Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Natural Methods to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply maintaining milk supply after failed adoption

I am new to this forum. I followed the protocol for inducing lactation because I expected to adopt a baby in December. It looks like that adoption has fallen through, and I'm not sure what to do now.

I want to be able to breastfeed the baby we do adopt, but pumping for however many months/years that may take is a daunting prospect. What's the minimum I can do to maintain milk production over the long haul - both in terms of pumping and supplements (which get expensive pretty quickly)?

Or should I just stop for now, and restart the protocol next time a baby comes into view? Or should I lay in a good supply now and then stop so I'll have something ready for the baby until I can get producing again?

I am currently pumping 4-5 times a day. I have been pumping for about 2 weeks. Every day I take 80 mg domperidone, 9 capsules blessed thistle and 9 capsules fenugreek. I eat oatmeal for breakfast most days. I am up to about 1/4 oz per pumping out of the left breast. The right breast only produces a few drops, but that's another problem for another day.

I just wanted to give you my sympathies about your adoption falling through. Coming from experience, it is a major disappointment--give yourself time to grieve and know that the child that is meant to be yours is on her or his way...but it's not in our hands. (apparently!) This is why your decision about what to do doesn't have an easy answer.

I'll let the experts lay out the pros and cons...

Hi Sharon,

You have several options. You can stop for now and restart later, or you can maintain your milk supply by pumping at least 3 times per day and building a supply in your freezer. Either way you can continue the meds you are on or stop. Another option is to stop pumping, go back on the birth control pill/domperidone combination and wait. Some moms find this option the easiest because it can be a chore to keep pumping for weeks or months. This is the beauty of the protocols. They are so flexible.

Do what you feel is right for you. And kindly discuss this with your doctor.

Best, Lenore