Inducing Lactation - Page 2

[KSDoulaMama]

Just wanted to pop in and say that my partner's story about inducing lactation and co-breastfeeding was published on Offbeat Mama yesterday! They kind of did some weird things with the editing, but here it is: http://offbeatmama.com/2011/02/co-breastfeeding

[wehrli]

Originally Posted by KSDoulaMama 

Just wanted to pop in and say that my partner's story about inducing lactation and co-breastfeeding was published on Offbeat Mama yesterday! They kind of did some weird things with the editing, but here it is: http://offbeatmama.com/2011/02/co-breastfeeding

great article!! super awesome story!

[immabean3]

My partner and I are going to be talking to our OBGYN this week about co breastfeeding.  I will be inducing lactation, my partner will be 35 weeks pregnant with our twins this Thursday.  Inducing now is a little late in the game, but we figure better now then never.  I am looking forward to bonding with our babies this way and being able to help feed them by breast rather than bottle.

Any words of wisdom or support any of you could offer would be fantastic.

[osker]

Your OB may not know anything about it, but don't get discouraged. Ask around your area for a LLL, a lactation consultant, a midwife, someone like that who might know more about it.  My PCP knew nothing but was very supportive. Our midwife group practice turned out to be the place we found the most support and experience.  But, don't assume that people who don't know anything about it won't be supportive either. The nurses in the hospital when E was born thought it was the most amazing thing they'd ever heard and they were very supportive, reminded me to pump, stored my milk in the nursery fridge, helped with latch.. all during the week we were there with her birth.

Good luck and congrats!!! How exciting! Twins!

[AngelaM]

If you haven't already, purchase a Lact-Aid. I gave birth to my DD but had very low supply, and the Lact-Aid was a life-saver in letting her nurse at the breast. Much better than an SNS too...

[jmoon]

I've spoken to some of you separately, but I just found this thread and thought I'd join the discussion, as it's relevant.

I'm a student midwife, doing my bachelor's research on shared breastfeeding in queer families, and am looking for more parents who would like to fill out my questionnaire (when it's done).  Open to families who induced lactation as well as those who had babies close together or alternated or any other arrangement.  Trans and poly families also welcome, and I'd love to have both/all involved parents participate.  I'm happy to give more info as desired.

I am queer myself, though not a parent yet.  I'm really excited about this research!

Thank you all!

[RStelle]

We are not co-bf but I'm very interested in this. My DD is always wanting to nurse from DP, DP has let her sometimes but DD gets annoyed that there's no milk. Anyway, next time around I would love to try it. I'm wondering about the medication for those of you who used it. How did you get it, and are you worried about any side effects? Also, does lactating in the past make it more likely that your supply will be higher when you induce? We are planing on DP carrying the next baby and the idea of not being able to bf makes me sad.

[darthtunaqueen]

Oh wow I just found this thread (thanks RStelle for giving it a bump!).

DW is the intended GP (we're still TTC), I had thought about inducing lactation, but then thought that the time involved would take away from our baby (once it's here) too much, so I scrapped that idea, but you guys seem to have different opinions.  I'm a very pro-BFing NICU nurse, so I have access to awesome pumps and TONS of support at work and can totally go off to pump every 3 hours when I'm working, so that's not a barrier (unlike the mama who couldn't pump at all on Tuesdays).  I'm also around babies all day, so I wonder if that would help induce lactation?

I'd love to know if anyone had any issues or regrets with inducing lactation, or if the intense time involvement was worth all the SUPER hard work (my NICU moms *loathe* pumping, and they do it for months on end).  

I would follow the medicated program and start really early, but last time I was on any kind of birth control I went a little bit nutty... plus I'm kinda afraid of fake hormones, especially since I plan to carry our next child...  Anyways, would love opinions on this.  :)

Thanks!

[carmen358]

Originally Posted by RStelle 

Also, does lactating in the past make it more likely that your supply will be higher when you induce?

I've heard this is true. That if you have BF in the past inducing lactation will be easier (not sure about supply). I don't know the details though.....

Originally Posted by Allison Graham 
plus I'm kinda afraid of fake hormones, especially since I plan to carry our next child...

Our midwife offered to help DP induce lactation and she thought about it but was not interested in taking the hormones.

[seraf]

Originally Posted by jmoon 

I'm a student midwife, doing my bachelor's research on shared breastfeeding in queer families, and am looking for more parents who would like to fill out my questionnaire (when it's done).  Open to families who induced lactation as well as those who had babies close together or alternated or any other arrangement.  

My older children were nursed by both moms, with the help of an SNS. 

My current partner and I have a 3 month old and we're expecting another in 3 months. We are planning to both nurse them both and talking about what that may look like. DP has nursed the 3 month old for the calming effect but her poor pregnant nipples can't handle it right now. 
 

