I've stopped breastfeeding and I feel horrible..

JazzJustJazz

I feel horrible about stopping in the first place. My schedule is so busy I never get any downtime. The downtime I do get is spent prepping for the next work day. I have breastfed in over a month my LO is only 4 months. I definitely want to start back. Is there any supplements I can start on? Approx how long will it take for me to gain my milk supply back?

hcar86

I know it's possible, but I'm not sure how. You should join the dairy queens support group on Facebook. I've seen people give advice on this there. Good luck!

ldmw

It is possible to re-lactate, you may want to consider joining some Nursing and/or Pumping groups on Facebook.

You are a GREAT mommy. Please don't feel guilty for stopping. You stopped for a reason and if you are a better mommy for stopping, then don't feel guilty. A happy mom and a healthy baby is all that matters. And if that is accomplished through feeding formula, than that is OKAY!

marijaa333

Breast milk is amazing but there's nothing wrong with formula! It's just more expensive. In fact it has iron and a few other things BM doesn't have. Rigorous long-term studies show zero differences in outcomes...  

Also, turns out kids benefit from having moms who work outside the home if that's what they choose to do. Happy mom=happy kid. (Also, financially stable mom=happy kid.)

Enough with the guilt we put on ourselves... You are doing great. Please don't feel horrible. There is really no good reason to be so hard on yourself.

JazzJustJazz

This means so much. I still deal with daily guilt when I see the new moms in my office pumping. He's the happiest, most active and alert and SMART baby I've ever seen. I just sometimes wonder if there's a supplement I can take to regain.

mrsmdjbetti

My LO had been on formula since month 2. A combo of him not being a great latcher and me just pumping for him as well as my stress not allowing me to make enough (we moved cross country when he was 5 weeks old) it truly simplifies the process. My aunt gave us a sort of one cup coffee makers but it's for formula. At first I thought how lazy can I be?! Then after a while I got sucked into being able to make a warm bottle on demand whenever he needed it. Don't feel bad about what you are having to do that is best for YOU and the baby!

newmommy2bXo

Ehh if you stopped it might not come back. Are you still leaking if you squeeze your breast? If so then pump as much as you would have fed her and eat tons of oatmeal it helps with milk supply

jessmaydvm

It is completely possible to relactate, and generally it does not require any supplements. What it does require is frequent stimulation of the breasts. So that means every 2-3 hrs either having your LO "dry nurse" with an at-breast supplementer, dry nurse with nothing if he will do that, or pumping while looking at your baby's pics/videos to help with the hormonal release. It often takes weeks to months, but it can be done. That's how adoptive mothers that wish to breastfeed do it. However, it doesn't mean that it is right for you or that you are a better mother for doing it! It is a lot of work to relactate, so I would be sure and examine your motivations for doing so before starting. Make sure it isn't just inappropriate guilt! You are a good mama if you are feeding and nurturing your baby, which you are!

newmommy2bXo

When did you stop? I think honestly even if you breastfed 6 months that's golden.