Why and How I Started My Protocol for Inducing Lactation

It's obvious that many people wonder, "Why do you want to breastfeed your adopted baby?" There are lots and LOTS of reasons to choose this. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a statement on breastfeeding which states that breastfeeding is the normal nutrition for babies. ALL babies. They also recommend that babies be breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months of life, continuing until they are 1 with complimentary foods. You can read the full statement from the AAP here. 

Breastfeeding also promotes attachment. I wanted nothing more to attach to my baby when we brought her home, and I knew that this would be a great way (though certainly not the only way) to attach. 

A very big part of me also knew that it would be healing for me to try. Maybe my body would not grow a baby, but maybe it could produce milk, and nurture this child. Even if it wouldn't produce milk, at least I could nurture this child. Honestly, I was really hoping that I could bring in a full supply. Ultimately though, I thought the biggest benefit would be to nurture a baby at the breast, even if I didn't bring in a full supply. 

I did lots of research on my protocol options. LOTS of research. I felt that my best chance of producing the most milk would be to try the Newman Goldfarb Protocol. You can see the protocol here. That meant starting an estrogen/progesterone combo pill in May, with hopes of having a little time before being matched with a baby. Ideally, I would stay on the birth control trough October at a minimum, but more ideally until December or later to give my body time to build breast tissue so that I could have a bigger supply. 

I felt frustrated with the lack of up to date resources and information. One day, I discovered Alyssa Schnell's recently published book, Breastfeeding Without Birthing. That information was wonderful to have at hand! So many options and helpful information about the many protocols available. 

I knew a local lactation consultant who had worked with other families who had induced lactation, or had low supply. I also knew that she was comfortable prescribing Domperidone. I wanted to talk with her about some concerns (that it is not FDA approved) and ask her if she thought it would be safe for me to use. I set up an appointment, and going to see her was quite interesting. When the nurse took me back for my lactation consult, she said, very confused, "Where is your baby?" I am sure they were not used to seeing people in their office before they had a baby. Once I explained that I was going to induce lactation, she was very excited for me, and supportive.

It was very reassuring to talk with the lactation consultant. She had so much helpful information for me. 

With that, I officially started the protocol in May. After going through infertility for so long, I was actually relieved to skip periods, as I never had before ever in my life!

Later, I did have some spotting. 

I attended a conference in May to become a Lacation Counselor. I wanted to explore what the trainers thought about inducing lactation, or if they had ever worked with moms doing this. I did not let on that I was going to try to do this, which apparently I should have. I was completely shot down. "Moms who try that will NEVER most likely get a full supply." I already knew that, and I also knew of some mothers who HAD achieved full supply. I pressed further-- "What about using Domperidone?"

"It's not recommended," she retorted. "It's not FDA approved, and there can be very serious complications." Thankfully I was already well researched in this area and understood that the serious complications studied were in elderly patients getting the drug for its original use-- heartburn. In breastfeeding moms in Canada where Domperidone is widely used, there have not been any adverse affects reported. 

In mid-June I started the Domperidone-- prescribed by my IBCLC who is also a midwife and was able to write prescriptions. In late June I added Acupunture. 

I started to notice breast tenderness and growth, and had a good mood overall with a very occasional emotional melt down, dealing with infertility feelings. 
Then I also added Chinese herbs, as well as Goats Rue.