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This article was co-authored by Sarah Siebold, IBCLC, MA. Sarah Siebold is an International board certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Lactation Educator Counselor (CLEC) based in Los Angeles, California. She runs her own lactation consulting practice called IMMA, where she specializes in emotional support, clinical care, and evidence-based breastfeeding practices. Her editorial work about new motherhood and breastfeeding has been featured in VoyageLA, The Tot, and Hello My Tribe. She completed her clinical lactation training in both private practice and outpatient settings through the University of California, San Diego. She also earned her M.A. in English and American Literature from New York University.
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Lactation is the production of milk in the mammary glands. It occurs naturally during pregnancy and post-pregnancy breastfeeding. If you are planning on adopting a baby or working as a wet nurse, you may wish to induce lactation. You may also wish to encourage milk production if you fear a low milk supply. You can induce lactation with hormone therapy and electric pumping. To encourage your milk supply after giving birth, pump when needed, nurse frequently, and take care of your health.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Inducing Lactation
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1Begin hormone therapy 8 months before you want to nurse. Ask your doctor to provide a regimen of hormones starting about 8 months before you would like to start nursing. Your doctor will prescribe estrogen or progesterone to mimic the effects of pregnancy on your body. Take these hormones for six months or longer, and then switch to pumping.[1]
- Your doctor will prescribe estrogen and progesterone to mimic the hormones present in your body during pregnancy.
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2Stimulate milk production with a breast pump. Two months before you would like to start breastfeeding, begin using a breast pump. The breast pump will stimulate the hormone prolactin, which causes your body to produce milk.[2]
- Begin by pumping 3 times a day for 5 minutes at a time. Do this for at least two days.[3]
- Slowly increase the frequency of your pumping until you are pumping for 10 minutes every 4 hours. Set an alarm so you can pump at least once during the nighttime.
- Once you feel comfortable with this, increase the frequency slowly until you are pumping every 2 to 3 hours for 15 to 20 minutes.
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3Ask your doctor about medications to induce lactation. If you don't have time for hormone therapy, you may be able to take other medications. Medicines that stimulates prolactin are called "galactogogues." Your doctor may prescribe Metoclopramide or Domperidone.[4]
- The effectiveness of these drugs is variable.[5]
- Don't use Metoclopramide if you suffer from depression or asthma.
- If you live in the United States, your doctor may not prescribe you Domperidone, as it is not FDA approved.
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4Supplement your supply with formula or pumped breast milk. With induced lactation, you probably won't come up with quite enough breast milk to nourish a child, especially during the first few weeks. In between nursing, feed your child with formula or breast milk you have pumped. You may also use pasteurized milk from a donor.[6]
- Whenever you do bottle feed, use your breast pump. This will encourage your breasts to continue producing milk.
- Ask your doctor about getting a device that attaches to your breast but delivers donor milk or formula. Like a breast pump, this will help stimulate milk production.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Promoting Production
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1Start breastfeeding as soon as you have your baby. If you give birth, hold your baby against your skin immediately. This will help awaken the nursing instinct, and your baby should begin to breastfeed within the hour. If you have induced lactation, do the same, but have some formula or donated milk on hand to supplement what you have.[7]
- If you wait too long to start nursing, it can lower your milk supply.
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2Breastfeed your baby 8-12 times a day. Breastfeed 8-12 times a day for the first several weeks. This means breastfeeding every 2-3 hours, including several times at night. Doing it less may lower your milk supply.[8]
- Don't skip sessions. If your baby is sleeping or needs to be bottle-fed, pump at the time you would normally be nursing.
- Don't wait for your breasts to refill. You should still have milk even when your breasts are not swollen.
EXPERT TIPSarah Siebold is an International board certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Lactation Educator Counselor (CLEC) based in Los Angeles, California. She runs her own lactation consulting practice called IMMA, where she specializes in emotional support, clinical care, and evidence-based breastfeeding practices. Her editorial work about new motherhood and breastfeeding has been featured in VoyageLA, The Tot, and Hello My Tribe. She completed her clinical lactation training in both private practice and outpatient settings through the University of California, San Diego. She also earned her M.A. in English and American Literature from New York University.International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Sarah Siebold, IBCLC, MA
International Board Certified Lactation ConsultantOur Expert Agrees: As you breastfeed, make sure the baby's mouth is open wide to ensure that they're getting enough milk. Also, listen for rhythmic sucking and swallowing noises.
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3Stimulate your milk-ejection reflex. There are many ways to signal to your body that you would like to nurse. It may be enough to hold your baby against your bare skin.
- Apply a warm compress or towel soaked in warm water to your breast. Stroke your breast lightly with your fingertips. This will relax you and can stimulate your milk-ejection reflex.
- You may also massage your breast much in the way you would conduct a self-exam. Press your fingers flatly and firmly against your milk glands and milk ducts. Massage them in slow, firm circles. Massage from the outside in a spiral towards the areola.
- Lean forward and lightly jiggle your breasts. Gravity should help draw milk into your nipples.
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4Nurse on both sides. After your baby has nursed energetically on one side and has slowed down, switch them to the other breast. Your milk supply will decrease if your baby strongly favors one breast over the other.[9]
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5Wait before introducing a pacifier. Your baby's latch will be stronger if they learn how to suckle your nipple before they learn how to suckle a pacifier. If you would like to give your child a pacifier, wait 3-4 weeks after birth. The stronger your baby's latch, the more milk you will produce.[10]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Natural Methods
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1Eat some oats. Oats may help you lactate, and they are easy to take! You don't need to talk to an expert before introducing oats to your diet. Just have oatmeal for breakfast. [11]
- The most traditional approach is to start the day with a bowl of oatmeal. However, some nursing parents find that oats in other forms, such as granola, cookies, and oat bran also help.
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2Consider taking herbal supplements. You can buy most supplements at health stores, or order them online. Visit a lactation consultant before you buy any supplements, or talk to your doctor to make sure the supplements you are interested in won't interfere with any of your existing medications.[12]
- Fenugreek is a traditional galactagogue (prolactin stimulator). Its effectiveness has not been scientifically proven, but some people report success using it to increase milk supply.[13]
- Blessed thistle and alfalfa may help on their own or paired with fenugreek.
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3Stay hydrated. Drink water, juice, and milk to stay hydrated. Aim to drink about 8 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) glasses of liquid a day.[14]
- It's fine to have some coffee and caffeinated tea, but cut down on it if you feel it's interfering with your child's sleep.
- If you have an alcoholic drink, wait two hours before nursing.
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4Eat a healthy diet. Eat fruits and vegetables, protein, and plenty of whole grains. Eat produce in a variety of colors, such as dark greens and bright citrus fruits. So long as your child is not exhibiting allergic reactions, you can eat what you would ordinarily—just aim for healthy, whole foods whenever you can.[15]
- Look out for adverse reactions to cow's milk. If you eat a lot of dairies and your child shows signs of allergy, such as rash, vomiting, or bloating. stop consuming it. Talk to your doctor about taking calcium or Vitamin D supplements instead.
- Ask your doctor or dietician about vitamins and supplements. If you are a vegan or are likely to be missing vitamins for another reason, talk to your doctor about introducing B12 or a multivitamin into your diet.
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5Limit your use of medications that interfere with milk production. If you take a medicine that contains pseudoephedrine, such as Sudafed or Zyrtec D, it may decrease your milk supply. Some kinds of hormonal contraception may also interfere with your ability to lactate. Talk to your doctor if you are on hormonal contraception.[16]
- Read the label on any medication you take. If there is a warning for nursing mothers, consult your doctor.
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Warnings
- Avoid drinking or smoking. Alcohol and tobacco may lower your milk supply.⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/induced-lactation/faq-20058403
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/induced-lactation/faq-20058403
- ↑ https://www.asklenore.info/breastfeeding/induced_lactation/pumping_instructions.shtml
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12192964
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/breastfeeding/metoclopramide.html
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/induced-lactation/faq-20058403
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/low-milk-supply/faq-20058148
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/low-milk-supply/faq-20058148
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/low-milk-supply/faq-20058148
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/low-milk-supply/faq-20058148
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/06/breastfeed-longer-the-whys-and-hows/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/06/breastfeed-longer-the-whys-and-hows/
- ↑ https://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/qa/fenugreek
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/breast-feeding/art-20047138?pg=2
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/breastfeeding-nutrition/art-20046912?pg=2
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/low-milk-supply/faq-20058148
About This Article
Sarah Siebold, IBCLC, MA
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
This article was co-authored by Sarah Siebold, IBCLC, MA. Sarah Siebold is an International board certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Lactation Educator Counselor (CLEC) based in Los Angeles, California. She runs her own lactation consulting practice called IMMA, where she specializes in emotional support, clinical care, and evidence-based breastfeeding practices. Her editorial work about new motherhood and breastfeeding has been featured in VoyageLA, The Tot, and Hello My Tribe. She completed her clinical lactation training in both private practice and outpatient settings through the University of California, San Diego. She also earned her M.A. in English and American Literature from New York University. This article has been viewed 2,203,626 times.
Co-authors: 19
Updated: December 13, 2022
Views: 2,203,626
Categories: Breastfeeding
Article SummaryX
If you want to start lactating, talk to your doctor 8 months before you want to nurse so they can prescribe you a regimen of hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, to mimic pregnancy in your body. Two months before you plan to nurse, you can stimulate milk production by using a breast pump 3 times a day for 5 minutes at a time. After you’ve pumped for 2 days, slowly increase your pumping frequency until you’re pumping for 10 minutes every 4 hours. Then, increase the frequency so you’re pumping every 2 to 3 hours for 15 to 20 minutes. You'll also need to pump at least once during the nighttime, so try setting an alarm to help you remember. For more advice, including how to promote milk production while nursing, scroll down!
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