Have you ever induced lactation?
By LilyLoretta
@LilyBeBack (1994)
United Kingdom
November 24, 2016 4:13am CST
My milk stopped coming through about three months ago, due to stress, and since then I've made some flimsy attempts at restarting it but it's such a time consuming process, it feels almost impossible to do when you're on your own with a young baby.
I've decided to have one last go, so this morning I got up, changed Leonard and let him play for a bit until he got hungry, then instead of giving him his usual formula I latched him onto me and we're still here now, about half an hour later. As soon as he latches on, he closes his eyes and seems to be asleep apart from the suckling, so even though there's no milk yet I do at least know that he's getting psychological benefits from it.
This part is easy, what's going to be difficult is being able to express after every feed. I need to express for at least ten minutes on each side either after every feed or once every two-three hours, and with Leonard constantly wanting my attention, I don't know how or if I can do it, but I'm going to try my best
3 people like this
2 responses
@Orson_Kart (8250)
• United Kingdom
25 Nov 16
I expect only empathetic females and perverts to post on this discussion. 
I am no expert (unfortunately) but I thought once you stopped that was it and you couldn't start up again.
I am no expert (unfortunately) but I thought once you stopped that was it and you couldn't start up again.1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (8250)
• United Kingdom
25 Nov 16
@LilyBeBack 
Hey, I am so pleased you have replied to me as I was getting a little paranoid.
Leonard is a lucky boy to have suck a caring mum.
Hey, I am so pleased you have replied to me as I was getting a little paranoid.
Leonard is a lucky boy to have suck a caring mum.1 person likes this
@LilyBeBack (1994)
• United Kingdom
25 Nov 16
@Orson_Kart It only took me a few hours to reply! That's some serious paranoia 
"suck a caring mum"... Intentional pun or Freudian slip?
"suck a caring mum"... Intentional pun or Freudian slip?1 person likes this
@LilyBeBack (1994)
• United Kingdom
25 Nov 16
Well, I know you're not a female, soooo.....
Yeah, thankfully it's possible to start again, the only issue is that it's so time consuming, but it's worth it if I can find the time
So far I haven't had any chance to use the pump, but I've been latching him on before every bottle feed and hopefully that should be enough to make my body produce the hormones necessary for lactation.
Yeah, thankfully it's possible to start again, the only issue is that it's so time consuming, but it's worth it if I can find the time
So far I haven't had any chance to use the pump, but I've been latching him on before every bottle feed and hopefully that should be enough to make my body produce the hormones necessary for lactation.1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
24 Nov 16
It can be hard if there is a lot of stress around. I found that I had to give it up not because I did not have enough but because it was exhausting Doctor took one look at me and said that´s it no more of that. I had maybe too much milk and it was very hard to sway away too all the times that has happened to me. I have known others that have had to use a pump from the start to keep going. See if you can get it set up again and if not well I would leave it at that. Lovely name for a Boy and congrats too.
1 person likes this
@LilyBeBack (1994)
• United Kingdom
24 Nov 16
Thank you and same to you! 
I had a lot of milk right up to the day it stopped, it was all very sudden 
I was losing weight rapidly and always getting comments about how pale I looked, but I would have carried on if it was up to me.. Weirdly, he's just woken up and isn't hungry any more, so he must have got something out of me..
I had a lot of milk right up to the day it stopped, it was all very sudden I was losing weight rapidly and always getting comments about how pale I looked, but I would have carried on if it was up to me.. Weirdly, he's just woken up and isn't hungry any more, so he must have got something out of me..1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36847)
• Pamplona, Spain
24 Nov 16
@LilyBeBack
Could you have a teeny weeny bit of anemia? Just thinking that I lost weight too as he was very demanding and there was too much stress for me to be able to feed him in peace and quiet.
If you see that you cannot get past that I would put him onto a very good milk powder as there are some really good ones now I did not have any of that kind of help. I had to wade trhough it the best way I could.
Could be also that you have just a little left but maybe not enough. All I can suggest really take care.
1 person likes this
@LilyBeBack (1994)
• United Kingdom
24 Nov 16
@lovinangelsinstead21 I'm not sure about anaemia but I do remember now that at some point my doctor prescribed me iron supplements after a blood test, I know I need to look after myself but I haven't really, it's too easy to just focus on the baby and forget about yourself isn't it :-/
1 person likes this
