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Lactation After Loss

What is the Lactation After Loss Program?

Lactation After Loss (LAL) is a program from the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) to support families and healthcare providers.

The program goals include:

1. Educating parents about lactation options after a loss due to miscarriage (16-weeks gestation or later), stillbirth, or infant loss

2. Educating providers to increase knowledge surrounding lactation options after a loss and comfortability in having these conversations with families

3. Providing support regarding lactation to grieving mothers

What comes in a Lactation After Loss kit?

A Lactation After Loss kit comes with a variety of items that will help mom with whatever she decides to do with her milk supply. Whether that is donating her milk in honor of her baby or drying up her supply, our lactation kits will give mom the tools she needs. Kits include education about options for families, a breast pump to help with expression or comfort during suppression and pumping supplies.

Also in the kits are resource folders that include the booklet “Your Guide to Grief,” a letter from a mom who has experienced a loss, a nipple measuring guide, a sample of CaboCrème to assist with engorgement, information about the program and how to take care of yourself after a loss, as well as a sympathy card. The resource folders are available to all families experiencing a loss, whether they decide to take an entire kit.

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Meet the Poindexter Family

Lactation After Loss was developed after hearing from the Poindexter Family about their experience losing their daughter Campbell. The family was contacted by their local Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Coordinator for a family interview and asked what could be done to improve the care families receive after losing a child to late term miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. Annabelle, Campbell’s mom, said that she did not expect her body to lactate after her loss and that it would have been helpful to know what to expect with her milk supply and about resources available once her supply came in. From that interview, Lactation After Loss was developed.

After their loss, Annabelle became a milk donor with The Milk Bank – helping save infant lives. Click here to learn more about The Milk Bank’s bereavement program and to listen to Annabelle and Logan courageously share their daughter Campbell’s story.

Contact

Request a Birth or Death Certificate

Dos & Don'ts

Resources

FAQS

Partners

Providers

What are the options available to moms?

Whatever decision you make, is the right decision. Here are some options to consider when deciding what to do with your milk supply.

1. Dry up your milk supply. If you choose to suppress your milk and not lactate it is suggested that you wear a well-fitting sports bra (tight binding is not recommended), apply cold compresses to your breasts, or place cold cabbage leaves around your breasts to reduce inflammation and discomfort. You should try not to express milk, because that will prolong the time it takes to dry up your supply. If you must express milk for comfort, you should do it for only a few minutes – just enough to feel some relief.

2. Donate your milk in honor of your baby. It is important when choosing this option that you pump and store the milk correctly. (See FAQs on the correct way to store milk)

Connect with The Milk Bank to start this process. Click here to be taken to The Milk Bank’s site.

Drying Up Supply:

DosDon'ts
Do only express milk if you feel discomfortDon't bind your breasts tightly - this can cause mastitis (an infection) that can be painful. If you think you have developed an infection, reach out to your doctor
Do apply a cold compress to reduce swelling 
Do have good breast support, try a comfortable and supportive bra 
Do insert washcloths or breast pads in your bra to catch leaking milk 
Do reach out to The Milk Bank for help drying up your supply

Donating Your milk:

DosDon'ts
Do reach out to The Milk Bank to discuss how to start the process of milk donationDon’t feel obligated to donate once you have a conversation with The Milk Bank. You may decide that milk donation is not the best option for you or your family once you have more information, and that is okay. Do know that we want you to make the best choice for you
Do start hand expressing or pumping and storing your milk 
Do know that the more often you hand express or pump, the more milk you are likely to produce

Family Resources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question that you think would be helpful to add here? Email IDOHFIMR@health.in.gov

Our Partners

Contact

IDOHFIMR@health.in.gov

Or contact Emily Twarogal, Lactation After Loss Program Coordinator