Switching from Formula to Breastmilk: 3 Options Every Mother Should Know About

With all the talk about the risks of formula-feeding, many mothers find themselves in a quandary. They've been formula-feeding for months, and now wish that they had breastfed - but alas, their milk supply disappeared long ago. Adoptive mothers often face a similar problem. They know that breast is best, but since many of these mothers have never given birth, they feel that they have no choice but to use formula. But there are options for those mothers who are not currently lactating and wish to give their children the benefits of breastmilk. If you wish to make the switch from formula to breastmilk, there are a number of ways for you to do this.

Milk banks
Currently, this option is available only to those babies who have an intolerance to formula, or are otherwise very ill. Premature babies are the best candidates to receive donated breastmilk, but other babies may also require this option. Donated milk can be administered in hospitals, and occasionally your pediatrician can prescribe donated milk for your child, when necessary. This is not generally an option for babies who are healthy. If you are interested in using donated breastmilk, talk to your pediatrician about your options.

Wetnurse
If you know someone who is nursing her own child, you can ask to her be a wetnurse to your child, either by actually nursing your baby or simply by pumping and storing breastmilk for you to give in a bottle. If you choose this route, be absolutely sure you trust the person. It is best to choose a family member or a close friend to fill the role of wetnurse. Do not allow anyone to wetnurse your child if she is a smoker, if she is a heavy drinker, if she does recreational drugs, or if she is taking prescription medications that are unsafe for nursing mothers. This can be a wonderful arrangement for all parties, but you must be able to trust the woman entirely. If there is any doubt in your mind, do not choose this option.

Relactation
Relactation is the process of stimulating the mother's body to produce milk. This is probably the most difficult route to take at first, but it will end up being the easiest and most beneficial in time. In order to relactate, you will first want to talk to a lactation consultant or your local La Leche League leader. She will be able to provide you with information and support during the relactation process to help you achieve your goals. The most important part of the relactation process is breast stimulation. This involves allowing your child to nurse at every opportunity. Every 2 to 3 hours is optimal. You may also want to purchase a breast pump for extra stimulation. Your lactation consultant may provide you with a supplemental nursing system (SNS), which is used to administer a steady flow of milk or formula while baby nurses, encouraging her to nurse more often.

There are also herbs, such as fenugreek and blessed thistle, and medications, such as domperidone, that can help stimulate your milk supply. There are risks involved with taking these herbs and medications, so research them thoroughly and talk to your doctor. These supplements will not be effective without breast stimulation through nursing and/or pumping.

If you are using formula and want to switch to breastmilk, or if you are seeking to adopt a newborn and wish to nurse, don't lose hope. Talk to your doctor and discuss your options. For more information on donor milk, wetnursing, and relactation, refer to the links at the end of this article.