Relactation Stats: July 4-December 2006

The table above is a condensed look at my relactation efforts. I started out pumping drops, as you can see, and have achieved close to 8 oz. a day this past month.

In another post, I will explain my use of prescription and herbal galactagogues and how I think they have helped my supply. I will also tell Justin's side of the story, drinking the milk and what his lab values show.

I will explain why I suspect that the domperidone is largely responsible for the amount of milk I have been able to achieve and that pumping, while important in building the supply, has not been as important in maintaining it. Otherwise, there should have been a decrease in the amount of milk I have produced as the number of pumpings in a 24 hour period have been reduced. Amazingly, the amount has staid the same, even though I started with 6-8 pumping sessions in 24 hours, and for the past 2 months, I have pumped only twice a day. Once at 6 AM and the other between 6 and 9 PM. Did I mention that I believe in miracles?

I would not recommend that mothers who are pumping to build or maintain a supply of breastmilk for their infant, use these statistics for their own situation! Except to be encouraged that if they follow the protocols I referenced in a previous blog, they should get favorable results. I prayed for 8 oz. of milk a day (don't ask me why), and that seems to be what my body is comfortable giving up. So, my results may be entirely different than someone else who follows a similar protocol. There are many factors that can influence an individual's ability to make milk. No two individuals and their circumstances are alike, so different results can and should be expected.

If you are interested in seeing my story in published form, please visit: http://www.withinreachwa.org/forprof/BCW/documents/breastfeedingwinter2006.pdf

July 3, 2006: I Begin Again

There is a reason why my journal ends with June 8, 2006 and picks up again on July 3, 2006. While I was pumping those 4 days in June I was also communicating with other lactation professionals about my plans to relactate. I found the website: www.asklenore.com. I began reading her information on Newman-Goldfarb protocols for Induced Lactation: The Guide for Maximizing Milk Supply and discoverd she had a "Menopause Protocol". I was not only intrigued by this, I was facinated to think I might be able to relactate at the age of 50. I realized I wanted to do this right, and knew I would need the understanding and knowledge of people who had gone before me. So, I emailed Lenore and she graciously replied that I could indeed expect to get a milk supply if I followed some of the rules she had laid out in her protocols.
What Lenore suggested is that I stop pumping. She said that without any preparation it is like "dry-heaving on an empty stomach." Indeed. I had already noticed that. She said I should start taking 10 mg domperidone 3 times a day and a birth control pill (she recommended Ortho 1/35). I had never taken birth control pills prior to this, so this was all new territory for me. The birth control pill, Lenore said, was to wake up my breast tissue that had been dormant for the past 6 years. I breastfed our 3rd son until he was 5 years old, so I stopped lactating altogether in 2000. I was to take the pill for 30 days straight with no interruptions, then quit taking it and start pumping. I was to continue taking the domperidone. Adding any other galactagogues was entirely up to me.

So, on July 3, 2006, I began my journey in earnest. I ended up taking the birth control pill for only 21 days because I had noted that I was already beginning to leak milk and I couldn't contain my excitement any more than a kid on Christmas Day! What follows is my journal entries for July 3, 2006. After that, I will be putting up fewer details and only what I consider to be pertinent information. For those wishing to learn more about the galactagogues or other details that may not be listed, feel free to email me privately or pose a question on the blog so others can learn too!

July 3, 2006 12:06-12:26

1. 3 ml pale white/yellowish tint. First pumping after 21 days protocol of Ortho 1/35 and Domperidone 20 mg. qid.
2. Symphony breastpump, let-down phase 6 notches, pumping phase 9 notches.
3. I sat up in my bed to pump. I did not massage my breasts prior to or during this pumping session.
4. I took 20 mg. domperidone. I also had taken 2- 620mg capsules of Fenugreek and 2-390 mg. capsules of Blessed Thistle at 10:00 PM before bedtime.

July 3, 2006 0307-0327

1. Just under 3 ml yellow/tan colored milk.
2. Symphony breastpump, let-down phase 6 notches, pumping phase 9 notches.
3. I massaged my breasts for 1-2 minutes prior to pumping. Once again, I am pumping, sitting up in bed.

July 3, 2006 0607-0627

1. Just under 2 ml tan colored milk.
2. Symphony pump, settings as above-6 and 9.
3. Massaged breasts for 1-2 minutes prior to pumping.
4. Took 2 Fenugreek, 2 Blessed Thistle, 2 Domperidone.

July 3, 2006 0911-0929

1. 4 ml from left breast, drops from right breast.
2. Symphony pump, settings 6 and 9.
3. I have developed cracks at the base of both nipples. There is fresh blood there. Ouch! And also, so what!

