My milk supply was great until 3 months. My supply now has
stopped. I do express every day and only get about 10mls but its still there.
I really want to continue feeding my son with breast milk but I don’t know if
I can get my supply of milk back now? Can I do anything or take anything?
Everyone had said to rest and drinks plenty of water; I do drink lots of
water but don’t get to rest as I am on my own with my 5 months old son.
My son is just on formula now.



A It would appear from your description that you are giving your baby formula milk, expressing every day and getting 10mls which is not enough for your baby’s needs. You would like to increase your milk supply and continue feeding your baby. You do not say whether or not your baby is still sucking from the breast?

Many mothers have successfully relactated and there are several things that you can do, however, relactation requires time and effort and because of this you will need support and encouragement. You say that you are on your own with your baby and I suggest that you ask your health visitor for the encouragement and support you will need because you will have to devote most of your time for the next two weeks to increasing your milk supply. Plan to breast feed or express often at least eight to ten times per day that will be approximately every 2 hours and every three hours at night.
The other factor you need to think about is your baby’s willingness to take the breast again if he has not been given the opportunity for some time. This will depend on his basic temperament and the previous experiences of breast-feeding.

The following suggestions may help you to form a plan that suits you and re-establish your milk supply.

• If your baby is still being offered the breast for some feeds or for comfort it may be easier to restart lactation.
• Start the breast-feeding before offering supplements
• Pick a time when your baby is not too hungry or too sleepy
• Hold the bottle to the breast at the beginning of the feed and then switch over
• Wait until the baby is almost asleep and full from bottle and then slip out the bottle and replace it with the breast. After a few of these sleepy feedings, the baby will be more likely to take the breast while fully awake
• Try more skin-to-skin contact with your baby before feeds or milk expression as this may enhance your let down making your milk supply more effective Give lots of cuddling & skin to skin contact
• Choose a teat long enough so that the baby can draw it into the back of its mouth or where the breast should be during effective breast feeding Feed in breast feeding position
• At the beginning of a feed latch the baby onto the bottle as you would the breast. Touching the baby’s lips with the teat and waiting until he opens wide allow the baby to draw the teat well into his mouth instead of pushing it in The more familiar the process is to breast feeding the more easily the baby will make the transition to the breast again.
• Recent studies have shown that draining the breast more completely appears to be more effective in increasing the rate of milk production. Express or pump until two minutes after you see the last drop of milk. The more often he nurses the more effectively he will drain the breast
• Choose a warm private place free from distractions
• Make the times of feeding special by the attention and the closeness you give to your baby
  When used in combination with frequent nursing and or milk expression, certain prescription medicines that increase prolactin levels have been found to increase milk supply.
• One such prescribed medicine, which is safe to use is Domperidone. You will need to consult your Doctor about this.
• Fenugreek is one of the medicinal herbs recommended but as it lowers blood sugar it should be taken with caution in women with diabetes and asthma. It would be best to consult a qualified herbalist if you wish to explore this further.
  

The amount of food you eat or the amounts of fluids you drink have not been found to affect milk production, except under extreme circumstances, fatigue and tension can interfere with the letdown reflex. If you are tired and not eating well, your nutrition reserves and energy levels may go down and you may find it more difficult to cope so it is important that you look after yourself and get the help and support you need. It is also important that you check your baby’s weight regularly.

Health visitor

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