Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Just starting out

I've been lurking for awhile but want to introduce myself and share my progress. We are having a baby via gestational surrogate (edd 6/6/08) as I have health issues and can't carry myself. I started taking Dom and Goat's Rue(can't take bcp's) and pumping and after 5 days I have drops of milk!!! I will start Blessed Thistle and Fenugreek today. I know I have a loooonnngg way to build a milk supply but I have hope. This is so important to me that I breastfeed since I can't be pregnant.

Great to meet all of you!

Keep going Michele, you can do it! and what a reward it is to have that miracle baby at your breast! I know because my Abigail is 14 weeks old, born to me via TS (my sis)!
Wow, you have a such a blessing yet to come!!!
kim

Thanks for the encouragement Kim!! We are really getting excited. It is starting to feel real-we are having a baby!

Hi! I am in a similar position and timeline. My GS is due 6/13. Congrats! I have started the dom and am on BCP but I was under the impression that I should not pump until a few months before the baby is due. Is there a reason you have started so early?

Congratulations on your impending arrival!!

When you are on BCP's and Dom you should not be pumping until you stop taking the BCP's. However, I can not take the pill for health reasons so I need to start pumping as soon as I started Dom and Goat's Rue.

Got it! Thanks and good luck!!

No problem. It's nice to meet other IM who are inducing lactation. Good luck to you too.

Wow - it looks as though there are a few of us that are on the same timeline. Our little ones are due May 18/08.

Michele, I'm in a similar situation as you - I can't take BCP's either. I think it's really important to breastfeed for so many different reasons. I think it's great that you alread have drops of milk. I'm going to look into the goat's rue and add it to the dom I've been taking.

I'm really bummed out because I know I need to be pumping more - but it just isn't possible. I have no place with any privacy to do it during the day - even the bathroom at work is a communal one. I'm hoping that doing some pumping before work, right after and just before bed will do the trick. How long do you pump for? I think I read somewhere that pumping 10 minutes then resting 10 and back to pumping for 10 and resting 10 for about an hour is the way to go. Does anyone have any other tips or tricks?
Thanks,
SU

I have been pumping for 20 minutes at time every 4 hours but I don't have a problem with privacy. Maybe you could go out to your car if you drive to work. I have a hands-free bra that is great because I am typing this while pumping. But it might may it more discreet with a blanket or coat to cover.

The other thing I am doing is eating oatmeal 5-6 times a week for breakfast as it helps promote milk production. I take a prenatal vitamin and a calcium with magnesium. Calcium with magnesium helps lessen the natural decrease in milk production that comes from your menstrual period.

Maybe Lenore, Lalle or Nona all who have much more experience than I have can give you some recommendations on duration of pumping. It's great that you are doing this for your child even with the challenges to pumping!!! Congratulations!!!

Hey Michele

Every 4 hours - wow that's great! I think the way you're doing it is much better than the way I've tried. I'm going to try it. Do you get up at night too to do it?

How much goat's rue are you taking? Do you know if it has any hormones in it as I can't take any type of hormone at all.

Regarding the oatmeal - I'll try it, but I'm not a big fan of it. Hopefully, I'll be able to get it down! I don't get a period (due to Asherman's) so, I'm assuming the calium and magnesium aren't going to be necessary????

Thanks,
SU