Can a baby go back to breastfeeding after stopping?

Can a Baby Go Back to Breastfeeding After Stopping?
The journey of breastfeeding is often filled with personal choices and circumstances that can lead to a mother and baby stopping and starting again. The good news is that, in most cases, a baby can indeed return to breastfeeding after a period of stopping. This process, known as relactation, allows mothers to re-establish their milk supply and encourage their babies to breastfeed again.
Understanding Relactation
Relactation is the process of restarting breastfeeding after a break, which can occur for various reasons, such as a mother’s return to work, health issues, or a temporary preference for bottle feeding. Experts suggest that it is possible to re-establish breastfeeding even weeks or months after stopping. The key lies in stimulating the breasts to signal the body to produce milk again. This can be achieved through frequent breast stimulation, which sends hormonal signals to the body to resume milk production.
Tips for Successful Relactation
1. Frequent Breastfeeding Attempts: To encourage a baby to return to the breast, mothers should offer the breast frequently. This can be done in various comfortable settings, such as during bath time or while using a baby carrier.
2. Patience is Key: Transitioning back to breastfeeding may require time and patience. Babies who have been bottle-fed for an extended period might need more encouragement to latch back onto the breast.
3. Expressing Milk: If direct breastfeeding is challenging at first, mothers can express milk and offer it in a bottle or cup. This can help the baby associate the taste of breast milk with feeding.
4. Creating a Comfortable Environment: Ensuring a calm and relaxed atmosphere can help both mother and baby feel more at ease during the relactation process. Some mothers find that dim lighting or quiet surroundings can facilitate a better breastfeeding experience.
5. Consulting Experts: Seeking advice from lactation consultants can provide tailored strategies and support for mothers looking to relactate. These professionals can offer guidance on techniques and help troubleshoot any challenges that arise.
Challenges and Considerations
While many mothers successfully relactate, it is important to note that the ease of this process can vary. Factors such as the age of the baby, the duration of the breastfeeding break, and the mother’s milk supply can all influence the outcome. Babies who are older may be more resistant to returning to breastfeeding, especially if they have developed a strong preference for bottle feeding.
In conclusion, while the journey back to breastfeeding after stopping can be complex, it is certainly achievable for many mothers and their babies. With the right approach, support, and a bit of patience, relactation can be a rewarding experience that strengthens the bond between mother and child.

How do I restart breastfeeding after a long gap?

Re-lactation is typically achieved through a combination of skin-to-skin contact with the baby and breast stimulation either through a latching baby and/or pumping every two to three hours day and night, which mimics how often a baby feeds.

How long after stopping breastfeeding does cycle return?

Most breastfeeding mothers will resume their periods between 9 and 18 months after their baby’s birth. Weaning your baby will almost certainly cause your menstrual cycle to return, but most people find that they do not need to wean in order for their cycle to gradually resume.

Can I relactate just by pumping?

For most people, relactating or inducing lactation starts with expressing. If your child is not yet willing to suck on your breast, or you are preparing for breastfeeding before you have your child with you, you can use a breast pump and/or hand express to build up a milk supply.

How does stopping breastfeeding affect a baby?

For infants, never breastfeeding or early weaning is associated with increased risks of otitis media, diarrhea, lower respiratory tract infection, sudden infant death syndrome, leukemia, and type 1 diabetes.

Is it possible to go back to breastfeeding after exclusively pumping?

Yes, it is possible! The likelihood of success centers on the reason you are pumping. If you started pumping because your baby had a tongue tie, and you baby still has that tongue tie, then breastfeeding may not be comfortable for you or an efficient way to feed for your baby.

When is it too late to relactate?

Relactation is the method of training your body to produce milk after not lactating for a period of time. It’s possible to relactate if you haven’t produced breast milk in weeks, months, years — or ever.

When is it too late to increase milk supply?

NO, it is NEVER too late! 🚫⏰ With the right pump, flange, and schedule, you can absolutely increase your milk supply at any stage of your pumping journey.

Is it possible to restart breastfeeding after stopping?

It’s possible to induce lactation successfully and bring in your milk supply. It can take anything from a few days to a few weeks to be able to produce a few drops of milk. To help stimulate lactation: use hand-expression or a breast pump.

Can you go back to breastfeeding after exclusively pumping?

Yes, it is possible! The likelihood of success centers on the reason you are pumping. If you started pumping because your baby had a tongue tie, and you baby still has that tongue tie, then breastfeeding may not be comfortable for you or an efficient way to feed for your baby.

Can a baby go back to the breast after a bottle?

Yes it’s possible. But please be mentally prepared. It’s going to be disheartening when they refuse. But be sure that they WILL. You just have to keep offering. They will remember how soothing breastfeeding is. You can try using a nipple cover for starters. Since it’s silicone, your baby might think it’s bottle nipple.