I'm adopting a newborn, and I'd like to breastfeed the baby when I bring him home. Can I produce breast milk if I haven't been pregnant?
Breastfeeding without pregnancy is called induced lactation. It may be possible to do through specific methods and preparation.
Lactation is the natural production of breast milk. It starts in the final months of pregnancy when the hormones estrogen, progesterone and human placental lactogen interact. At delivery, levels of these hormones fall. This allows the hormone prolactin to increase and start milk production.
Induced lactation depends on replicating this process. If you have months to prepare, your healthcare team may prescribe hormone therapy to mimic the effects of pregnancy. This can include supplemental estrogen or progesterone. Hormone therapy may last for months.
About two months before you plan to start breastfeeding, you'll likely stop hormone therapy and start pumping your breasts with a hospital-grade electric breast pump. This promotes the production and release of prolactin. It's typical to start by pumping for five minutes three times a day. Work up to pumping for 10 minutes every four hours, including at least once during the night. Then increase pumping time to 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. Do this routine until the baby arrives.
If you have only a short time to prepare, hormone therapy may not be an option. Your healthcare team may recommend other medicines to help induce lactation. Pumping remains important for whatever time you have.
When you begin to breastfeed the baby, your healthcare professional may tell you to keep pumping, including after feedings, to help build your milk supply. Even if you're able to induce lactation, you may need to supplement feedings with formula or pasteurized donor human milk , especially during the first weeks of breastfeeding.
To encourage continued nipple and breast stimulation, you may use a supplemental feeding aid that delivers donor breast milk or formula through a device that attaches to your breast. You also can give supplemental feedings with a bottle. To protect your milk supply, pump each time your baby receives a bottle-feeding.
To learn more about induced lactation and how to increase your chances of successful breastfeeding, contact a lactation consultant at a local hospital or clinic.
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