Waiting on Milk

[hopenpray]

We plan to adopt soon. We've completed our homestudy and are just waiting. I'm doing the Newman protocols and have been on domperidone for about 6 weeks now. I started pumping with a hospital grade pump today (Medala Symphony) and I got nothing - no liquid, no nothing. For those who had to induce lactation, how long did it take before you started getting milk from pumping?

[jessiehannan]

It can take a while, I am afraid. Just keep on pumping, and pumping and pumping some more, and it will happen. Also, stress will negatively impact supply as well.
Will you be using an SNS once your baby arrives?

[hopenpray]

Thank you so much. It is frustrating and more difficult than I thought to be pumping so often without the benefit of a child or the resulting milk. I keep getting a few drops, but no spray and my breast are getting sore. Anyway, I will try to keep the stress down. I have purchased both a Medella SNS and a LactAid.

[hopenpray]

By the way, how do you define awhile . . . .

[Maret00]

I would think you may need to even have the baby first so that that flow of emotions like birth or holding your baby for the first time would help the milk flow. Keep at it nursing your baby is the best!

[Shaunsmom]

I would think you may need to even have the baby first so that that flow of emotions like birth or holding your baby for the first time would help the milk flow. Keep at it nursing your baby is the best!

Maret- I'm a bit confused. How does the birth and holding the baby for the first time help a mom induce lactation for an adopted baby?

[mnq74420]

I am doing the same protocols. I have been pumping for four days no luck yet but I'm hopeful. I also jusst finished the home study. My son is due July 6th. I also bought a SNS, do you have one?. Good luck to you

[jessiehannan]

awhile means it will differ from person to person.
Are your breasts sore, or just your nipples? If it is nipple soreness, try lanolin and check the size of your flanges and maybe reduce the suction.
And some drops are better than nothing at all!

[mandie82481]

The primary method of inducing milk production in a woman who has not given birth is to have the baby positioned and sucking well at the breast. Adoptive mothers often need to pay especially close attention to the positioning and latch of the baby. Bottle nipples, which most of our adopted babies have had before we get them, do not require the baby to take an active part in getting them into his mouth. Nor do they require the same type of sucking that nursing at the breast does. Some are worse than others. In general, the smaller, more pointed, bottle nipples are the worst for a baby whose adoptive mother want to nurse him. They, in effect, "confuse" the baby about what he needs to do for food. Nursing can, of course, still be done, although it may take a bit more patience and creativity, but it is much easier to prevent the problems they cause.

http://breast-feeding.adoption.com/nursing/stimulating-breastmilk-production.html

http://www.adopting.org/adoptions/factsheet-breastfeeding-your-adopted-baby-adoptive-breastfeeding.html

http://www.gotbreastpump.com/wordpress/can-i-restart-breastmilk-for-an-adopted-baby/comment-page-1

hope them 3 sites help t. I also wanted to tell you that I know bringing the baby to breast for the first time without having and ample supple is scary but a newborns belly is very small and does not need a whole lot. If your still having problems or are worried then I would think about using donated breast milk, check with your local hospitial. Always bring baby to breast first. When you hold your baby, your milk will come in!

[mandie82481]

Maret- I'm a bit confused. How does the birth and holding the baby for the first time help a mom induce lactation for an adopted baby?


Most mothers do not produce milk until their child is in their arms and in need of their mothers milk, a pump does not always do the trick!! That is what was ment. :hugegrin:

[ChristmasTree]

you really need to stay on the protocol for at least 6 months to allow milk ducts to develop (protocol of domperidone and birthcontrol) no pumping. if you do not know when the baby will be there i would not pump and stay on the bc and the dom until you have a placement (which you will most likely have weeks or months to wait for the baby to be born) then you will stop the bc and start the herbs and pumping.

[lactivist_heather]

Maret- I'm a bit confused. How does the birth and holding the baby for the first time help a mom induce lactation for an adopted baby?


Also on this note.... even if you've actually given birth to the baby you will produce more milk from nursing the baby at the breast then you will with a pump.