It's possible to relactate if you haven't produced breast milk in weeks, months or even years. And while some may think relactation is a modern concept, the practice has been around for hundreds of years.
It is possible to relactate after any period of time, but keep in mind that the longer it has been since you breastfed, the longer it will take to see results! Moms who stopped breastfeeding two months ago will see results much quicker than those who are relactating after a year.
It's not unusual for milky discharge to continue for up to two to three years after discontinuing breastfeeding. That said, some people (regardless of their sex assigned at birth or whether they've breastfed before) can experience milk production or milky discharge called galactorrhea.
Excessive breast stimulation, medication side effects or disorders of the pituitary gland all may contribute to galactorrhea. Often, galactorrhea results from increased levels of prolactin, the hormone that stimulates milk production. Sometimes, the cause of galactorrhea can't be determined.
Galactorrhea is a condition where your breasts leak milk. The main sign of galactorrhea is when it happens in people who aren't pregnant or breastfeeding. It's caused by stimulation, medication or a pituitary gland disorder.
So, it is advisable that mother empties one breast at a time, so that the baby can get both the foremilk and hind milk together. After that, they should move to other breast so that they can get both the foremilk and hind milk for the second time. The milk production can continue for up to a period of 2-3 years.
If you stopped breastfeeding (chestfeeding), it may not be too late to try again. That's true even if you've avoided breastfeeding completely and have never done it. The challenging process of relactation can take weeks or even months to produce milk.
Nipple discharge is the release of fluid from the nipple. It is a very common breast symptom and in most cases is part of the normal function of the breast rather than being caused by a problem. Nipple discharge alone (without a lump or other nipple change) is a very uncommon symptom of breast cancer.
Sometimes a woman's breasts make milk even though she is not pregnant or breastfeeding. This condition is called galactorrhea (say: guh-lack-tuh-ree-ah). The milk may come from one or both breasts. It may leak on its own or only when the breasts are touched.
It could come from stimulation of the nipples, certain medications, or a hormonal imbalance. Although this is usually nothing to worry about, you may want to contact your local Planned Parenthood for a breast examination.
The good news is relactation is possible. It requires time, patience, determination and a cooperative baby!
Relactating requires a lot of energy, so you have to take care of yourself. Fatigue, sleep deprivation and stress can interfere with let-down. The key to resuming milk production is frequent and effective breast emptying. Breast emptying can happen by breastfeeding baby, using a breast pump, or hand expressing.
The amount of time it takes to relactate is about equal to how long it has been since breastfeeding stopped. About half of the women who sucessfully relactated had a full milk supply within a month. The others took over one month or offered formula also.
How to re-lactate. Re-lactation is typically achieved through a combination of skin-to-skin contact with the baby and breast stimulation either through a latching baby and/or pumping every two to three hours day and night, which mimics how often a baby feeds.
Galactorrhea is milky breast discharge that happens in women who aren't pregnant or breastfeeding. Galactorrhea is milky breast discharge that happens in women who aren't pregnant or breastfeeding. It affects as many as 1 out of every 4 or 5 women.
Pumping or expressing milk frequently between nursing sessions, and consistently when you're away from your baby, can help build your milk supply. Relax and massage. Relax, hold your baby skin-to-skin, and massage your breasts before feeding to encourage your milk to let down.
So, except for a few circumstances when it might pose a health concern, it's OK to breastfeed your partner. Learn more about adult breastfeeding, how the practice affects breast milk supply, how to start lactation if you're not already breastfeeding, and when adult breastfeeding may not be safe.
A white spot on the nipple usually occurs in breastfeeding women, but can occur at other times. It is also referred to as a blocked nipple pore, a bleb or a milk blister. It is usually about the size of a pinhead or a little larger. The skin surrounding the white spot may be red and inflamed.
Montgomery tubercles, also known as Montgomery glands, are raised white bumps that look similar to goosebumps on the nipple and surrounding areola. They are named after William Fetherstone Montgomery, an Irish physician and obstetrician who first described them in 1837.
Treatment and prevention
Montgomery tubercles are harmless, and no treatment is necessary when these change or increase in number. These spots should not be squeezed or popped as this can introduce infection.
It's not unusual for milky discharge to continue for up to two to three years after discontinuing breastfeeding. That said, some people (regardless of their sex assigned at birth or whether they've breastfed before) can experience milk production or milky discharge called galactorrhea.
It is a common practice in many cultures for a grandmother to relactate so that she may breastfeed her grandchild. It is truly an act of love.