July 3, 2006 1204-1224

1. 1 ml pinkish milk
2. Symphony pump, settings 4 and 7. Too painful on higher settings.
3. I am feeling guilty. I am pumping in our office at work and Denise is out on the floor doing all the work!
4. Domperidone 20 mg.

July 3, 2006 1513-1533

1. 1 ml tan colored milk
2. Symphony pump, settings 5 and 8.
3. Pumping in our office. Switched to 30 mm shields to see if less torture for my damaged nipples.
4. Took 2 Fenugreek and 2 Blessed Thistle.

July 3, 2006 1813-1833

1. Drops only, did not save.
2. Symphony 5 and 8. In our office, end of day, writing a pump order for a patient.
3. Took 20 mg. domperidone.

July 3, 2006 2109-2130

1. 2 ml
2. Symphony 4 and 7, tired and in bed. Relaxed. Using 30 mm shields and much more comfortable than 24 mm shields.

Stats for the Day:

159 minutes pumping time

16 ml fluid pumped

80 mg Domperidone

3720 mg Fenugreek

2340 mg Blessed Thistle

Relactating: Day by Day

From my journal:

5:40 PM Monday June 5, 2006-- Medela Symphony breastpump, Let-down phase (7 notches), Pumping phase (5 notches). Right breast only until 6:00 PM, then Left breast, same settings until 6:20 PM.

I have called my breasts back into service. Justin, 17 years, has recently been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I believe if my milk protected him the 1st time around it can also heal him now. This is an incredible sensation! Rusty pipe droplets at the tips of both nipples this 1st session.

8:55 PM Monday June 5, 2006--Medela Symphony breastpump, Let-down phase (6 notches), Pumping phase (4 notches). Both breasts at the same time until 9:15

I am having 5-7 let-downs as I pump. This is not only going to be good for Justin--it is going to be a rewarding journey for me. I know I can do this. My body is telling me so. More rusty pipe drops, some yellow as well.

12:00 AM Tuesday June 6, 2006--Medela Symphony breastpump, Let-down phase (5 notches), Pumping phase (4 notches). Both breasts at the same time until 12:35 AM

More rusty pipe and even a drop into the shield on my right breast.

3:05 AM Tuesday June 6, 2006--Medela Symphony breastpump, Let-down phase (7 notches), Pumping phase (4 notches). Both breasts at the same time until 3:35 AM

I am really tired at this pumping but want to keep going. I will do everything in my power to see Justin's gut healed. So far his spirits are good but he is not crazy about the idea of drinking his mother's milk! More rusty pipe.

6:15 AM Tuesday June 6, 2006--Medela Symphony breastpump, Let-down phase (6 notches), Pumping phase (4 notches). Both breasts at the same time until 6:35 AM

Dripping into the shield this time. One drop on right, 0 drops on left. Rusty pipe and some yellow.

0944-1005 Tuesday June 6, 2006--Medela Symphony breastpump, Let-down phase (7 notches), Pumping phase (5 notches). Both breasts at the same time.

This one I am anxious to get over with so not having the familiar 5-7 let-downs per pumping session. There is a technician in the house putting in our cupboards, so I am in Justin's bedroom sitting on the floor. Usually I pump either in bed or in the living room. Still rusty pipe colored but a drop in both shields. Nipples feel tender.

7:00-7:20 PM Wednesday June 7, 2006--Medela Symphony breastpump.

Took to work today. Pumped at 0930, 1245, 1545. 20 minutes each time. Am now getting some dripping down into the shields from both breasts. Resembles caramel topping and is very thick and sticky. I have been rinsing the shields with small amounts of plain tap water and collecting with a 10 ml eccentric tip syringe. Then I place this in a ziploc bag and put it in the refrigerator. Justin will have 8 syringes partially filled to add to a milkshake tonight. This probably represents no more than 2-3 ml rusty pipe milk. I am also noticing less let-downs per session. Maybe the novelty has worn off. Suction settings are now comfortable at 8-9 notches in the let-down phase and up to 12 (out of 16) in the pumping phase. But I have to notch it up gradually. Is it my imagination or is this pumping whiter and thinner? I will have to remember to wipe the shields dry.

9:50-10:10 PM Wednesday June 7--Medela Symphony breastpump, let-down phase (9 notches), pumping phase (15 notches). 5 total let-downs

Barely a drop this pumping but white in appearance. Did not save it. Gave Justin all 8-10 ml syringes to use in his milkshake. He accepted it without complaint.

12:35-12:55 AM Thursday June 8--Medela Symphony breastpump, let-down phase (5 notches), pumping phase (6 notches).

Nipples are really sore. Got only light moisture both nipple tips. Don't be discouraged!