Lost milk supply

Kinda a long story but the short half is my daughter was born at 24 weeks so I wasn't able to breast feed her I had to pump. She was on a ventilator for so long I had to pump for 4 1/4 months I tried taking all different kinds of herbs drinking water all day long (I was drinking over a gallon a day) I ate food that I was told would help my milk supply but nothing worked. I watched my milk supply drop slowly and until I had nothing. I was told by a nurse that it happens sometimes when you are pumping because your body is meant to make milk for your baby not a machine. Well my daughter is home now and when i hold her she well try to get to my breast. I want to breast feed her so is there a way to try to get my milk supply back?

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Asked by Anonymous at 12:40 PM on Feb. 16, 2012 in Babies (0-12 months)

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Just keep trying to get her to latch on. Chances are that your supply isn't really gone for baby but for the pump. Pumping is hard and I never got as much from pumping where I'd be overflowing when nursing. I would have her nurse, then supplement her as needed and then pump. It will be tiring, but it you really want to do, I say go for it.

I would also consult with a lactation consultant and La Leche League. They are there to help you.

Answer by balagan_imma at 12:46 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
Credits: 52885 Level 32 Babies (0-12 months) Minor

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My sister is friends with a gal who breast-feeds her adopted babies. She gets her milk to come in by taking Fenegreek (it's a herb - you can get it in capsule form and I think in a tincture as well) and pumping a couple times a day. I think she said she's able to get her milk to come in in just a few days. It's probably worth checking into

Answer by daylily888 at 12:48 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
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Absolutely! It is entirely possible to relactate. Just put her to your breast as often as she wants. It is the stimulation and the hormones that releases that help your body to produce milk. You won't make all the milk she needs right away, but you can get to that point again. Between trying to nurse, you can pump to help make the process faster. Even if you don't get anything out, you are getting that stimulation and hormone release. Best of luck to you!

Answer by Mom-2-3-Girlz at 12:48 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
Credits: 69315 Level 34 Babies (0-12 months) Minor

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Yep. Fenugreek and water and latch that baby girl on! Lol. Best wishes!=)

Answer by Caoimhe_Oona at 1:15 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
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If she's looking to nurse, let her! THAT will bring in milk. If she is exclusively FF now, it'll take a little longer, but you can start by allowing her to nurse before usual feeding times. Meet with an IBCLC if you can, find your local LLL and go to meetings and get advice from leaders. You CAN do this if it is what you want.

Answer by Krysta622 at 1:29 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
Credits: 15396 Level 23 Babies (0-12 months) Degree

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let her nurse even if nothings coming out, you can give her a bottle afterward. then pump after that. hot showers always made me leak really really bad so when you shower stay in a little longer & massage your breasts under the hot water. have you tried contacting la leche league? or is there a group that meets in your area? good luck.

Answer by 25MamaBear1986 at 1:44 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
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keep nursing hourly, have lots of skin-to-skin contact with your baby, take brewers yeast tablets

Answer by rkoloms at 4:05 PM on Feb. 16, 2012
Credits: 72474 Level 35 Babies (0-12 months) Major

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Look into a supplemental nursing system to help feed her at the breast while your supply is increasing. Also, go to www.kellymom.com, lots of resources there that will help you. Congrats on bringing your baby home!

Answer by lifetimelove at 3:08 AM on Feb. 17, 2012
Credits: 1054 Level 13 Babies (0-12 months) 101

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