What is re lactation?
It’s a process of restimulating lactation days ,weeks or months after lactation initially ended.
What is induced Lactation?
Process of stimulating lactation when women had not lactated in recent past years.
Who need Relactation?
-Infants seriously ill
-Infants Malnourished
-Breast feeding delayed due to Maternal or neonatal issues
-Untimely Weaning
-Infants who cannot tolerate formula
Who need Induced lactation?
-Adoptive families.
-LGQBT community mothers, willing to breast feed.
What is necessary for relactation?
-Motivation
-Committment
-Functional Brain
-Breast
What is not necessary for relactation?
-Uterus
-Pregnancy
Proceeding to Action Plan
1.Reliable goal:
Relactation:The shorter the time between stopping lactation and relactation , shorter the time for successful relactation.
Induced Lactation:Generally plan six months before the arrival of baby.
2.Plan towards the committment needed:
Relactation: Needs 8-12 times of pumping and stimulation of breast for 15 to 20 minutes, including minimum 4 times at night time, frequency decreases as milk flow increases.
Induced Lactation: Consult obstetrician 6 months before arrival of baby, you might be prescribed t take combined oral contraceptives , Domperidone and Glactogogues in a timely fashion and to taper doses and stop them as instructed by doctor.
Stimulation of breast using breast pump 8-12 times per day.
3.Prepare yourself:
Relactation and Induced Lactation: Explain your family members , the goal the set yourself time required for pumping, rest and general well being.
4.Good Equipment:
-Hospital grade Breast pump is most likely
May need herbal galactogogues and lots and lots of patience.
5.Feeding:
Plan for feeding the baby, with donor milk or formula milk until the milk supply is established.
Frequent skin to skin contact and SNS feeding of baby at breast are helpful.
Once breast milk supply has started, breast feed baby often and decrease the number of supplements.
Conclusion:
Constantly remind your breast and brain , that there is a demand for breast milk by stimulation of breast, remain patient until the supply is established.