Index
When it comes to breastfeeding, what should be something natural is not always seen or experienced in this way. There are many women who suffer from the breastfeeding issue, because they are unable to breastfeed , because they feel a lot of pain, or because they do not produce enough milk or think they do not. But there are those who for greater reasons cannot even try and feed their babies as in the case of babies who were born prematurely and need hospitalization. For this, a technique was created to help these women to be able to feed them with the help of a probe that has earned the name of relactation.
Relactation is a technique where the baby is placed in the breast to suckle, but is fed through a tube where artificial milk or milk provided by the milk bank is placed . The milk is stored in a syringe, cup or even in the appropriate relactation kit. The technique besides aiming at the baby’s feeding, helps in stimulating the production of breast milk as well as the increase in production. The relactation process, in addition to being an alternative for mothers of premature babies who were unable to breastfeed their child for a long period, is also an alternative for adoptive mothers, especially if they have already breastfed, managing to stimulate production and be able to feed their new baby, even if not born from your womb. The baby’s own sucking will stimulate milk production, so you should not offer a bottle during the whole process, which can take an average of 2 weeks until breast milk meets the baby’s needs. Over the days and with the amount of milk that the breast itself produces, the amount of milk placed in the tube must be reduced.
How to do the Relactation?
The first step in relactating is to be persistent and have a strong desire to breastfeed. The breastfeeding process is tiring and requires total dedication from the mother and the relationship may take time before she can feed her baby without the help of a tube, so patience will be essential to be successful.
To start the relactation process you will need a pediatric nasogastric tube number 4 or 5 that is easily found in drugstores and pharmacies. To store the milk you can use a simple cup, a syringe, a baby bottle or adhere to the relactation kit that can be found in large children’s stores, there are two brands Mamatutti or Medela. The breast milk or powder already prepared must be placed in the container, then put a tip of the probe inside to be sucked. The other end should be placed very close to the nipple and can be fixed with the help of adhesive tape.
When the baby snaps the nipple and sucks, simultaneously the tube is sucked and the milk placed in the container is ingested by the baby with the feeling of being breastfeeding. With this stimulus in a few days the breast milk will start to flow naturally and the milk used in the container should have its quantity reduced.
See also: #euapoioleitematerno – Breastfeeding is Essential!
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
