Breastfeeding provides numerous benefits to both mothers and babies, fostering a deep bond and contributing to the baby's health. However, for various reasons, some mothers may stop breastfeeding temporarily or permanently. If you're considering reestablishing breastfeeding after stopping, it is possible with patience, dedication, and the right approach. In this guide, we'll explore the process of relactation, offering helpful tips and strategies, including the use of pumps like the MomMed S21 wearable pump, to support your journey.

Why Restart Breastfeeding?

Health Benefits for the Baby

Breast milk is considered the gold standard of nutrition for babies. It provides essential nutrients, antibodies, and enzymes that help protect the baby from infections and diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, and continuing for up to two years or more. Restarting breastfeeding gives your baby a renewed opportunity to benefit from these invaluable nutrients and immune-boosting properties.

Bonding with the Baby

Breastfeeding is not only about nutrition—it’s also an essential bonding experience between mother and baby. The physical closeness, skin-to-skin contact, and the act of nurturing help create a strong emotional connection. Restarting breastfeeding can reignite this bond, which is crucial for both the baby’s development and the mother’s well-being.

Practical Reasons

There may also be practical reasons for restarting breastfeeding. For instance, you might want to increase your baby’s intake of breast milk as they grow or if formula feeding is proving to be costly or inconvenient. Relactation might also be a way to provide additional comfort to your baby, especially during times of illness or teething.

Preparing for Relactation

Assess Your Current Milk Supply

Before diving into relactation, it's important to gauge your current milk supply. If you’ve been away from breastfeeding for a while, it’s natural for your body to stop producing milk. However, even if your milk supply has dwindled, it’s still possible to get it back through consistent stimulation. The amount of milk your body produces will depend on factors like how long you've stopped breastfeeding and how your body reacts to relactation.

Consult a Lactation Expert

While it’s possible to restart breastfeeding on your own, consulting a lactation consultant can significantly increase your chances of success. A consultant can provide hands-on assistance with your baby’s latch, guide you on the most effective pumping techniques, and help you set realistic expectations for the relactation process. They can also help identify any underlying issues, such as incorrect latching or low milk production, that might be hindering your progress. You might also consider joining online breastfeeding support groups where you can connect with other mothers going through similar experiences.

Gather the Right Tools

To successfully relactate, you’ll need to gather the right tools. One of the most important tools is a reliable breast pump, such as the MomMed S21 wearable pump. The hands-free design allows you to pump discreetly throughout the day, making it easier to maintain a consistent pumping schedule. Using the MomMed double electric breast pump can also provide double the efficiency, ensuring both breasts are stimulated simultaneously to maximize milk production.

Additionally, stocking up on nursing pads, nipple creams, bottles and electric bottle brushes will make the process more comfortable. These tools will support your physical needs as you transition back into breastfeeding, ensuring your body stays nourished and comfortable during the relactation process.

Stimulating Milk Supply

Frequent Breast Stimulation

The key to relactation is frequent breast stimulation. Your body needs the signal to produce milk again, and the more often you stimulate your breasts, the more milk your body will start to produce. This can be done through nursing sessions, pumping, or a combination of both.

Using a Breast Pump

Using a reliable breast pump, such as the MomMed double electric breast pump, is essential when trying to relactate. Pumping frequently will encourage your body to produce milk, especially when direct breastfeeding is not yet feasible. The double pump feature ensures both breasts are emptied simultaneously, promoting optimal milk production.

Additionally, if you’re on the go, the MomMed S21 wearable pump is an excellent option. It’s portable, discreet, and hands-free, allowing you to pump while taking care of other tasks. This can be a game-changer when you’re trying to maintain milk production and keep up with daily responsibilities.

Skin-to-Skin Contact

Spending time with your baby through skin-to-skin contact can also help stimulate milk production. Holding your baby against your bare chest can trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone that helps with milk production and bonding. Even if your baby is not yet latching effectively, skin-to-skin contact is an important step in the relactation process.

Latching and Feeding the Baby

Encouraging the Baby to Latch

One of the most important aspects of relactation is encouraging your baby to latch. If your baby is having trouble latching after a period of not breastfeeding, consider using techniques such as the laid-back breastfeeding position or guided latching methods. If your baby is still not latching, you can try using a supplemental nursing system (SNS), which allows your baby to suck on a feeding tube while nursing, giving them additional milk while they practice latching.

