The more often milk is removed, the more often you are sending the signal to make more and prolactin levels stay more elevated. Because of this, once you are making milk, you are never truly empty of milk. As milk is removed by the baby or pumping, prolactin is released and tells the body to synthesize milk by pulling nutrients from the parent's blood supply and storing the milk for feeding the baby. Prolactin - this hormone is responsible for the development of mammary tissue, milk storage, and making milk. Preparedness for being able to safely feed your baby in states of emergency.
Having previously nursed a child and wanting to be able to co-nurse their new baby.Having nursed a child previously and now adopting a baby.Health benefits for the baby (and mother).The parent was not ready for breastfeeding to end.In some cultures, grandmothers re-lactate to nurse a newborn if the mother is ill, there is a separation of mother and baby, or other cultural beliefs including colostrum taboos.(1) Reasons people have chosen to relactate: Relactation is a process to begin producing breast milk again after having stopped for anywhere from a few weeks to many months. Breastfeeding can look many different ways and the more milk you can provide your baby, the less donor milk or supplement they will need. Any amount of your milk that you can feed your baby is beneficial to them. While some people can re-establish a full supply for their baby, others are only able to make a partial supply compared to their baby's needs. Having a plan in place with steps to take helps optimize your time and milk production. It is possible to begin producing milk after you have stopped, but it does take time, patience, and determination. There are many reasons breastfeeding can be interrupted and just as many reasons why someone chooses to relactate after having stopped breastfeeding.