Is it possible to restart producing breast milk after ceasing breastfeeding??

[TaRhLi.]

Hi All

Is is possible to restart lactating after you've stopped breastfeeding??? I ceased b/fing my sole b/fing twin about 3 weeks ago (they are 6 weeks old) due to not being able to juggle b/fing and bottle feeding the twins and also looking after my toddler. It took about 10 days for my milk to dry up and for my breasts to stop being uncomfortable, however for the past week both boys have had colds and I've noticed that I have breast milk being produced. As such when they have been unsettled or waking because they have sore throats/blocked noses I've been offering the breast and they have been quite happy to feed, although I am not producing enough milk to b/f them solely what I am producing seems to help.

I have noticed however that the milk being produced is very similar in consistancy to colostrum but it is white not the clear yellow colour of colostrum. So I suppose what I really want to know is if I do continue to offer them the breast will this mean that I will start producing milk again to the level that I could them b/f them again for a couple of feeds a day or is what's being produced just residual due to it only being 3 weeks since I stopped b/fing??

[Olive]

i dont think breastmilk ever fully dries up, i still have milk too.
keep feeding them and see how you all go
xx

[MrsFabuloso]

Sure is hun, it's called relactating.
Just continue to pop your bubs on your breast and they will still suckle. Any milk there they will get and the more they suck the more milk your boobs will produce.

[BellyBelly]

Someone needs to make some yummy lactation cookies too

[peanutter]

yes - you can get tips from people here, and also from Barb, or your local lactation consultant or the ABA

it didn't work for me personally, but I've seen lots of success stories here on BB

try the lactation cookies (the recipe is in a sticky) and also try fenugreek tea and fennel tea - and drink LOTS of water. And then stick bub on your boobie everytime he looks at you sideways

[BellyBelly]

Barb has relactated before

[fionas]

I stopped completely for six weeks (from when DD2 was three weeks till she was nine weeks) and had not a drop. I relactated to the point where I could get 60ml. But you already have some so it should certainly be doable. I expressed every hour for two weeks, took Motilium, took fenugreek and used a supply line. But, like I say, that was from not having a drop - much easier to do if you're already starting with some supply.

[TaRhLi.]

Thanks girls

I was hoping that I could do a b/f feed with each one once a day if possible to get special one on one time. I had huge problems with DS1 not being able to attach properly so he went on the bottle but since having chiro work he now seems to know what to do. I've found as well since they have been sick that being able to offer them the breast seems to be helping them recover faster obviously due to breast milk having better antibodies for them than formula.

[Kmn]

To make more milk you have to breastfeed them more. If you want to try one feed a day it would probably work best to keep the times consistent, and spaced (e.g. one gets morning, other one gets early evening). But to be honest, it will probably be easiest in the long term to take a week and just let them feed very very often. And then you may find that both them and you get seriously good at feeding, and you will have a more secure supply and need less formula.

[onthefly]

Good idea re antibodies! It's the only why they can get any.
You sure can relactate, as others have said, the key is to feed, feed, feed. Are you able to take a little time out and just do that to reestablish supply? the ABA and/or an LC would be able to offer you advice also. Barb also has experience with this too.
Good luck!

PS, hope they're all well again soon