[KatieAG]

I had stopped breastfeeding Daniel when the doctor told me I was anemic because he wasn't getting enough Iron from my milk. I started supplementing formula and pumped breast milk for him too. Then I just stopped all together. But, now that I am not anemic anymore and I have enough Iron, I am wondering if I can start pumping again and I will start producing milk again. Has anyone tried this?

[Brownie]

Hmmm... I've never tried it, but one of my (many!) breastfeeding books says you CAN return to breastfeeding, though it seems to take a lot of effort and commitment, depending on how much time has gone by since you stopped. Do you have a local La Leche League group? Or check your local library's parenting section for books on breastfeeding for help, too.

Apparently, putting your baby to the breast frequently will bring back your milk, but to keep the baby from getting frustrated, you can set up a thin tube from a bottle of formula for the baby to take along with it. Or, you can use a breast pump. I don't know anyone who's done this, and never tried it myself, but it doesn't seem to hurt to try it

Or, check out the following website for information -- inducing lactation is halfway down the page: http://www.sahmiam.org/adopt.html

Good luck!!

[rowansmom]

Yes you can relactate. Put baby to breast as often as possible even if there is no milk. The more often you put baby to breast (every 1-2 hrs) the quicker and stronger your milk will come in.

Also your iron supply in your milk is not affected by the iron supply in your body. I was anemic as well and my doctor told me that my body will depleate me of iron completely before it deleates my miilk store. meaning my baby had all the iron he needed and I didn't I need to take supplements to boost it back up.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

[KatieAG]

Originally Posted by rowansmom

Also your iron supply in your milk is not affected by the iron supply in your body. I was anemic as well and my doctor told me that my body will depleate me of iron completely before it deleates my miilk store. meaning my baby had all the iron he needed and I didn't I need to take supplements to boost it back up.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

I wish I would have known that. My doctor told me I should stop breastfeeding. If I would have known this I would've kept breastfeeding.

[zonamytte]

Originally Posted by rowansmom

Also your iron supply in your milk is not affected by the iron supply in your body. I was anemic as well and my doctor told me that my body will depleate me of iron completely before it deleates my miilk store. meaning my baby had all the iron he needed and I didn't I need to take supplements to boost it back up.

i was told the same thing and continued to breastfeed and ate lots of iron friendly foods for my needs.

sorry your doc told you otherwise

[twinzplus3]

Your doctor is a moron. I'd find a new one & I'd let him know that he screwed up. What all the lovely women thus far has said is true. . .If you're really interested you likely need to see an IBCLC and invest in a SNS to help relactate depending on when you stopped. I am writing a blog (ahem--eventually) soon on nursing adopted children and relactating.

[Brownie]

Forgot to mention this in my first reply, but there are claims that Fenugreek supplements (available in health-food shops) boost a mother's milk supply. Worth trying, perhaps?

Again, good luck, best wishes, and keep us posted!

[mollymae]

Goodness my iron levels were below 7 after I had Josh and I BF him and the hospital promoted me doing that.

[twinzplus3]

Yes--fenugreek works well for most women to book supply. I took it myself after I had the twins to help boost my supply. However, it won't do the trick without the constant suckling at the breast. You might find this blog on galactagogues helpful. . . Any of the suggestions will help boost an already exsistent supply. Still working on that blog about the SNS. . .

[twinzplus3]

Yes--fenugreek works well for most women. It will boost an already exsistent supply within 24-72 hours. That's what I took with my twins when they were newborn. However, it won't do a whole lot other than make you smell like licorice without the constant suckling at the breast. I wrote a blog on galactagogues that the OP might find helpful. . .