Induced Lactation - It sounds odd, right? Who needs to induce lactation? Many people don’t realize, but it’s possible to do so in women who have adopted a baby or who have had a surrogate carry their child. Despite not having carried the child themselves, some women want to be able to have that bond and/or offer the health benefits of breastfeeding to these children. Inducing lactation is a long process that requires a huge time commitment and you’ll need to know a few things going in!
How Do I Start?
There are several protocols that may be followed, including the most popular: the Newman-Goldfarb protocols. Dr. Newman is pediatrician who partnered up with Ms. Goldfarb, a lactation consultant. The exact instructions range based on the time you may have before the baby’s arrival. For example a mother expecting a child via a surrogate may know about a child’s arrival before a mother who is adopting. Either way, a combination of birth control pills, medications such as oral domperidone, and other methods are timed to allow the body to be sort of tricked into expecting a baby.
What’s Next?
Will It Work?
According to one study on the Newman-Goldfarb protocols, women who followed the protocol for 6 months or more before the child arrived in their care were able to produce 50-100% of their baby’s dietary needs. For those who had less time to prepare, they were able to produce anywhere from 25-50% of the dietary needs for their child.
What Else Can I Do?
Following these protocols means using medications for induced lactation and to trick your body a little. In addition to that, the use of herbal remedies, such as fenugreek or blessed thistle, have been used for generations to boost milk supply in lactating women. There are many options, such as supplements, cookie mixes, or drink mixes that can help women with induced lactation and boost their supply in a convenient method!
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