Extraordinary Breast Feeding: Relactation/Induced Lactation
Auerbach, K.G.
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 27(1): 52-55
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0142-6338 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/27.1.52Document Number: 384888
To obtain information on extraordinary breastfeeding, a survey was conducted of 606 women who had experienced or attempted relactation or induced lactation. Respondents were women who had relactated after their babies were weaned too soon; women who sought to relactate after the birth of a low birth weight infant; mothers who returned to breast feeding after they or their infants had been hospitalized; and those who sought to nurse an adopted infant. Preparations included dietary supplements, nipple stimulation techniques, exogenous hormones, and hypnosis. Mothers reported varied physical changes (milk ejection, breast and nipple changes, altered menstrual pattern) in response to relactation, and babies also varied in their responses to nursing. Infants older than 3 months were less likely to suckle than younger ones. Adoptive mothers were least likely to breast feed without supplementing the infant's diet. Of all mothers surveyed, 75% evaluated their experience positively. (nm)