Normally, without suckling, milk production ceases 14 to 21 days after birth. PRL- mediated milk production and secretion, however, may continue as long as the breasts are stimulated, as evidenced by the ability of wet-nursing for many years (16).
The milk production can continue for up to a period of 2-3 years. Breast milk, the healthiest food you can give to your baby, contains fat, which babies and even young kids need to grow and help their body absorb and process essential vitamins and minerals.
Eliciting milk
It was once believed that a wet nurse must have recently undergone childbirth in order to lactate. This is not necessarily the case, as regular breast stimulation can elicit lactation via a neural reflex of prolactin production and secretion.
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.
It's called re-lactation. It's possible for the female body to come back from “drying up” and produce milk again. In fact, many mothers of adopted children are able to pump and use several methods in order to stimulate their bodies to produce milk, even if they haven't given birth!
Some can produce milk for years, while others have trouble producing enough milk for their baby. Some common factors that can impact lactation or breastfeeding are: Hormonal levels and conditions.
What is galactorrhea? Galactorrhea (guh-LACK-toe-REE-uh) is milk discharge from the breast that is unrelated to breastfeeding or that happens at least one year after stopping breastfeeding. It usually happens in both breasts, but it can also happen in only one. Both women and men can have galactorrhea.
80), “Small amounts of milk or serous fluid are commonly expressed for weeks, months, or years from women who have previously been pregnant or lactating.” The amount is most often very small, however, and spontaneous flow (leaking) generally stops within 2-3 weeks.
The wet-nursing mom may have problems with the let-down reflex. There is always the potential for infection (in the woman or baby). There may be an interruption of the breast milk supply for the mother's own baby. Wet-nursing may get a negative response from the baby's siblings and other's in the household.
“Dry breastfeeding” before an infant is mature enough to be fed at a full breast has been associated with improved milk supply for mothers and longer breastfeeding after discharge home. It enables you to practice holding and latching-on your infant without worrying how much milk he is getting.
Heat encourages milk flow; cold therapy can help stop or lessen making milk. If you are very full, first apply heat, with either a shower or warm compress. Next, pump only enough to relieve your pain & extra fullness.
It's possible to relactate if you haven't produced breast milk in weeks, months or even years.
A woman who is postmenopausal can still produce milk. Reproductive organs are not necessary to make milk, so long as a mother has a functioning pituitary gland. A woman on hormone replacement therapy may decide to adjust her medications when inducing lactation.
How long will it take? Commit 2 weeks to making breastfeeding your main concern. 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.
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.
Galactorrhoea is milky nipple discharge not related to pregnancy or breast feeding. It is caused by the abnormal production of a hormone called prolactin. This can be caused by diseases of glands elsewhere in the body which control hormone secretion, such as the pituitary and thyroid glands.
Generally speaking, breastfeeding your husband or partner is OK. It's not perverted or wrong if you want the person you are intimate with to breastfeed, or if they ask to try breastfeeding or taste your breast milk.
Thick or sticky discharge that is green, greenish brown or reddish brown may be caused by a non-cancerous condition called mammary duct ectasia. Yellow and foul-smelling pus may be caused by a breast infection.
Use a pump or hand express for 10-15 minutes on each breast several times a day. Ideally, at least eight times in 24 hours. Swapping sides every few minutes may be more effective than a longer session on one side.
Some parents impacted by the baby formula shortage may be wondering if they can start breastfeeding again. A process known as re-lactation can help patients produce breast milk, even if it has been weeks or months since they did so.
Caffeine. It's not just tea and coffee that contains caffeine, it's in chocolate and various energy drinks and soft drinks. It's wiser to cut caffeine out while breastfeeding as it's a stimulant which can make your baby restless. If you do drink caffeine, try not to have more than 300mg a day.