Relactation is when you start breastfeeding again after stopping. This could be after a gap of weeks or months.
Many mothers find it hard to establish breastfeeding because of difficulties such as:
- lack of access to accurate information
- lack of support
- medical reasons
If you want to try breastfeeding again, you can get support.
Where to find support
Your public health nurse can refer you to the lactation nurse or midwife in the community or maternity hospital.
You can also find support by joining a breastfeeding support group. Talk to other mothers about why you stopped or never started breastfeeding. They may be able to give you advice.
How milk is produced
Milk production depends things such as:
- your baby's age and readiness to breastfeed again
- how often you breastfeed or express milk
- if you were pregnant or breastfed before
It can also depend on health reasons, such as:
- medical conditions - for example, thyroid problems or diabetes
- any damage to your chest, breasts or nipples - for example, surgery, burns or other injuries
- any damage to the pituitary gland in your brain (a gland which produces the hormones needed for breastfeeding)
- infertility
You also need practical and emotional support from people around you.
How lactation works
During pregnancy, the milk-making cells and ducts in your breasts enlarge and multiply.
Early in pregnancy you begin to produce your first breast milk (colostrum). This is low volume milk, high in protein and antibodies.
After giving birth, the amount of breast milk you make slowly increases in response to your baby's suckling on the breast. The hormones prolactin and oxytocin also help you produce milk.
Relactation is stimulating the breasts to produce milk again. This is if you have breastfed before but left a gap.
It's also possible to breastfeed if you have never given birth before. This process is called induced lactation. For example, you may want to breastfeed your adopted baby. Or you may have a baby in a same-sex relationship and wish to feed your newborn.
How to induce lactation
It's possible to induce lactation successfully and bring in your milk supply.
It can take anything from several days to a few weeks to produce a few drops of milk.
To help stimulate lactation:
- use hand-expression or a breast pump
- put your baby to your breast to suck at each feeding and for comfort between feeds as often as possible
- hold your baby close to your breast when bottle-feeding and use a slow flow bottle teat
Planning and support can make induced lactation easier. Contact a lactation specialist as early as possible.
Using a supplementer
You can also wear a supplementer to help induce lactation. This is a way to give your baby formula or expressed breast milk as they feed on the breast.
A supplementer has:
- a container that holds the milk
- tubing that carries the milk from the container to your nipple
When your baby suckles at the breast, milk is drawn through the tubing to their mouth. At the same time, it stimulates your breast and removes the milk you have made.
Taking medicine
Some hormonal, herbal and dietary treatments can also help stimulate milk production.
If you are adopting a baby, you can induce lactation using oral contraceptives. Talk to a breastfeeding specialist or your GP for more information.
Learning to breastfeed
Breastfeeding may be a new experience for your baby. They may take to it quickly or need time and patience to get used to it.
Breastfeeding may be a new experience for you too.
How to get breastfeeding off to a good start
Close contact
Offer lots of close contact to help your baby associate it with comfort. Skin-to-skin contact is very important.
Try breastfeeding your baby:
- before they are too hungry
- when they are sleepy - this may help them respond instinctively to the sensation of being held at the breast
- when they need to comfort suck (instead of using a soother)
Supplementing breastfeeds
At first, you will need to supplement the breastfeeds. This means giving your baby other milk until your milk production increases. You can do this with formula or expressed breast milk.
If you have expressed breast milk, give this first before you give your baby any infant formula. Do not mix the two together.
Monitoring weight gain
Have a healthcare professional check that your baby is gaining weight. Keep a check on their wet and dirty nappies to reassure yourself they are getting enough milk.
How to tell if your newborn is getting enough breast milk
Breastfeed often
You may need patience to get your baby to breastfeed well. If they are willing, offer the breast every 1 to 2 hours and at least 10 to 12 times every 24 hours.
Do not give them a soother. Let them breastfeed for comfort as well as food. This will help to stimulate milk production.
Encourage night-time and frequent evening nursing. Breastfeeding at this time can be particularly good at increasing milk production.
You can use a soft carrier or sling to keep your baby close and encourage breastfeeding.
If it does not work out
Relactation and induced lactation are hard work and take a lot of time and patience.
Whatever happens, be proud. Every single drop of breast milk you gave your baby is beneficial.