to exclusively BF, anything that you get would be great for her.   I would recommend renting a hospital grade pump.  They are better than any you can buy especially for re-establishing a milk supply.  I reget taking mine back last month because the Pump in Style just doesn't do it for me and my supply has gone down already.   I have supply trouble and take fenugreek (two pills three times a day).   I took Domeridone last time, but haven't tried it this time.  I bought it thru a canadian pharmacy.  My Ob didn't even bat an eye when I told him I was taking it.  I have read alot about it on the internet.  You may want to read about it too.  But I think the key is too stimulate your breasts thru nursing and pump as often as you can during the day.  You may want to contact the LLL in your area because their advice will be free.  Also, my local hospital gives free BF advice.  I also go on the LL website message boards. You can post questions and LL Leaders can answer your questions.   It is such a great resource that I wish I had used when nursing my DS.  I almost stopped about four times so far since ELla was born, but I am happy now that I kept going.  I hope that you can get your supply back... one week isn't very long~  Good Luck and happy Pumping!!!  Lora

I am having supply issues and have with all 3 kids. The other day, someone told me to drink red raspberry tea, and she said I should be able to tell as soon as overnight. I had heard of the tea for bringing on labor, but not for this, but she gave me some, and I gave it a try.

I have to say, my daughter seemed to be gulping and swallowing way more the next day.

I know pumping helps people, but it never seemed to "let down" when I pumped.

Good luck to you, let us know how it goes.

Jill, Here's the link for the "relactation" message board on the LLL website.  Hope it helps!

http://lalecheleague.org/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=50