can you prepare for breastfeeding?

Yes, very much! I'm so glad that i'm not the only one.

it's not os much that they don't support it, it's just that they don't really push it. they pretty much just go either way with it. They don't seem to offer very much information, and they don't really encourage breast or bottle, in fact i've only even been asked about it once at my doctors. She just asked me if I planned on breastfeeding, and this was very early on, so I said I thought so and i wanted more information, and she just wrote it down in the chart or something and never mentioned it again.

but oh well, I pretty much feel like i'm on my own to figure most things out for myself anyway. I just wish that there was someone to really push me in the right direction.

 

I would be, yes. Is that possible? Nothing comes out when I squeeze the nips anymore.

 

MoonFlower, I can help talk you through relactating....You're going to want a good galactogogue (milk-maker). Fenugreek capsules or reglan, if you can get a prescription. You're also going to want a good hospital-quality breastpump (I recommend a Medela Lactina).

Eat and drink healthy, take vitamins, pump every two-three hours on both sides (i did 20 minutes each side). Take the galactogogues (I took 3 capsules, three times a day). You should see at least something within a week. And don't be discouraged if it takes a while. This process is hard work! But well worth it if you can get anything out!

Also, try to offer your breast to Alexis as a pacifier. When she's chill (when she first wakes up or as she's going to sleep), offer your breast. If she rejects it, fine. Don't push the issue, but offer again at another occasion. Try to find an SNS, if you feel comfortable. This will allow Alexis to have her formula at the same time that she is suckling at your breast and stimulating your milk supply.

YOU CAN DO IT!

 

I relactated after supplementing my first baby with formula made my milk go away (that, combined with her having tongue tie and not being able to nurse effectively). It wasn't easy, but if you have any questions, pm me anytime. herbs did not work at all, pumping did eventually, but it wasn't easy. www.kellymom.com is the best online source of breastfeeding information. use the search feature to find the articles about relactation.


Kmarie - check out the kellymom link, too! Surround yourself with supportive people, even if you have to find them at LLL meetings or online or somewhere else. absolutely refuse to talk to anyone who has anything negative to say about breastfeeding. You have to believe in yourself. It might not be easy, but you can do it, given the necessary support and good information. Most important is to educate yourself, so you can ignore all the lies/mistruths people want to tell you about breastfeeding. Remember that even doctors know very little about human lactation, if you need help, ever, seek out a board certified (IBCLC) lactation consultant. And sometimes it doesn't hurt to have two, three, or even more than that to turn to for different perspectives on things.

 

Right! Same for people who love to tell "Labor Horror Stories" you need to surround yourself with positivity at this time.

Moon, you can PM me, or any of the other mamas here about relactation, if you are interested. It hasn't been that long, and some mamas are very successful at it, especially if they had milk before they quit.