Relactation: The Answer to Formula Shortage

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, people have been hoarding necessities. This includes tissues, wet wipes, diapers, and formula milk. What happens if you could not find formula milk for your baby? Maybe you should consider relactation so that your baby would not go berserk of hunger. 

Breast Milk Production

Even before you give birth, your pregnant body is already getting ready for milk production. However, breast milk will dry up if your baby did not breastfeed, and if there is no stimulant to the nipples or if you did not empty your breasts. 

However, this does not mean that you would not be producing milk anymore. In fact, some women produced milk even if they had not been pregnant before. 

What is Relactation?

Relactation is the process of bringing back milk supply from the breasts. To do this, regular hand expressing or pumping empty breasts can help stimulate the production of prolactin, the hormone responsible for the production of breast milk. Or better yet, let your child latch on you directly as this will be easier to promote milk production. Another way is to stimulate your nipples or allow skin-to-skin contact to promote oxytocin release. 

(Photo: unsplash/Juan Jose Porta)
Relactation might be the answer to formula milk shortage due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ways to Relactate

Pump, Hand Express, or Breastfeed

The idea is to pump or hand express as frequently as possible to produce milk quicker. Do this for 20 to 30 minutes each session, at least eight to twelve times per day. Warm compress and hand massage before you pump so that it would stimulate the breasts to produce milk. 

Skin-to-Skin Contact

Stimulate natural feeding reflexes by allowing skin-to-skin contact between you and your baby. This will allow your baby to latch on you easily. 

(Photo: unsplash/itfeelslikefilm)
Allow skin-to-skin contact between you and your baby to stimulate natural feeding reflexes.

Feed Your Baby Well

Make sure to keep your baby well fed as you introduce your breasts to him because he would feel frustrated at first when there is a little amount of milk that he can suck. And the less your baby sucks, the harder it is for you to start lactating again. 

Consider Taking Galactagogues

Galactagogues are food or food supplements that may help promote breast milk production. However, do note that galactagogues are not always needed to promote relactation. And if ever you would want to try taking galactagogue supplements, make sure to consult with your physician first, especially if you are also taking other medications. 

Find a Breastfeeding Specialist

Breastfeeding specialists will help you overcome any problems that you might encounter as you try to relactate, and they can help you become successful at your breastfeeding journey. 

Connect with a Support Circle

Find and talk to a support circle to help motivate you on your relactation journey. It may be your friend, family, or other mothers who are breastfeeding advocates. There are many groups on social media that support and inspire breastfeeding and relactating mothers. 

(Photo: unsplash/Priscilla Du Preez)
Find and talk to a support circle to help motivate you on your relactation journey.