Some questions re: relactation - 10/24/02 06:53 PM
Hi everyone! I'm new to this board and have some questions about relactating.
I'm the mom of 3 -- ages 7, 5 and 8 weeks. I was never able to get the hang of breastfeeding with my first two babies and desperately want to do it with my newborn now. I got off to a pretty good start, but then had to stop due to 2 weeks of antibiotics that I was placed on. I tried to continue to pump, but ended up loosing most of my milk supply (which never really came in fully) because I wasn't diligent in pumping. My baby will still eagerly suck the breast even though she has been bottle supplemented since birth. She has a good latch, but pulls away screaming as soon as she realizes that nothing is coming out. Since I have decided to relactate (my milk has been gone for about 3-4 weeeks now), I have been pumping every 3 hours as well as taking blessed thistle, fenugreek, lots of liquids and oatmeal everyday for breakfast. I have just ordered my domperidone (which will be here sometime next week). Here are my questions:
1) Since it's only been about 3-4 weeks since I stopped nursing, is there a very good chance that the domperidone will give me back my milk supply (even though I hadn't had a full supply established at the time I stopped nursing)?
2) How long will it take to see an increased supply? I get maybe 1/2 tsp. each time I pump out of my left breast, with nothing coming out of my right breast. How long do moms usually stay on the domperidone? I've been pumping pretty steadily over the past 5-6 days and don't really see much of an increase in my milk supply. After how many days of constant pumping do you see an increase?
3) I'm using an Ameda pump (the Egnell Elite) now. I have read many posts about the Whittlestone pump and how great it was. I contact my LC (who's renting me my current pump) and she doesn't feel that it's necessary for me to change from the pump that I'm currently using. I also read about the PSI pump (I think that's what it was called) and that it was really good too. Does anyone know anything about the Ameda pump and whether or not I'd really see significantly better results if I switched over to either the Whittlestone or PSI pump??
4) Does the Lact-Aid help a lot? Is there a preference between the SNS and the Lact-Aid (as far as one being easier to use than the other)??
I previously posted these questions on another breastfeeding message board, but only got one response that answered one question. I was very disappointed. I'm hoping that I'll get more help on this site!
Thanks ladies!
I'm the mom of 3 -- ages 7, 5 and 8 weeks. I was never able to get the hang of breastfeeding with my first two babies and desperately want to do it with my newborn now. I got off to a pretty good start, but then had to stop due to 2 weeks of antibiotics that I was placed on. I tried to continue to pump, but ended up loosing most of my milk supply (which never really came in fully) because I wasn't diligent in pumping. My baby will still eagerly suck the breast even though she has been bottle supplemented since birth. She has a good latch, but pulls away screaming as soon as she realizes that nothing is coming out. Since I have decided to relactate (my milk has been gone for about 3-4 weeeks now), I have been pumping every 3 hours as well as taking blessed thistle, fenugreek, lots of liquids and oatmeal everyday for breakfast. I have just ordered my domperidone (which will be here sometime next week). Here are my questions:
1) Since it's only been about 3-4 weeks since I stopped nursing, is there a very good chance that the domperidone will give me back my milk supply (even though I hadn't had a full supply established at the time I stopped nursing)?
2) How long will it take to see an increased supply? I get maybe 1/2 tsp. each time I pump out of my left breast, with nothing coming out of my right breast. How long do moms usually stay on the domperidone? I've been pumping pretty steadily over the past 5-6 days and don't really see much of an increase in my milk supply. After how many days of constant pumping do you see an increase?
3) I'm using an Ameda pump (the Egnell Elite) now. I have read many posts about the Whittlestone pump and how great it was. I contact my LC (who's renting me my current pump) and she doesn't feel that it's necessary for me to change from the pump that I'm currently using. I also read about the PSI pump (I think that's what it was called) and that it was really good too. Does anyone know anything about the Ameda pump and whether or not I'd really see significantly better results if I switched over to either the Whittlestone or PSI pump??
4) Does the Lact-Aid help a lot? Is there a preference between the SNS and the Lact-Aid (as far as one being easier to use than the other)??
I previously posted these questions on another breastfeeding message board, but only got one response that answered one question. I was very disappointed. I'm hoping that I'll get more help on this site!
Thanks ladies!