Relactation is a physiological process where a person re-establishes milk production after it has significantly decreased or ceased following a period of initial lactation. This deliberate effort is essentially an act of “turning the system back on” in the mammary glands, which were previously primed by pregnancy and childbirth hormones. The process is distinct from induced lactation, which involves establishing a milk supply for the first time without having been pregnant. While relactation requires time and commitment, the body retains the capacity to produce milk, even after weeks, months, or sometimes years have passed since the last feeding.
Common Reasons for Restarting Lactation
The decision to relactate is often prompted by circumstances that interrupted the initial feeding plan. One common scenario involves a temporary separation from the infant due to maternal or infant illness, a medical procedure, or an emergency situation that required a hiatus from nursing. In these cases, the milk supply may have diminished or stopped entirely due to a lack of stimulation and milk removal.
A person may also choose to restart lactation after initially deciding to formula feed, perhaps due to a change of heart or a desire to provide human milk after facing complications like formula intolerance in the infant. For those who did not successfully establish a full supply in the early postpartum period, relactation offers a second opportunity. The process is also commonly undertaken by those who wish to nurse an adopted child, a partner’s child, or a child born via a surrogate.
Protocols for Stimulating Milk Production
Relactation relies on reactivating the hormonal feedback loop responsible for milk production and release. The primary mechanism involves stimulating the breast and nipple to signal the pituitary gland to release prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk synthesis, and oxytocin, which triggers the milk ejection reflex, or let-down. This is a supply-and-demand system, meaning frequent and effective milk removal is the core requirement for building a renewed supply.
To mimic the demands of a newborn, stimulation must be frequent, ideally 8 to 12 times within a 24-hour period, or roughly every two to three hours. Each session should aim for 15 to 20 minutes of stimulation per breast, and it is beneficial to include at least one session during the night when prolactin levels are naturally higher.
When the infant is willing, direct nursing is the most efficient form of stimulation, as a baby’s suckling is generally more effective than a pump. Since little or no milk may be transferred initially, using a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) at the breast allows the baby to receive formula or donor milk while simultaneously stimulating the breast. When the baby is not latching or available, using a high-quality, double electric pump is recommended for efficient stimulation of both breasts.
Manual expression and techniques like “hands-on pumping,” which involves massaging the breast before and during pumping, can help drain the breast more fully and further encourage supply. In some cases, a healthcare provider may suggest pharmacological or herbal galactagogues, which are substances intended to increase milk production. These aids are used to support the hormonal environment but are not a substitute for mechanical stimulation and frequent milk removal.
Realistic Timelines and Expected Milk Volume
The time it takes to see results in relactation can vary widely depending on individual factors. It is common to see the first drops of milk within a few days of starting the frequent stimulation protocol. However, establishing a meaningful, measurable supply typically requires patience, often taking anywhere from two to six weeks to see a noticeable increase. A general guideline suggests that the time needed to fully relactate may be approximately twice as long as the period since nursing stopped.
Factors that influence the speed and volume of milk production include the age of the infant, the willingness of the baby to latch, and the length of time since the previous lactation ended. Relactation is often easiest when the baby is under three months old and when the cessation of nursing was recent. Previous successful lactation also primes the breast tissue, making the process potentially smoother.
It is important to maintain realistic expectations, as relactation does not always result in a full milk supply. Success is often defined by the person’s satisfaction with the amount of milk produced and the re-establishment of the nursing relationship, rather than achieving exclusive nursing. Many individuals successfully achieve a partial supply, allowing them to provide human milk while supplementing with formula or donor milk. Throughout the process, close monitoring of the infant’s weight gain and output is necessary to ensure their nutritional needs are met.