[jmoon]

Seraf~  I'd love to talk to you further about your experience sharing breastfeeding and planning to do so again!  I'm excited for you and your sweetie with one little one and a sibling soon to follow.  What a sweet family!  I'll PM you in a minute.

Anyone else who might be interested in helping out can write me privately or post here.  Thanks so much!

[DesertSunsets]

If anyone reading this thread has induced lactation using the medical protocols (birth control, domperidone, pumping, herbal supplementation), would you be willing to share your thoughts on the drugs going into your body?  A protocol I've read has stated that the domperidone is safe for breastfeeding mothers, but I'm wondering if anyone has personal experience they would share.  

My wife is pregnant, and I'm researching inducing lactation in myself.  However, I did have breast reduction surgery two years ago and we are intensely curious to see if I'll be able to bring any milk in at all, and we were kind of hoping to find that out before I become pregnant in a few years with our second child.  

I guess I'm just putting myself out here to see if anybody has any thoughts!  

jmoon, your research sounds very intriguing.  Best of luck to you.  

[KSDoulaMama]

Desert, my wife used the Newman-Goldfarb protocol that you're talking about and she has experienced minimal side effects from drugs. We were concerned that the birth control would do weird things, but that didn't happen (and the birth control phase isn't THAT long anyway...) She's now been on domperidone for about two years without any side effects for her or for our daughter that we know of (but it is SUPER for her milk supply.) The fenugreek makes her pee smell like maple syrup. The breastfeeding itself also caused her to lose a little weight initially. We are very happy with how things turned out. I'm also interested in lactation induction after breast surgery as the mother of my surro-babe will be inducing lactation after reconstructive surgery. She hasn't started yet. I know a bit about the issues of lactating after surgery, and I'd be happy to chat if you PM me... I'm a lactation counselor and I'm totally intrigued by this stuff. I can tell you that how the surgery was done, the time that has passed since the surgery, and the amount of nipple sensation you have all have an impact on breastfeeding. But also, have you checked out BFAR? GREAT source of support.

[DesertSunsets]

KS, thanks for all your input.  It's certainly giving me a lot to think about!  I need to talk more with DW about this, and then see if our midwives can help us start this.  I'll be certain to PM you with specific questions.  I'll also be sure to check out BFAR!  I really really hope I will be able to lactate, but am trying to prepare myself for it to not happen.  

[Muttchen]

Originally Posted by jmoon 

I've spoken to some of you separately, but I just found this thread and thought I'd join the discussion, as it's relevant.

I'm a student midwife, doing my bachelor's research on shared breastfeeding in queer families, and am looking for more parents who would like to fill out my questionnaire (when it's done).  Open to families who induced lactation as well as those who had babies close together or alternated or any other arrangement.  Trans and poly families also welcome, and I'd love to have both/all involved parents participate.  I'm happy to give more info as desired.

I am queer myself, though not a parent yet.  I'm really excited about this research!

Thank you all!

My partner induced lactation to breastfeed our oldest daughter. She occassionally fed her until she returned to work. I breastfed her until she was 3, but when she was 2 my partner gave birth to our youngest daughter and I co-fed her. I'm happy to help you out with your research as long as I get to see your finished work ;-)

[elspethpaisley]

I'm curious to hear experiences of anyone who's induced lactation without drugs. My wife just got pregnant and I plan to try to induce lactation with herbs and pumping, but am anxious about how effective it will be; I really really want to be able to help breast-feed the little one.

[DesertSunsets]

Congrats on the pregnancy, elspeth!  Keep us posted on how it goes with you inducing lactation with herbs and pumping, I'm interested!

[olliesmommy]

I'm also interested in any info anyone has on inducing without the use of meds!

[jdsf]

Yes, please, anyone who didn't use meds, DP and I are very interested in co-feeding. I am quite small breasted and worry about supply issues. DP breastfed for 7 years and still lets down a little when she spends a lot of time around babies so I'm sure getting her to lactate again won't be too hard and we certainly don't want to use meds if we don't have to. DD11 was weaned 7 or so years ago so it's been awhile.

[KSDoulaMama]

Originally Posted by jdsf 

Yes, please, anyone who didn't use meds, DP and I are very interested in co-feeding. I am quite small breasted and worry about supply issues. DP breastfed for 7 years and still lets down a little when she spends a lot of time around babies so I'm sure getting her to lactate again won't be too hard and we certainly don't want to use meds if we don't have to. DD11 was weaned 7 or so years ago so it's been awhile.

We used meds and so I don't really have much to add- but I do have to say that breast size generally has nothing to do with milk production. Most likely you will notice some breast changes during pregnancy which are one sign that your body has the right "equipment." Low milk supply (given good breastfeeding management- feeding often, good latch, etc.) would generally have to do with a hormonal problem (thyroid, pituitary, PCOS, etc.) which can often be corrected. It's possible to not have enough glandular tissue, but it's pretty uncommon. I wish you the best!