Relactation: Rebuilding Your Milk Supply
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La Leche League says relactation is possible, though it takes time, patience, determination, and a cooperative baby 1. The American Academy of Pediatrics says a baby's frequent suckling and other forms of nipple stimulation, such as an electric breast pump, are critical to establishing or reestablishing milk supply 2, and that it may take weeks for supply to increase 2.
Key takeaways
- La Leche League says relactation is possible, but that it requires time, patience, determination, and a cooperative baby 1.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics says a baby's frequent suckling and other nipple stimulation, such as an electric breast pump, are critical to establishing or reestablishing milk supply 2.
- La Leche League says that to rebuild supply, a mother should hand express or pump at least eight to twelve times per day for 20 to 30 minutes, including at night 1.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics says it may take weeks for milk supply to increase 2.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics says that because milk production may be lower than before, you may need to supplement with formula, donor-bank breast milk, and solid foods if the baby is older than 6 months 2.
- La Leche League says to talk to an IBCLC or a La Leche League Leader about which galactagogue might be best, and that galactagogues may only enhance the effectiveness of stimulation techniques and do not work in all situations 3.
**A quick, honest note:** we're not medical professionals - everything here was researched by us from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page, and it isn't professional advice. Read our full note ↓
What is relactation?
La Leche League says relactation is possible, though it requires time, patience, determination, and a cooperative baby 1. The American Academy of Pediatrics says a baby's frequent suckling and other forms of nipple stimulation, such as an electric breast pump, are critical to establishing or reestablishing milk supply 2. La Leche League says relactation sometimes produces enough breast milk to supply all of a baby's needs, while other times supplementation may still be needed 1. La Leche League says, "Only regular and frequent breast stimulation, along with emptying the breast, drives milk production" 3.
How do you relactate?
La Leche League says that to rebuild supply during relactation, a mother should hand express or pump at least eight to twelve times per day for 20 to 30 minutes, including at night 1. The American Academy of Pediatrics says you may need to nurse 8 to 10 or even more times per day, with 2 or more night feedings, for about 15 to 20 minutes per session 2. La Leche League says, "It's important to empty your breasts completely and frequently," because doing so both increases supply and helps avoid breast infections or plugged ducts 1.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that while you rebuild your supply, it is crucial to keep track of the baby's weight gain and other signs that they are getting enough calories and nutrition, and to bring the baby in for the recommended checkups 2. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that because milk production may be lower than before, you may need to supplement the baby's intake with formula, donor-bank breast milk, and solid foods if the baby is older than 6 months 2.
How long does relactation take?
The American Academy of Pediatrics says "it may take weeks for your milk supply to increase" during relactation 2. La Leche League says relactation requires time, patience, determination, and a cooperative baby 1. The American Academy of Pediatrics also says you may need to nurse 8 to 10 or even more times per day, with 2 or more night feedings, for about 15 to 20 minutes per session 2.
Do galactagogues help with relactation?
La Leche League says galactagogues may only enhance the effectiveness of stimulation techniques and do not work in all situations, and to talk to an IBCLC or a La Leche League Leader about which one might be best for your situation 3. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that while doctors may prescribe drugs such as metoclopramide to women attempting to relactate, it is the baby's frequent suckling and other nipple stimulation, such as an electric breast pump, that are critical to reestablishing milk supply 2.
Frequently asked questions
What is relactation?
La Leche League says relactation is possible, though it requires time, patience, determination, and a cooperative baby 1. La Leche League says only regular and frequent breast stimulation, along with emptying the breast, drives milk production 3.
How do you relactate?
La Leche League says that to rebuild supply, a mother should hand express or pump at least eight to twelve times per day for 20 to 30 minutes, including at night 1. The American Academy of Pediatrics says a baby's frequent suckling and other nipple stimulation, such as an electric breast pump, are critical to establishing or reestablishing milk supply 2.
How long does relactation take?
The American Academy of Pediatrics says it may take weeks for milk supply to increase during relactation 2. La Leche League says relactation sometimes produces enough breast milk to supply all of a baby's needs, while other times supplementation may still be needed 1.
Do galactagogues help with relactation?
La Leche League says galactagogues may only enhance the effectiveness of stimulation techniques and do not work in all situations, and to talk to an IBCLC or a La Leche League Leader about which might be best for your situation 3. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that although doctors may prescribe drugs such as metoclopramide, it is the baby's frequent suckling and nipple stimulation that are critical to reestablishing milk supply 2.
A note from us
We're the team behind Yael & Michal. We are not doctors, nurses, lactation consultants, or psychologists, and nothing here is professional advice.
Everything above was researched by us from public, reputable sources - we name and link every one of them below - and summarized as carefully as we could, as a free resource for other mothers. We do this because we wished something like it had existed for us.
When we name an organisation such as the CDC, the NHS, La Leche League, or the Israeli Ministry of Health, we are only citing their published guidance; it does not mean they endorse, sponsor, approve, or are affiliated with us. They have no involvement with this site, and we never use their logos or seals.
Yael & Michal sells nursing bras, which are comfort garments and not medical devices; we do not claim they prevent, treat, or cure any medical condition. The health information here is written for you as a free resource - it is separate from anything we sell.
We try hard to get it right, and we cite our sources so you can check us. But we are not a medical authority, and this cannot replace talking to a professional who knows you and your baby. Please check anything that matters with your doctor, midwife, or an IBCLC lactation consultant. This content has not been reviewed by a medical professional. Reading this site does not create a doctor-patient relationship, or any other professional relationship, between you and us.
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Sources
- La Leche League International. https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/relactation/ (retrieved 2026-07-10).
- HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics). https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/Relactation.aspx (retrieved 2026-07-10).
- La Leche League International. https://llli.org/news/back-to-breast-10-ways-to-relactate-after-a-period-of-not-breastfeeding/ (retrieved 2026-07-10).