Induced lactation is the process of stimulating the body to produce breast milk without a recent pregnancy. This allows non-gestational parents, such as those adopting or welcoming a baby via surrogacy, to establish a nursing relationship. It is also used for relactation, where a person re-establishes a milk supply after a significant period of not nursing. The motivation often centers on providing the immunological, nutritional, and emotional benefits of human milk, along with the bonding experience of nursing. While the goal is to induce lactation quickly, it requires consistency and guidance from a healthcare provider or certified lactation consultant.
Establishing Hormonal Signals Through Stimulation
The foundational step for inducing lactation involves frequent and effective breast and nipple stimulation to signal the body’s milk-making hormones. This mechanical stimulation mimics newborn suckling, the natural trigger for prolactin release. Prolactin is the hormone responsible for stimulating the mammary glands to produce milk.
A hospital-grade electric pump is the recommended tool due to its efficiency in providing consistent, simultaneous stimulation to both breasts (double pumping). Frequency is more important than duration, requiring a schedule that mirrors a newborn’s feeding pattern. This means aiming for eight to twelve pumping sessions every 24 hours, with each lasting 15 to 20 minutes.
Maintaining a consistent schedule, including at least one overnight session, is important because prolactin levels naturally peak during sleep. Supplementary methods like hand expression or breast massage during pumping help ensure more complete milk removal and increase the hormonal signal. Skin-to-skin contact with the infant also enhances this process by promoting the release of oxytocin, which facilitates the milk ejection reflex.
Accelerating Induction with Prescribed Medications
For the fastest induction, medical intervention is often used to artificially prepare the breasts and boost necessary hormones. Pharmacological aids simulate the hormonal environment of pregnancy, followed by the rapid drop in hormones that triggers milk production. The Newman-Goldfarb protocol is a well-known structured approach utilizing hormonal and pharmaceutical support.
The preparatory phase often involves taking a combined oral contraceptive pill containing estrogen and progesterone. These hormones encourage the growth of mammary gland tissue, mimicking breast changes during pregnancy. This preparation is typically started months before the baby’s expected arrival, sometimes up to six months prior, and is discontinued about six weeks before pumping begins.
The second medication is the galactagogue Domperidone, which significantly increases prolactin levels. Domperidone is a dopamine antagonist that blocks dopamine receptors, removing the inhibition on prolactin secretion from the pituitary gland. Although generally prescribed for gastrointestinal issues, its use for lactation is considered “off-label” in many regions and requires strict medical supervision.
Domperidone dosages typically start at 10 mg three to four times a day, sometimes increasing up to 20 mg four times daily, with effects noticeable within a few days to weeks. Because the drug carries a rare risk of cardiac side effects, especially with high doses or pre-existing heart conditions, consultation with a healthcare provider is necessary. Combining hormonal preparation and Domperidone, followed by stopping the birth control pill to mimic birth, accelerates the induction process.
Supportive Herbal and Dietary Approaches
Beyond prescription medications, various supportive herbal and dietary substances are explored to aid milk production. These non-prescription galactagogues may provide a small boost to supply, though scientific evidence supporting their efficacy is often limited. They should be viewed as supplementary to core strategies like mechanical stimulation or medical protocols.
Common herbal galactagogues include Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle, often taken together in capsule form. Goat’s Rue is also recommended, as it is theorized to help stimulate mammary tissue development. Since these supplements are unregulated, sourcing quality products and discussing appropriate dosing with a lactation consultant is important, as high doses may be required for an effect.
Dietary components also support the health and hydration required for lactation. Foods containing beta-glucans, a type of fiber, are often consumed because they may modestly increase prolactin levels. These foods include oats, barley, and brewer’s yeast, which are incorporated into the daily diet. Staying adequately hydrated by drinking to thirst is recommended, as fluid intake supports the physiological demands of milk production.
Setting a Realistic Timeline for Milk Production
Despite the desire for fast results, induced lactation requires time for the body to respond to hormonal and mechanical signals. It is important to distinguish between the first appearance of milk and the establishment of a full supply. After starting a rigorous stimulation or medical protocol, most people see drops of fluid, often called colostrum, appear after approximately four to six weeks.
Achieving a substantial, measurable milk volume takes considerably longer and is highly variable. While some progress quickly, establishing a working milk supply realistically takes anywhere from two to six months of consistent effort. Protocols like the Newman-Goldfarb method are structured over several months to allow sufficient glandular development before the stimulation phase begins.
Structured induction protocols consist of three phases: preparation, transition, and maintenance. The preparation phase, often lasting several months, uses hormones to mature the breast tissue. The transition phase begins when hormones are stopped and aggressive pumping starts, mimicking the hormonal shift of birth. The maintenance phase focuses on frequent milk removal to build and sustain the supply, with the ultimate amount produced depending on the individual’s response.