When Is It Too Late To Start Breastfeeding?
That’s a question that many mothers ask themselves, especially in the early stages of breastfeeding. Although, the truth is that it depends on several factors, such as the mother’s health, age, and medical history.
Breast milk is rich in nutrients and antibodies that help in boosting the infant’s immune system, making them more resilient to illnesses. If you wait until later in lactation to begin nursing, your baby may not get enough nipple stimulation from your breast, which could lead to delayed motor development and cognitive difficulties down the road.
However, if you’re unsure about whether it is too late for you to start breastfeeding your baby or not, this guide will be the answer to all your questions. Keep reading!
Does it ever get too late to start breastfeeding?
If you’ve been considering breastfeeding but have stopped before getting started, don’t give up just yet. Experts say that it’s possible to partially or fully relactate and start breastfeeding again.
This means that even if you have stopped breastfeeding for any reason (for weeks or months), trying to establish a nursing relationship with your baby is still attainable. The key is to have patience, persistence, and a support system.
You may be surprised that even adoptive mothers can breastfeed their babies. So, don’t let anyone tell you that it’s too late to start, and don’t hesitate to seek the advice of lactation consultants or other healthcare professionals if you need help along the way.
Why is it good to start breastfeeding at an early stage?
Exclusive breastfeeding is a cornerstone of healthy infant development and can help protect babies from infections and chronic diseases. UNICEF also recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, starting within an hour of birth.
While implementing this suggestion can sometimes be challenging, having breastfed baby for the first six months can significantly impact their overall health.
Can you start breastfeeding again after you’ve stopped?
If you think that breastfeeding hasn’t been the right choice for you in the past, but you wish to try it again, it is possible to do so even after weeks or months of not breastfeeding. This procedure is known as re-lactation.
Your body will remember the process no matter how old your baby is or how long you have breastfed. The more pregnancies you’ve had, the more babies you’ve nursed, and the longer you’ve spent feeding, the stronger milk-making memories you will have.
If you’re interested in giving breastfeeding another shot, here are some tips that can be very helpful.
Make time for breastfeeding
Making time for breastfeeding can be tough for some breastfeeding mothers, but it’s essential to do your best to get the most out of this unique breastfeeding experience. If you can fit nursing into your routine, you’ll be more likely to stick with it and reap all the benefits.
Try scheduling some period of time each day to nurse your baby, even if that means setting aside 30 minutes during your morning routine or shutting activities until afterward.
Pump often
If you are nursing and struggling to produce enough milk, you might want to consider pumping frequently with an electric breast pump or manual pump. It can stimulate your breast milk production by releasing oxytocin and prolactin, both of which are hormones responsible for encouraging breastfeeding.
Furthermore, if you find that your milk production is still low even after pumping several times, don’t get discouraged. Keep trying, and eventually, you should see an increase in production.
Get a good diet and sleep
Eating a balanced diet with all the necessary vitamins and minerals is extremely important to produce more milk. Get enough protein before bedtime and in the morning, as this will help build strong bones and muscles.
Also, ensure you drink plenty of fluids (especially water) throughout the day. Take plenty of sleep, and be sure to take good care of yourself.
Keep the stress away
Don’t stress about how much milk you produce. If you’re too exhausted or stressed, your attempts at increasing your breast milk supply will be fruitless.
No matter how lactose-intolerant you may be or how little milk you produced when you were breastfeeding your last baby, your body will adjust once you begin comfort nursing again.
Be patient with yourself
It can take at least two weeks for your body to get back into its natural rhythm of producing breastmilk, and there may be times when nursing doesn’t go according to plan, but that’s completely okay. Just keep going, and within a few weeks, you’ll notice that you’re getting better.
Reduce or Limit bottles and Pacifiers
Remember to offer the breasts first, whether they’re used for feeding or for comforting purposes. If not, offer your baby his feeds using alternative methods.
He may include cup-feeding, spoon-feeding, or nursing supplements. Use these alternatives rather than bottles and pacifiers, which can cause nipple confusion and hinder babies from breastfeeding well.
Is it okay to breastfeed your toddler?
There is no rule that says you cannot nurse your child if you have never done so before. However, many feel like starting it up as a toddler can be confusing and overwhelming for the mother and child.
Ultimately, whether or not to breastfeed your toddler is a personal decision based on what feels suitable for you and your family. You can absolutely give it a shot and see how it goes. But if you decide to nurse your toddler, it is critical to pay special attention to your own emotional as well as physical health during this time. Also, ensure that your child’s nutritional needs are satisfied in other ways.
Conclusion
Don’t give up on breastfeeding just because your baby is a little older. Yes, it may be possible for some mothers to get discouraged when their child starts to bottle-feed. But that doesn’t mean breastfeeding isn’t an option for them.
Breastfeeding is one of the most fulfilling experiences a mother can have, and it can provide lifelong benefits to her child.
Many moms also find that breastfeeding gives them a sense of connection with their child that bottle-feeding cannot duplicate. So, don’t be afraid to try it. And you might be pleasantly surprised at how well it works for you and your little one.
Faqs:
Is it too late to establish a milk supply?
Even if more time has gone by, it is still conceivable that you will be able to boost your milk production to some degree. But, there is regrettably no assurance that you will be able to generate a complete milk supply. Your child will benefit from whatever quantity of breast milk that you are able to make for him or her.
When should I introduce baby formula to breastfed babies?
When to start implementing the infant formula. If you want to breastfeed your child and also give them formula. It is highly recommended that you wait until your child is at least three to four weeks old before giving them their first bottle. At that point, you will most likely have established a feeding rhythm and a steady supply of solid milk.
What is considered partial breastfeeding?
The term “partial breastfeeding or partial milk supply” refers to the practice of supplementing an infant’s diet with either formula or solid meals in addition to the mother’s breast milk. While some make the adjustment to partial nursing after their child starts to consume solid meals. Other women choose to nurse their children in a combination of ways from the very beginning.
References:
https://www.unicef.org/stories/breastfeeding-first-hour-birth-what-works-and-what-hurts