Really need some help/support for relactating [Archive] - AmityMama.com

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Q:
02-15-2003, 11:44 AM
Hi all! I have to give a little background so you understand where I am coming from.

When i tried to bf my first child....several things went wrong...first off, I had a very negative emotional response to it...we later figure out that it was related to my past sexual molestation by step father. Second, I did not produce hardly any milk...we found out that this was due to my PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) so DS was constantly crying 24/7 cause he was hungry, and I was so emotionally out there that I actually got to the point where I would be physically ill when he cried to eat. I hated myself as a mother cause I could not stand the fact that at that point I hated my own child.

Fast forward to my other 3 births, I did not even want to chance going through that again...so they went straight on the bottle from birth. Through a debate board on another site, I learned about the lact-aid system if I wanted to try again with my 5th. I really did....but fortunately, it was un-necessary as I started leaking colostrum in my 7th month and had a pretty sufficient supply at birth....(well, enough so I only had to supplement a few ounces which was good enough for me) at birth, she had such a tiny mouth that we had horrible latch problems...she made me bleed before I even left the hospital and the LC could not even get her latched on the right way...I quit at 2 weeks, after trying the shields...only to start again 2 days later after ..and then I was fine. I was still really detached from her though, and that worried me. .well soon after that, she started being very fussy, not passing bowels, horrible gas, reflux etc...and we were diagnosed with overactive let down-foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. since we already were feeding on just one side, the only other thing I was told to try by LC and LLL was the on-top feeding, which did not help...finally at 6 weeks, we stopped BF.

NOw, I regret it horribly. I know she is doing well...she is happy now and does not have any of the problems mentioned above. But I just had finally gotten to the point where I was enjoying BF her. Is there hope? If i re-lactate, will the OALD come back? does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks for reading the novel!

A:
02-15-2003, 11:46 AM
:( WOW! :(
If you really want to try, here's some great info.......

Relactation Information! (http://pub80.ezboard.com/fbreastfeedingmomsfrm3.showMessage?topicID=47.topi c)
Read through it and let me know if you have any concerns or questions.
Good Luck hun.....HTH

A:
02-15-2003, 11:48 AM
You've had quite the time breastfeeding. I commend you for wanting to continue.

In order to help you better, I need to make sure I've got some information correct and I have some questions.

DD is 9 weeks old now?
Your last nursing/pumping session was at 6 weeks?
Have you attempted to put your dd to the breast?
If so, will she latch?
If you do have and/or are pumping, what type of pump are you using?
You do or do not have a Lact-Aid?
Are you seeing an IBCLC?

I too have a link I'd like for you to review. I don't know if it will help or not, but it's worth a shot!

http://www.obgyn.net/displayarticle.asp?page=/pcos/articles/childers-chats

There's no guarantee that your OALD won't return, however the chances are in your favor that it will not. Here's a link that discusses that situation.

http://www.kellymom.com/letdown.html#fast

A:
02-15-2003, 11:51 AM
I am certain you can get your milk supply back up again. I would highly recommend going to the LLL website and posting a help form. You will get great advice from a very credible source. Another thing I would try would be to use an SNS while breast feeding so that you get the stimulation needed for the milk to return and that way you also know that your daughter is getting something in the meantime. Then after you are done with a nursing session, pump for 5 mintues to increase the supply more.

I am not a LLL or a consultant but have had these types of nursing issues myself and would be more then happy to talk to you. Feel free to PM or email me.

Q:
02-15-2003, 11:56 AM
DD is 9 weeks old now? yes
Your last nursing/pumping session was at 6 weeks? yes
Have you attempted to put dd to the breast? yes
If so, will she latch? yes, and she will suck for a while still
If you do have and/or are pumping, what type of pump are you using? I have the Medela Pump In Style
You do or do not have a Lact-Aid? I don't have one, but I have access to one through a friend
Are you seeing an IBCLC? no, we do have LC through the hospital where I delivered and they are really good.

I did not have a chance to check your link yet, but it is the one from a LC discussing PCOS and the problems with BF?? If so, I have read that one, and it is excellent! that is how we know what caused my problems before.

Thanks so much for all your help, I will go to LLL site and post the help form too.

A:
02-15-2003, 11:58 AM
Yes, the first link I gave you is the discussion on PCOS. I'm glad you've read it, I agree it's very good.

Thank you for taking the time to answer those questions. Here are my suggestions....

- Offer to nurse her frequently. A sling may be helpful to do this while tending to other responsibilities. Try offering when she's sleepy, just wants to suck and when she's not especially hungry. Try to get a few minutes with her before her bottle - you'll need to catch her a little early for that.

- Pump whenever you get the time. Try to pump for at least 10 mintes - even if nothing comes out. It's the nipple stimulation that you need right now.

- Consider getting that Lact-Aid. Discuss proper use with your LC. The Lact-Aid works well because it gives you the nipple stimulation you need to make milk while allowing Baby to get the nourishment she needs.

- Oatmeal has been know to help mom's boost their supply. You can read about it at this link.

http://www.kellymom.com/herbal-rem_n.html#oatmeal

- You may want to consider herbal remedies. Here are links to the most popular. Discuss the use of herbal remedies with your LC before trying them.

http://www.kellymom.com/herbal-rem_f.html#fenugreek

http://www.kellymom.com/herbal-rem_a.html#bthistle

http://www.kellymom.com/herbal-rem_a.html#byeast

http://www.kellymom.com/herbal-rem_j.html#milktea

http://www.kellymom.com/herbal-rem_j.html#moremilk

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Q:
02-15-2003, 11:59 AM
we are getting a SNS through WIC on Thursday...but luckily, I have a friend who induced 2 lactations and has one I can borrow until then and she also has some Domperidone that she is giving me to help induce the lactation.

Luckily, dd is still willing to latch on and suck, and is getting to where she wants it more...

A:
02-15-2003, 12:00 PM
just wanted to know how the relactation was going. I relactated when my ds was 2 months old. Hope all is going well