My son is almost 2, never breastfeed, but lactating?

camay1221_RN · Apr 28, 2004

Are you taking any medications? Some meds can cause lactation.

Hi,
Can any nurses help me with this? My son is 2, I never breastfeed, but I am still lactating. Is this normal? Any response will be helpful. Thanks.:imbar

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 28, 2004

have your hormones levels checked, especially prolactin.

RNStudentMary · Apr 28, 2004

Are you taking any medications? Some meds can cause lactation.

Thanks for your response. The only thing I take is Paxil for anxiety, but I only started that recently.

dansamy · Apr 28, 2004

Please see your doctor. I know hormonal imbalances can cause this, but so can tumors. It's just a good idea to get it checked out.

RNStudentMary · Apr 28, 2004

Please see your doctor. I know hormonal imbalances can cause this, but so can tumors. It's just a good idea to get it checked out.

Thank you. I will call my doctor tomorrow.

camay1221_RN · Apr 28, 2004

Paxil, being an SSRI, is a prolactin stimulator.

Thanks for your response. The only thing I take is Paxil for anxiety, but I only started that recently.

michw2 · Apr 28, 2004

I breastfeed my daughter. I had milk for 4 yrs after that, my Dr. said it is normal for some.

dansamy · Apr 29, 2004

I had milk for 4 yrs after that

Also, lactation can be induced in almost any woman who has previously breastfed an infant. Should the need for a "wet nurse" arise, almost any woman who has previously breastfed will be able to re-induce lactation with a quantity sufficient enough to supply an infant's nutritional needs. Interesting thought in the event of a terrorism attack poisoning the water supply.

RNStudentMary · Apr 29, 2004

That is really interesting. The only reason I question it is the fact that I never breastfed either of my kids, but am still lactating. I know what you mean though, my sister-in-law still lactates and her son is 23!:rotfl:

Also, lactation can be induced in almost any woman who has previously breastfed an infant. Should the need for a "wet nurse" arise, almost any woman who has previously breastfed will be able to re-induce lactation with a quantity sufficient enough to supply an infant's nutritional needs. Interesting thought in the event of a terrorism attack poisoning the water supply.

mitchsmom · May 1, 2004

Mary, did you talk to your doctor? Let us know what happens. :) Also, I am wondering exactly how much you are lactating? Are you leaking a lot of milk, are you feeling let-downs, are you just able to express a few drops out or ??? Are you now lactating more than you did after the birth (more than you did at any point)?

Paxil, being an SSRI, is a prolactin stimulator.

This is true but as a breastfeeding counselor I have never heard of it stimulating production. It's also not mentioned at all in any of my breastfeeding books or Medications and Mother's Milk. If it did I'd think women with low supply would be all over it! :) Have you ever heard of it stimulating actual production, &/or do you know where I could read more about this?

Out of curiousity I did ask on a lactation list I'm on, we'll see if anyone there has any more knowledge on it.

Energizer Bunny · May 1, 2004

Does this mean that if I really wanted to I could re-stimulate lactation to breastfeed my son again now that he understands how to suck better and his overbite is protruding less?