Yes, restarting breastfeeding after a short pause is possible. This process is known as relactation, which means re-establishing a milk supply after a temporary period of cessation. Because the break was only one week, the mammary glands are still highly responsive to renewed stimulation, making the outlook for a successful return to nursing quite favorable. Relactation differs from induced lactation, which is the process of building a milk supply without ever having been pregnant or previously nursed.
Understanding Relactation
The biological possibility of relactation hinges on the principle of supply and demand, which governs milk production in the body. Milk synthesis is primarily driven by the hormone prolactin, and its release is triggered by nipple stimulation and milk removal. The one-week break likely caused a reduction in supply, as the lack of removal signaled the body to slow down prolactin production.
However, the tissue responsible for making milk, the mammary alveoli, remains present and ready to be reactivated. When stimulation resumes, the anterior pituitary gland receives the signal to increase prolactin secretion once more. Furthermore, the hormone oxytocin, responsible for the milk ejection reflex, or “let-down,” is also released upon stimulation, helping any existing milk become available. Since your body has already established lactation once, restarting the hormonal signaling pathways is easier than starting from scratch.
Strategies for Restimulating Milk Production
The most effective strategy for rebuilding milk supply is frequent and thorough breast stimulation and milk removal. To effectively signal your body to make more milk, you must aim for a minimum of eight to twelve stimulation sessions within a twenty-four-hour period. This frequency mimics the feeding pattern of a newborn, which is necessary to maximize prolactin release.
Using a high-quality double electric breast pump can maximize efficiency during these frequent sessions. Pumping both breasts simultaneously for fifteen minutes every two to three hours is a common starting point for a relactation plan. Remember that even if no milk is collected initially, the act of stimulation is the most important step in signaling the body to resume production.
Incorporating a technique called power pumping can further accelerate the process by simulating a baby’s cluster feeding behavior. A typical power pumping session involves alternating short periods of pumping and resting over an hour. Doing this specialized session once a day for several days can provide an intense, concentrated signal to boost prolactin levels.
Encouraging Nursing and Flow
Physical closeness is a powerful tool for encouraging both milk production and the baby’s interest in nursing. Frequent skin-to-skin contact with your baby helps to promote relaxation and can trigger the release of oxytocin, which facilitates the milk ejection reflex.
Offer the breast when your baby is sleepy or calm, rather than when they are very hungry, to reduce frustration and encourage a gentle reintroduction to latching. Massaging the breasts before and during pumping or nursing can also help improve milk flow and encourage more complete drainage, which further supports increased production.
Setting Realistic Expectations
Relactation requires patience, as the process of rebuilding a milk supply is gradual and not instantaneous. While some women may see the first drops of milk within a few days, reaching a full supply can take several weeks or even months. The time it takes is proportional to how long the initial break lasted and how well established the supply was beforehand.
You will need to continue supplementing your baby with formula or previously expressed milk while your supply increases. To prevent your baby from developing a preference for the fast flow of a bottle, you may explore using a supplemental nursing system (SNS) at the breast. This device allows your baby to receive the supplement while stimulating your breast, associating nursing with receiving a full meal.
Monitoring your baby’s weight gain and diaper output is the most reliable way to track the success of your relactation efforts. As your supply grows, you can gradually reduce the amount of supplemental milk offered, always under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Acknowledging that the process can be emotionally challenging is important, and practicing self-compassion can help manage feelings of frustration along the way.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Partnering with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is highly recommended to create a personalized relactation plan. An IBCLC can assess your baby’s latch and suck strength, troubleshoot your pumping equipment, and adjust your stimulation schedule for maximum effectiveness. They provide tailored support that addresses the specific factors impacting your unique situation.
In certain cases, a healthcare provider may discuss the possibility of using galactagogues, which are medications or herbs that can help promote milk production. These substances are generally used as an adjunct to frequent milk removal, not as a replacement for it, and must be prescribed or recommended by a doctor.
A doctor’s consultation is also beneficial to rule out any underlying medical conditions for either you or your baby that may have contributed to the initial cessation of feeding. Consulting with your baby’s pediatrician ensures that your baby’s nutritional needs are being met throughout the relactation journey.