title: Experiential Perceptions of Relactation: A Phenomenological Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Relactation is the process of re-establishing a breast milk supply that has diminished or ceased.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of women living in Montana who chose to attempt relactation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A phenomenological approach was used to understand the lived experiences of 10 women in Montana who attempted relactation. In-depth interviews were conducted, and a 21-item categorical and open-ended demographic and experiential questionnaire was completed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An overarching theme that could have affected the initial breastfeeding experience, and furthered the need for relactation, was having a difficult baby. Examples of being difficult included colic, latching issues, or a lack of bonding felt by the participant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When asked about the experience of relactation, participants reflected on the emotional aspects of the process rather than the physical process. The most common feelings expressed were rejection, anger, stress, and failure. Future studies could examine what factors are present with women who continue nursing versus factors that are absent in women who discontinue nursing difficult babies, which could help prevent the need for relactation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA amy.lommen@umontana.edu.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lommen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA.
authors.forename: Blakely
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA.
authors.forename: Dusten
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hollist
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D009009:Montana; D009034:Mother-Child Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: breast milk; breastfeeding; colic; phenomenology; relactation