The idea that a person can breastfeed a child without having been pregnant is possible due to the body’s remarkable capacity for hormonal adaptation. This process, known as induced lactation, involves stimulating the breasts to produce milk even though the individual has not recently given birth. Induced lactation relies on mimicking the complex hormonal shifts that naturally occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period. While it requires significant commitment, the human body possesses the mammary gland structures that can be activated through external signals. The goal is often to facilitate the strong physical and emotional connection that breastfeeding offers, not solely to achieve a full milk supply.
Hormonal Foundation for Milk Production
The ability to produce milk is fundamentally controlled by two primary hormones that govern the process of lactation. Prolactin is the hormone responsible for the manufacturing of milk within the glandular tissue of the breast. It is often referred to as the “milk-making” hormone because its presence signals the mammary glands to begin synthesis.
During a typical pregnancy, Prolactin levels increase significantly, preparing the breast tissue for its function. However, high levels of Estrogen and Progesterone act as inhibitors, preventing Prolactin from fully initiating milk production. Lactation begins in earnest after the delivery of the placenta, which causes an immediate drop in these inhibitory hormones. This removal allows Prolactin to bind to its receptors and trigger the milk production known as the milk “coming in.”
The second hormone, Oxytocin, is responsible for the milk ejection reflex, commonly called the “let-down.” Oxytocin causes the tiny muscle cells around the milk-producing alveoli to contract, pushing the milk out through the ducts. This hormone is released in response to stimulation, such as a baby suckling at the breast or a breast pump running.
Induced lactation involves simulating these natural hormonal events through external means. The process first aims to build and mature the glandular tissue, often requiring hormone-mimicking medications. Once the tissue is ready, frequent physical stimulation is used to signal the brain to release Prolactin and Oxytocin, initiating and maintaining the milk supply.
Methods for Inducing Lactation
Achieving induced lactation is a multi-step process combining physical stimulation with pharmacological support to mimic the body’s natural sequence of events. The initial phase involves prescribed hormones, such as Estrogen and Progesterone, typically administered for several months. These hormones encourage the development and maturation of the mammary glandular tissue, preparing the breasts for milk synthesis.
Once the baby’s arrival nears, these hormone-mimicking medications are discontinued to simulate the sharp drop in Estrogen and Progesterone that occurs after childbirth. This withdrawal allows Prolactin to activate the milk-making process. The subsequent phase focuses on frequent breast stimulation, which is the most reliable way to sustain Prolactin and Oxytocin release.
Individuals are advised to use a hospital-grade double electric breast pump to stimulate the breasts eight to twelve times every 24 hours. This high frequency replicates the demand of a newborn and is necessary to establish a milk supply. Each pumping session usually lasts 15 to 20 minutes, and consistency is paramount to ensure the body receives the continuous signal to produce milk on a supply-and-demand basis.
In addition to stimulation, medical professionals may recommend galactagogues, substances intended to increase Prolactin levels. These include certain herbal supplements or prescription medications, such as domperidone or metoclopramide, which are used off-label. Because these medications can have side effects and may interact with other conditions, their use requires careful medical supervision. Induced lactation often takes weeks to several months to yield results, and the resulting milk volume varies widely; many achieve a partial supply supplemented by formula or donor milk.
Scenarios Where Induced Lactation Occurs
Induced lactation is pursued for personal and family-building reasons, falling into two main categories: relactation and non-puerperal induction. Relactation is the process of re-establishing a milk supply after a person has previously breastfed but stopped for a significant period. This occurs if a parent weaned earlier than intended and later decides to resume, or if a baby needs to return to breast milk after a medical interruption.
Non-puerperal induced lactation is often chosen by non-gestational parents who wish to breastfeed their child. This includes adoptive parents, motivated by the desire to provide human milk and bond with the new baby. The process also allows non-gestational parents in same-sex couples or those using a gestational surrogate to share the physical aspects of feeding.
This method is also utilized by transgender and non-binary individuals who wish to chestfeed their infants, using the hormonal and stimulation protocols. In all these cases, the motivation extends beyond nutrition, focusing on the immunological benefits of human milk and the unique bonding experience of feeding at the breast.
The success of induced lactation is measured by the establishment of a nurturing feeding relationship, not only by the volume of milk produced. Even if a full milk supply is not achieved, any amount of human milk is considered beneficial for the infant. Many parents utilize a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS), a device that delivers formula or donor milk through a tube taped to the nipple, allowing the baby to receive a full feeding while stimulating the breast.