Inducing Lactation: Interesting Facts and Guidance How to Breastfeed Your Baby
Inducing Lactation: Interesting Facts & Guidance How to Breastfeed Your Baby
One of the most beautiful parts about a growing family? They all unfold differently! Whether your adopting or using a surrogate, lots of reasons can lead you to think about feeding your baby. No matter how you expand your family, breastfeeding’s possible with induced lactation.
Induced lactation prepares your body to produce breastmilk — without going through gestation (aka pregnancy). It’s a lot of work and there's no way to sugarcoat that. But you can count on personalized, science-backed options from me as your local Boise lactation consultant.
Whatever reason you’ve found Baby Bonds — glad you’re here! Let’s cover some amazing facts about induced breastfeeding, the most common protocol to follow, and how you have support from an experienced IBCLC near you.
3 Mind-Blowing Realities About Induced Lactation Without Pregnancy
Have you ever seen a movie where someone randomly ends up breastfeeding a baby? Usually, out of necessity, the aunt, sister, or friend pulls out a breast and nurses the infant. Seems bizarre or magical, but it was really common.
Women have been breastfeeding babies they didn’t carry for a long time! A fact that’s easily been forgotten about since the invention of formula.
You don’t have to be fertile, have ovaries, or even a uterus to induce lactation! Milk production and ejection (or emptying) are controlled by hormones released by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain — which we all have!
Studies show that induced lactation makes milk comparable to after giving birth. Your hard work and dedication will be worth it, believe me. So remember, even though your inducing lactation you’re still making liquid gold!
Parents often wonder how much milk they’ll be able to produce, and the answer varies greatly. It depends on your specific body, how long you’ve been working at it, medical conditions that can affect supply, and more.
What’s important to understand first… You’re incredible for even thinking of taking this journey because it is, without a doubt, more work. Second, breastmilk has so many health benefits that every single drop should make you beam with pride.
Let’s learn how to induce lactation with the most popular, backed-by-science method.
How to Induce Lactation The Right Way To Prepare For Your Baby
It might seem obvious but you always want to discuss inducing lactation with your personal medical team. If you start down a Google search of how to induce lactation you’ll soon be confused about what actually works. And we want you to stay safe and healthy during the process!
The Right Guidance & Support Matters Mosy While Inducing Lactation!
A study reviewing the outcomes of induced lactation found that the baby’s age, interference due to bottle feeding, breast stimulation, and support were the biggest impacts. Sometimes adoptions get delayed and your baby’s given a bottle… or maybe your surrogate goes 2 weeks overdue.
When you work with an IBCLC who’s skilled in induced lactation like Melanie at Baby Bonds, you won’t have to worry about if you’re doing the right thing or not — you’ll know and have the support you need. Whatever your reason for inducing lactation may be, expert support and guidance lead to a better outcome and easier experience for your family.
With Baby Bonds on your side you’ll have access to all the best resources Melanie can give you, plus the physical and mental support from someone who wants you to reach your feeding goals just as bad as you do!
Jack Newman's Method of Inducing Lactation
Jack Newman, a Canadian pediatrician, has been in medicine since 1970 and created the most commonly practiced method of inducing lactation. We’ll briefly go over his induced lactation timeline. You can dive deeper into the full article.
It works best if you can begin inducing lactation at least 6 months before the baby arrives. (Remember, we said it was going to be work!) A precise birth control regimen begins the process of mimicking pregnancy. Take an “active” birth control pill each day + 10 mg domperidone 4 times per day for 1 week. Then increase the dosage to 20 mg 4 times per day.
Month 4 and 5 before the baby arrives, take an “active” birth control pill each day and keep the domperidone dosage at 20 mg 4 times per day. Notice, zero recommendations for pumping or taking herbs yet.
6 weeks before the baby is due, stop the birth control pill and continue the domperidone dosage of 20 mg 4 times a day. Withdrawal bleeding occurs and should not be a cause of concern. At this point, pumping begins — every 3 hours for at least 5-7 minutes on each side. When you begin pumping, you can also start Blessed Thistle Herb (390 mg per capsule) and Fenugreek Seed (610 mg per capsule). Take 3 capsules of each 3 times a day with your meals.
One month before the baby comes, continue the domperidone dosage of 20 mg four times a day.
Once the baby arrives, continue the domperidone dosage of 20 mg 4 times per day until you have a substantial milk supply (or want to wean the Baby off the breast).
Please take a deep breath — you’re not expected to remember this. This is a basic rundown so you understand the most commonly used method. When you work with an educated IBCLC, you’ll have resources, guidance, and support every step of the way!
Your situation is unique, just like your baby's. Your body’s different than your friends, sisters, or spouse. Inducing lactation not only requires physical dedication, but mental and emotional. An IBCLC continues to support your feeding goals before and after your baby arrives, so you never have to feel alone.
Baby Bonds of Boise: Supporting Your Growing Family!
If you’re curious about induced lactation, look no further than Baby Bonds of Boise! Melanie prides herself on continuing her education in all areas of lactation to support growing families like yours.
You may think breastfeeding isn’t in the cards for your family but with the right resources and help, you can achieve the feeding goals of your dreams.
Melanie has been an IBCLC serving the Boise community for over 5 years. She’s ready to guide you during this special time of your life. Stop stressing about what to fo next or how to start, you have the lactation support you need near you!
Head on over to the new client page to get started!
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