Supplementing with a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS)

If your milk supply is still low, supplementing with a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) can be a helpful strategy. The SNS allows your baby to receive formula or expressed milk through a small tube that is placed alongside your nipple while breastfeeding. This encourages your baby to continue suckling at the breast, stimulating milk production while providing nourishment.

Set a Schedule

Relactation requires consistency, so setting a feeding and pumping schedule is essential. Aim to breastfeed or pump at least 8–12 times a day, including during the night. This frequent stimulation helps signal to your body that it needs to produce more milk.

Monitor Milk Supply

As you start the relactation process, it's important to monitor your milk supply and assess your progress. If you notice that your baby is not getting enough milk, supplementing with formula or using donor milk can ensure they receive the nourishment they need. Always consult a lactation expert or healthcare provider if you're unsure.

Nutrition and Self-Care

Proper nutrition and self-care play a key role in the success of relactation. Ensure you’re eating a balanced diet with plenty of fluids to support milk production. Also, try to manage stress and get enough rest, as these factors can influence milk supply.

Challenges and Solutions

Low Milk Supply

One of the main challenges mothers face when relactating is a low milk supply. This can be frustrating, but it’s important to stay patient. Low milk supply can occur if you’ve been away from breastfeeding for a long time, if there was a lack of stimulation to the breast, or if you’re experiencing stress. Here are some ways to address low milk supply:

• Frequent Stimulation: Pumping frequently (at least every 2-3 hours) can signal to your body that milk production needs to be ramped up. Using the MomMed S10 Pro double electric breast pump will help you stimulate both breasts at once, maximizing output.
• Herbal Supplements: Certain herbs, such as fenugreek, blessed thistle, and milk thistle, have been shown to increase milk supply. Check with your healthcare provider before using these supplements.
• Stay Hydrated and Nourished: Drinking plenty of fluids and eating a nutritious diet is essential for milk production. Include foods known to support lactation, such as oats, spinach, and flaxseeds, in your meals.
• Relaxation: Stress can affect your milk supply. Try to incorporate relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, into your daily routine to help reduce anxiety.

Baby’s Resistance to Latching

Another challenge is your baby’s resistance to latching after a period of bottle-feeding or formula feeding. Some babies may struggle to latch onto the breast if they’ve become accustomed to the bottle. Here are a few tips to overcome this resistance:

• Try Different Latching Techniques: Experiment with different latching positions and techniques, such as the laid-back breastfeeding position, which encourages the baby to latch naturally. It may take time, but with persistence, your baby can relearn how to latch.
• Use a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS): If your baby is not effectively getting milk from your breasts, an SNS can provide additional nutrition while your baby continues to practice latching at the breast. This system can be particularly helpful during the early stages of relactation.
• Practice Skin-to-Skin Contact: Hold your baby against your bare chest for skin-to-skin contact. This practice encourages the release of oxytocin, a hormone that helps milk production and fosters bonding. It also helps your baby get used to the sensation of breastfeeding.

Engorgement or Pain

Engorgement is common when you start breastfeeding again after a break. Your body may produce more milk than your baby is able to consume initially, leading to swelling, tenderness, or pain. Here are a few solutions for engorgement:

• Pump or Nurse Frequently: If you're experiencing engorgement, pumping or nursing frequently is key to alleviating discomfort. You may want to use the MomMed S21 wearable pump to provide regular stimulation discreetly.
• Use Warm Compresses: Applying a warm compress or taking a warm shower can help relieve the pressure in your breasts. This allows the milk to flow more freely.
• Hand Expressing: If the engorgement is particularly painful, try hand expressing a little milk before breastfeeding to soften the breast and make latching easier for your baby.
• Cold Compresses for Relief: If you’re experiencing pain from engorgement, applying a cold compress after breastfeeding can help reduce swelling and soothe discomfort.

Conclusion

Relactation is a gradual process that requires patience, persistence, and the right tools. By preparing adequately, stimulating your milk supply through consistent breastfeeding or pumping, and seeking support when necessary, you can successfully restart breastfeeding and provide your baby with the invaluable benefits of breast milk. With the right products like the MomMed S21 wearable pump and MomMed S10 Pro double electric breast pump, you can make the relactation process more manageable and effective. Always remember that every mother’s journey is unique, and seeking professional support can make all the difference in achieving a successful breastfeeding experience.