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

I've never had a child, had a hysterectomy in my early 20s. I've noticed that my milk supply is slowly increasing (I'm up to about 6 or 7oz per day now) after 3 weeks of pumping.

Do those of you who have had children (and breastfed them) before notice that you were able to get in more milk?

How often is someone able to breastfeed without having to supliment?

I'm pumping every four hours now (once at night) should I increase that closer to when the baby is going to be born? (he's due in 9 weeks, but our surrogate usually goes a bit early)

Thank you all for your help.

Did you do the protocol? Are you taking domperidone and herbs? Most women who do the protocol get a very good supply. Some have to supplement at some point and others do not. So there really isn't anyway to tell.

Yup, did the menopausal protocol. I'm on the domperidone and fenugreek/blessed thistle right now.
I guess I just need some reassurance that this can work, that I'm not alone. I'm just getting nervous with the little one coming fairly soon. Nobody in my family seems to understand why I'm doing this if I may have to supliment anyhow.

my family is the same way. I just say there is more to breast feeding than breast milk!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi,

Congratulations on your impending arrival!

When you say you did the menopause protocol did you notice that we recommend AT LEAST 60 days on the meds? Longer is always better. Did you do more than 60 days? I'm trying to figure out why you would opt to pump for 12 weeks instead of taking the time to continue on the medications? The longer on the meds the more milk mothers typically make. The guide to the protocols states that moms expecting babies through surrogacy are recommended to use the regular protocol because you have so much lead time. Please take a look at the printable version here: http://www.asklenore.info/breastfeeding/print/induced_lactation/protocols4print.html

The milk supply of an inducing mother does not speed up at the same rate as a birth mother. We need to work a little harder. That's why we typcially recommend having a supplementer on hand to take up the slack for you.

As for explaining why you're doing this, how about: "I'm doing this because I love my baby and because this is one of the best ways to nurture him/her and because my baby will be smarter, healthier, and have better teeth and jaw formation, and will be looking at my face instead of a plastic container filled with formula and because this makes me happy....it makes me feel like my body is doing something it's supposed to do...and I find this healing and cathartic."

Even tiny amounts of breastmilk contain loads of antibodies and other goodies and breastfeeding reduces your chances of developing breast cancer.

If these answers aren't enough for them it's their problem, not yours. Tell them the subject is closed but if they want more information they can visit this webpage: http://www.promom.org/101/

Best,

I love that response. I'm going to be telling it to the next person who says anything.

I was on the domperidone/yasmin for almost 4 months. I didn't realize that I cold have stayed on it longer. Also we figure that this little one will be born a couple of weeks early (but there is the chance she will go to term) and that put me pumping at 10 - 12 weeks. I was told by the clinic that was fine.
Thanks for your support.

Pumping is always good but the staying on the protocol is the generally the better option. Some women stay on it for a very long time awaiting a match. Usually if you have a surrogate you can do the protocol through their pregnancy and then stop and pump before baby arrives. I am curious, you mention a clinic. Does that mean you have someone guiding and helping you? I am very interested.

When I first started I went to Dr Newman's clinic. Super nice people there btw. I have contacted then a couple of times with questions. I probably won't be going back to them until after our little guy is born. Overall I'm doing fine and they are always able to answer any questions.

That is great to know. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />