Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Encouragement Please?

Hello Everyone,

I guess I am looking for a little encouragement. The holidays were so busy and for Christmas and New Years I was sick. I have gotten really laxed in my pumping. I have been only pumping about 4 times a day sometimes more. So with the New Year I am thinking how long can I continue to do this and how long should I keep it up. I mean what if I never get a baby. Or what if my baby comes years from now. How long can I realistically do this.

I thought that because we were so open that things would happen fast for us but in a few more months we will hit our one year mark that we have been waiting. I think that I can continue pumping a few more months. I think that once I hit the point that I have been doing this for a year which will be in April that I may have to call it quits.

So for now my hubby wants me to quit and I say just let me do this a little while longer. I have decided that I want to pump 4 times a day. Some days if I can pump more than four then great but if I can't well then that 's okay. So to pump four times a day do I need to cut back on any pills? Some nights though I could get in another pumping session.

Maybe because I have been sick and so busy, but I can't even enjoy pumping. Not that you enjoy it but some days I dread it. I am afraid that by the time my baby comes that I will not want to nurse or nurse for just a few months because I pumped for so long and got sick of it.

I am hopeful though of getting a full supply once my baby comes. I am averaging about 15 ozs. a day or more. I am afraid that if I stop that I will lose alot of ground. Just the other morning I pumped 7 1/2 ozs. so that gave me encouragement. My sister says that once you have nursed it's like your body remembers. So if I were to stop in a few months would I have better luck the second time around. It has been hard to to stick to the rule of every two to three hours so maybe that is why I have not been as succesful as some others.

And finally if I were to stop do you think that I could have sucess with domperidone and pumping once I knew of a baby's arrival. I would take the herbs, drink water, and eats lots of oatmeal. If I could at least get back up to 15 ozs. then at least I got back up to where I am now.

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bella

Bella, I don't know your whole situation so I really don't feel qualified to comment on most of what you asked. I will tell you though that all your pumping will not make you lose interest in nursing your baby when he/she arrives. Nursing is so very different from pumping and is so rewarding. The first time your baby smiles at you with that milky grin it is awesome. The relationship you build with your child is worth whatever it takes. I think you have to decide when it is time to stop and consider if you do stop and a baby comes into sight you could always do the accelerated protocol and get going again.

Bella, I agree with the previous post. I did the accelerated protocol and HATED pumping with a passion. My daughter came home August 5th (at 10 weeks old) and I began nursing with the SNS and then switched to the Lact-aid. I don't pump at all anymore! My supply began at almost nothing and now I only supplement with 4-6 ounces formula daily! I say stick with the pumping 4 times a day. You are so close to a full supply already that it would be a shame to quit now! I LOVE nursing my daughter!! It is nothing like the pump! She's 7 months old now and I don't plan on quitting any time soon. There is nothing like it for bonding with an adopted baby! Sorry I'm rambling, but I can't stress enough how much you'll love nursing!! Sandra
ps: check out pics at www.martinsite.net!!

Bella, I can offer you encouragement, from someone who's been there.
I began pumping January 2003, and was matched in July, with someone due in October. The match fell through in September, and I really started to question if I could continue. The thing that really encouraged me to keep going was the fact that I was donating my milk. I was also encouraged that I had done so well, and I think you should be encouraged with how well you have done, also. I continued to pump, and was matched on October 3rd, with a baby boy due October 31st. That match was successful, and our ds was born November 6th.
I was able to endure pumping six times a day because I was able to just sit in the front room, and watch tv while I pumped. My dd would just climb all over me, or cuddle me, if she wanted. Usually she just ignored the fact that I was pumping, as she got so accustomed to it. She went through a phase where she insisted on setting up my breast pump for me, too.
I can assure you that nursing is nothing like pumping. After pumping for 10 months, the first time I put Jeran to the breast, I wasn't sure I would ever be able to do this. It took us 2 full days to start getting really comfortable with nursing, but we are so very happy. You will enjoy it, too. And it doesn't matter if you nurse for a few months, a year, or a couple of years. You do what you are comfortable with, and happy with, and don't let anyone make you feel guilty about it. I didn't nurse my dd, and although I wish I had known then what I know now, I don't feel guilty. I have a great relationship with my dd.
So I don't know if this helped or not, but I hope so. Feel free to email me at wastelands@comcast.net anytime. I get busy, so sometimes I am slow to respond, but I will definitely respond! I understand how hard the choices are right now. But you will bring your baby home.

Hi Bella,
I know that after doing the protocol for seven months, and then pumping for four months I had to stop, after they told me our daughter may not be home for 9-12 months..instead of the 4 months they had promised. I just couldn't pump for another 5 months plus . I was going to start the domperidone and pumping soon, but during and even after stopping the protocol my blood sugasr has consistently been almost 300 and I am getting infections all the time etc.. I was strict on the Atkins, which usually keeps my blood sugar around 70-80, but even on the strictest phase my blood sugar is still 178-200. I am wondering if the domperidone and pumping at this point will be contraindicated..since I had gained 15 lbs last time I did just the dom. and pumping,,then 45 lbs on the protocol..I am afraid to gain any more weight.. I know you hare doing well with 15 plus ounces a day,,but, like you said, it has been 1 year..you must have an entire freezer full..you could use the Lact-aid and domperidone with your milk until your supply gets back up.
Its a hard decision,,I really hope you get a match soon,,take care and Happy New Year to all, Cathy

Hi Bella,

I hear ya, girl. Just today we decided not to pursue the other US possibility due to it being in the $16,000 price range. Also our Emily is coming home from Ethiopia in less than 2 months, Lord-willing. I am THRILLED to be so close to her arrival. BUT she is 18 months already and may or may not nurse. SO-- what to do about pumping? I am not sure yet, but am thinking of cutting back to 3 times per day, just so I'll have some milk if she is interested... my husband says if I can't get her to nurse, then non one can! He knows how persistent I am! But after all the months spent pumping it is tough knowing she may not go for it. If I had it to do again, no way would I start pumping while waiting on the uncertainty of a domestic adoption situation. (We decided to go with Ethiopia AFTER I had pumped/ waited on the US for 6+ months).

if we do end up getting a young baby, either from Ethiopia or the US next time around, I will probably just use the lactaid and my freezer stash rather than pump in advance and possibly be disappointed again. After all, I had a lovely nursing experience with my Joshua even with the hassle of the lactaid. I think in my eagerness to ditch the lactaid I also discounted the value of the wonderful time Joshua and I had nursing even with the lactaid..... Just my thoughts....

Thank you all for your kindness and encouragement. It means the world to me. I am not ready to hang in the towel quite yet. My perspective needs to change I think. I want to look at pumping as a means to nurse my baby and provide the extra milk I may need if I do not get a full supply when my baby comes. My freezer is now full so I need to donate some and after the donated milk is gone I will want to fill my freezer again. So through this new outlook and prayer I think I can hang in there. Oh and on the weekends when my hubby is around the most I am only going to pump 4 times a day. This is keeping the peace but really my husband has been a trooper about it. He knows it is my decision and I think once we get our baby he will be quite proud of what I have done. Again thanks and ladies we are in this together. Mary I know how you feel. And yes if I had to do it again I would go about it differently. I should have waited until we were approved to start the protocol but I did not so now I have to make the best of the situation.

Love,
Bella