Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Help!!! I only have 4 weeks or less!!!

We were just picked by a birthmom and she is due in less than 4
weeks...perhaps even earlier.
I have taken 4 weeks 2 days of dom and yasmin bcp. What should I do now? Should I start taking herbs and pumping and stop the bcp...what newman protocal should I do...I was doing the regular...should I switch to the rapid protocal?
Help!
Amy

amyff, Congratulations!!!! First, do you have a lact-aid? Have you seen the breast increases?
You have a couple options.
If you have seen the breast increases, you can go off the bcp now add herbs and start pumping. This could mean you might pump for anywhere from 2-6 weeks. (early or late delivery)

You can stay on the protocol for another 2 weeks (6 weeks total) then go off the bcp start herbs and pump for 2 weeks (maybe less) before baby gets here.

Or you can stay on the bcp until you know baby is on it's way go off the bcp add herbs and pump and nurse using a lact-aid. The baby will bring in your milk.

I think it is important to get a lact-aid in either scenario. You just never know if you will need it and better to be prepared.

I have seen breast changes...more fullness, tenderness. I get drops of milk in the shower when I am washing up (first clear and then yellowish-white).
Is it generally better to pump longer or be on the protocol longer...are there any studies or is it just based on stories/experiences?
So, lact-aid...not a sns, right?
Thanks so much! We are so shocked!

Also, I have nursed two bio babies in the past (ages 3 and 5) and I have been pregnant (m/c's and d+c's at 8-13 weeks) 3 times since Jan 08. So, lots of hormones have been running through this body.

It is generally best to stay on the protocol as long as you can. 30 days is the minimum for the accelerated, if you can get 6 weeks in that would be good. It sounds like your body is ready. How long ago did your 3 year old stop nursing?
I suggest the Lact-aid vs the SNS most of the moms here agree.

She stopped about 2 years ago. She wasn't interested anymore but my 5 year old nursed until she was 26 months.

We may find out this week if she is farther along than she thought through amnio...that would possibly give me only 2 weeks. She is currently scheduled for a c-section on nov. 11th.
I am just not sure what to do...

Then I would stay on the protocol until the amnio, finish out the week anyway. Then you can decide. Do you have your pump already?

amyff - Congrats. I think I would wait until you know more for sure too. I think it is hard to keep up a pumping schedule (especially with two kids at home) and you might be best only planning to pump for 2 weeks. I was on the regular protocol for 8 months and had not notice for a baby (we got the call she had been born the day before). I started pumping an hour before she was placed in our arms. I had drops the first time and was pumping a teaspoon by day two and an ounce a session by a week. I did not use the lactaid, just concentrated on pumping because she had a hard time latching with it at first (she was very small). I started nursing her at a week and feeding with a bottle after feeds and pumping after most feeds. By two weeks, we went to ebfing and have been ever since and she is 10 months.
Good luck.
Jennifer

I have a medela pump in style...I talked to my lactation consultant and she thought I should start herbs and pumping tomorrow...I just don't know. We meet the birthmom on Tues. I think I am just going to sit tight until then...
Thanks for all of the comments and ideas...you all are so helpful!