You breastfed your baby for a few weeks, tried to transition to formula but your little one isn't adjusting. Maybe your newborn had to remain hospitalized after birth and you're just beginning full-time nursing at three weeks. Or perhaps you were seriously ill or hospitalized for a week and had to temporarily refrain from nursing.

These are just some of the real-life situations that can present a new mother with the challenges of relactation, whereby the body returns to producing milk after having stopped or slowed down.

"You also have cases where a new mother just changes her mind after leaving the hospital," says Barbara Shocker, RN, BSN, IBCLC, certified lactation consultant and member of the International Lactation Consultants Association. "We see that sometimes in young women who think they don't want to breastfeed – maybe friends and family have influenced their decision initially – and then they discover that they do want to try."

Is it difficult to re-establish a milk supply? Shocker discusses two key factors: the age of the infant and how much time has passed since initial lactation. And, she stresses, each case is unique.

Content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical question or condition. Reliance on information presented on this site is at your own risk. This site contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of this site, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.