Relactation may be useful in the developing world either if the child has been ill and unable to feed for a time or the mother is ill or has died. Relactation appears to be easier with a younger infant and in women who have lactated previously. However, with appropriate care, support and motivation even some women who have never been pregnant or who have been pregnant but never lactated may be able to start lactation.
PIP: The need for relactation can arise if a child has been ill and unable to nurse for a time, when a relative or adoptive parent wants to assume breast feeding of a child after a maternal death, or if an infant is found to be unable to tolerate formula milk. The degree of breast and nipple stimulation is considered most important to the chance of inducing a good milk supply. Several studies have found that the willingness to suckle decreases as the age of the infant increases. The methods most commonly used by women in developed countries to prepare the breast are hand expression and a hand pump. Women in developing countries have been enabled to relactate after initiation of a high-protein, high-calorie diet. The use of drugs or hormonal preparations has not been adequately researched. In general, relactation seems to be most successful with younger infants, in cases of incomplete postpartum breast involution, and in women who have lactated previously. Most women report the relactation process is stressful and a support group of some type is recommended.