Monday, April 11, 2011

Inducing Lactation

I understand that breastfeeding adopted babies is somewhat controversial.  I breastfed Lexi until she self-weaned.  I am a big believer in the importance of breastmilk.  So, when we thought about adopting, I couldn't imagine NOT trying to induce lactation.  I've read things all over the web and in books about inducing lactation and I've come up with a plan.

This is the protocol I am going to use to induce lactation. 

Weeks 1-2
-30mg of Domperidone 3x a day
-I work full time right now, but I have a long lunch break.
-My plan is to pump about 6-7 times a day.

Week 3:
-Continue domperidone & pumping.
-3 Blessed Thistle (390 mg per capsule) 3x a day
-3 Fenugreek seed (610 mg per capsule) 3x a day with meals.
-Eat lots of oatmeal

I'm hoping for the best because when I breastfed Lexi we never had any problems. I know every child is different, but I pumped for her and I always responded well to the pump. I would get 8-10 ounces in about 10 minutes. I realize my supply may not be that great right off the bat, but I have every reason to believe I can do this. I'm not going to do birth control (which is a suggested method of relactation) because I don't think I really have the time for that protocol, and (tmi) birth control made me cuh-razy when I was on it in the past.  I also don't believe that the hormones are safe in general.

I have a Medela Pump in Style that I used when Lexi was little.   I estimate that I have about 60 hours of pumping time on that pump.  I'm hoping that my pump still has enough life in it so that I don't have to rent a hospital grade pump.

I figured I'm sharing everything else that I'm doing to get ready for the baby, so I might as well share this too.

5 comments:

  1. And Kalli said pumping between 3-5am is supposed to be good too.. <3

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  2. I pumped for Charlotte because I was still working at FSU when she was little. I had a Pump In Style but it wasn't working for me as well as I'd hoped, so on the advice of a lactation consultant, I rented a double pump from the hospital. Honestly, the difference was night and day. So if the PIS isn't doing it for you, please consider the hospital rental sooner rather than later. I hope it works for you...what a gift for your new baby!

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  3. I induced for my my sons and to-date still don't get that much when I pump (even though baby E is now almost 8 months). I think you're going to be amazingly successful! Good luck!!!

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  4. Thank you ladies. I'm very hopeful that I will be able to feed my baby with no supplements. It would be so wonderful.

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  5. I just went back and read all blog posts...dunno how I missed out on it...so happy for y'all...and I didn't even know this was possible! Absolutely amazing!

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