I'm not so sure that this mom couldn't bring a milk supply for her child.
Adoptive mothers can bring in a milk supply of varying amounts.  I would
encourage her to continue feeding the child, perhaps telling her that if
she keeps nursing her "mama's ahhh milky" might come back.

When one of my daughters was 2 1/2 and was breastfeeding along with plenty
of table foods, she got a bad cold and, for 3 days, did little other than
nurse.  She got well and ran off to play.  I could have fed the block.  So
I don't think that a baby's eating other foods has an effect on the return
of a milk supply.

I had a friend whose child weaned, and about 5 months later she adopted a
baby and brought in a full milk supply.  I don't remember how long it took,
but in the case of the 3-year-old, there doesn't have to be as much volume.

The medications likely contributed to her losing her milk, but there are
other stories of sudden disappearance of milk, with a return with
stimulation.  Now that her health is restored, I would recommend that she
continue with the herbs and, perhaps, domperidone if she can get it. I
agree with the caution against Reglan.

But mainly I would suggest that she and the 3-year-old work together as a
team, reducing the stress on the mother to "produce." 3-year-olds can be
most understanding, and if she knew that she had a role in the return of
the milk, she might not be so distressed.

Pat Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee, Wisconsin


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