How To Induce Lactation (Without Pregnancy)

January 11, 2023 Stacey Stewart

Even without ever getting pregnant, you can produce breast milk if your breasts are stimulated enough!

Inducing lactation requires stimulating and properly emptying the breasts. The stimulation can occur in 3 different ways – with a breast pump, with a nursing baby, or by manual expression

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If you’re interested in inducing lactation, speak to your healthcare provider so you can start the process as soon as possible before the arrival of the baby.

The lactation induction process can take a while so it’s best to start at least a few months beforehand.

How to induce lactation without pregnancy

Prepare properly

The sooner you start pumping, the better. It can take a few weeks to months for your milk to come in so start as soon as possible.

Get in touch with your healthcare provider and tell them of your plans to induce lactation.

Sometimes they can prescribe hormone therapy, such as supplemental estrogen or progesterone, that can mimic the effects of pregnancy to help you lactate more quickly.

Most people have the potential to lactate under the right circumstances. Even women who are postmenopausal can induce lactation, although it’s more difficult than women who are fertile.

PRO-TIP:

Be around anything that reminds you of your future baby. This can help you release hormones! Spend time in the nursery, look at a picture of an ultrasound… connect with whatever you have of your baby-to-be.

BONUS: If you know someone with a newborn, try to fit in as many cuddles and snuggles as you can! This will all help inducing lactation.

Pump, pump, pump it up!

Ideally begin pumping at least 2 months before baby arrives.

Some women begin with hand expression a couple weeks before pumping to ease into the routine. It’s more gentle on the breasts and great to begin with.

Use a hospital-grade double electric breast pump.

Begin gradually because inducing lactation can be tough on the nipples. Begin by pumping for 5 minutes, 3x per day and work up to pumping 15-30 minutes every 2-3 hours.

A newborn baby nurses at least 8 to 12 times per day, so it is essential to pump at least 8 times per day on a regular basis. Pump as often as you can, even if you don’t think you’re getting anything out. The more you pump, the more milk you’ll produce.

Any breast milk you produce can be stored in the freezer.

PRO-TIP: Use lubrication as needed to help with discomfort. We always recommend this pump spray that’s perfect to use on your nipples and pump when inducing lactation.

Have realistic expectations

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t product any milk for awhile. It takes time to initiate lactation and milk supply will build very gradually with regular pumping and nursing.

Stay Consistent

Consistency is the magic ingredient to inducing lactation. It may feel like you’re not seeing results for a long time, but stick with it and your body will eventually respond.

USE A Supplemental Nursing System

A Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) is a way to induce lactation once baby is here. An SNS is when a specialized feeding tube is attached to your breasts while baby gets supplemental formula or donor milk. This helps stimulate the breasts while baby feeds.

It’s a way to supplement your baby directly at the breast to help increase your milk supply.

Get the right support

While inducing lactation, ideally work with an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant).

They can help you build your milk supply and troubleshoot any issues you have along the way. Find an IBCLC near you.

EAT GALACTAGOGUES

You may want to introduce some galactagogues into your diet while inducing lactation. Galactagogues are foods and herbs that have anecdotal evidence at aiding lactation. These may be helpful for some people, but are not guaranteed to work.

A few of these are fennel, barley, flax seeds, brewers yeast, and oats. To get a trio of these into your diet, make some lactation cookies at home with the following easy (and tasty!) cookie mix. (just add butter and eggs and voilà!)

See this Amazon product in the original post

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