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Lumini Lumini @lemmy.world
Posts 6
Comments 8
"Diary" of sorts about my induction journey
  • So after having some confusion and trouble getting my doctor to understand and be supportive.... I've decided on a plan I think. As of right now I'm 2 weeks into my induction journey and what I've been doing is pumping, taking Fenugreek supplements, eating oatmeal everyday, and drinking alot more water. So far I've noticed slight breast swelling, a feeling of heaviness/fullness, some stabbies, more prominent montgomery glands and veins.

    What I'm planning to do now is a modified Newman-Goldfarb Protocol without domperidone. Its possible I might be able to get domperidone in the future but I don't have it yet and don't have any guarantee I'll be able to so I'm trying to do the protocol without it. Basically for 3 months I'll take combination birth control I've been prescribed (estrogen/progesterone), no pumping but some massaging to (hopefully) help the tissue develop. And then after 3 months switch to a progesterone only birth control and start pumping again. I'll try to track progress but I'm thinking these 3 months might be uneventful and boring

  • I'm tired of not having friends
  • ha same boat, long distance relationship and I don't have any friends. It sucks. I don't really have advice but maybe it'll help you feel a bit less alone knowing someone (probably alot of ppl really) are going through this too

  • Breast Pump Review Megathread: For the Wiki!
  • Brand of the pump: NCVI

    Model of the pump: 8100

    Pros: Not very loud, good suction, looks cute

    Cons: the duckbill valves seem to fall off easily

    Regrets/Advice/Info I wish I knew before buying/Any additional info, if any: when you attach the tubing to the motor, don't push in too hard, I did that the first time putting it together and it made a loud crunching sound 😬 I was worried I broke it but it worked fine

  • "Diary" of sorts about my induction journey
  • breast pump arriving today

  • "Diary" of sorts about my induction journey

    Random thoughts? Weekly progress? Who knows. I still haven't entirely decided how much I want to share since its quite a personal thing but also want to share experiences with others trying to induce and talk to people that get it

    2
    Breast Pump Review Wiki for Inducing Lactation
  • Ok? Its not your thing which is fine but you don't need to be rude. Have a nice day/night 🙂

  • Breast Pump Review Wiki for Inducing Lactation

    Welcome to the Breast Pump Review Wiki for Inducing Lactation. If you have a review you would like to submit for the wiki, please leave a comment on the original Breast Pump megathread post with your review in the format explained in the post. We hope this wiki helps you to find a pump through the useful insights of the amazing members of this community, who have shared their experiences with different pumps to help you find a pump for inducing lactation.

    List of Pumps and Reviews

    Please note: all pumps mentioned below may be offered at lower prices on Amazon, ebay, or local sales listings in your area. The official websites for the pumps are provided for informational purposes.

    Brand: NCVI

    Model: 8100 Double Electric Breast Pump

    Reviews

    1

    Breast Pump Review Megathread: For the Wiki!

    Hello everyone!

    If you have a review to add, please use the format below and leave your review as a reply to this post. We will then add your review to the page for everyone to check out! If you have any questions, please message the mods through at any time. Thank you for your continued contributions and for being a part of this community! Please use the format below when leaving a review in the comments below:

    ------------------------------------------------

    Brand of the pump:

    Model of the pump:

    Pros:

    Cons:

    Regrets/Advice/Info I wish I knew before buying/Any additional info, if any:

    ------------------------------------------------

    Thank you all for your participation!

    1

    FAQ

    Welcome to the AdultBreastfeeding F.A.Q.

    Please find below commonly asked questions and their answers. If the FAQ does not address a question that you have, you should head over to the Wiki to look for more information. You can also search the community to see if others have asked your question, or submit a new post to ask the community for their help. Please send a mod message with any suggestions or concerns regarding the FAQ.

    Q: Can I lactate without being pregnant or having been pregnant in the past?

    A: This is the most commonly asked question when people think about entering an adult nursing relationship (ANR). The answer is that most women, and even most men, can produce breast milk if given enough time and effort. If you are thinking of starting the process of inducing lactation, there are a couple of things you should think about first.

    Things to think about:

    • Do I want to try doing this naturally or do I want the help of drugs?

    • Should I buy a pump or find a partner for an ANR relationship?

    • What materials will I need to induce?

    • What materials will I need to sustain lactation?

    • Do I have the ability to dedicate time and/or money to this?

    The Wiki is a great place to start. We encourage you to check it out to learn more information about inducing lactation.

    Q: How can I induce lactation faster?

    A: Unfortunately, there is no fast way to induce lactation. Remember that it takes roughly nine months of intense hormone therapy (normally called pregnancy) for a woman's body to modify the breasts to produce large quantities of milk. There are medications that cause lactation as a side effect, most notably Domperidone. Even with the use of these drugs, you still need to build up from scratch the large amounts of milk producing and storing tissue that is normally developed over the 9 months of pregnancy. The length of time from when you start inducing until you see clear drops depends on genetics, age, medication you are taking, and if you have been pregnant before. The length of time from when you see clear drops to having full milky breasts also depends on those things. If you are inducing, it can take several months to get to the amount that you are happy with.

    Q: How can I produce more milk?

    A: The simple answer is to express the breasts and nipples more often. The way the breasts produce milk is by hormones, and the way the brain knows to release hormones is by the act of expressing or stimulating the nipple. The process is very much a supply and demand driven mechanism; the more often you express, or you or your partner nurses, the more milk your body will create. When you only have a very small amount of milk, for example if you just started getting clear drops, you should then stimulate or express as much as you can. The recommended amount of times to stimulate or express is 5 - 8/ 8 - 12 times a day whether you are just starting or are trying to maintain your current milk supply.

    Q: Can I induce lactation while on an IUD?

    A: The general consensus is that, yes, you can induce lactation while on an IUD. IUD's are progesterone-based birth controls and are thought to be less detrimental to the inducing process than other types of birth control.

    Q: Help! I was playing around with my nipples and drops came out! Is this milk? Am I lactating?

    A: All humans sometimes have what is referred to as nipple discharge. It comes in different colors and it's completely normal to sometimes have some come out. It is also extremely common for people who enjoy frequent nipple play to have some come out. It is not milk, though, and drops from time to time do not usually mean you are lactating. Some people who have made milk in the past can continue to make small amounts of milk, but in most situations like this it is just nipple discharge.

    Q: I'm in the middle of the Newman-Goldfarb Protocol and I already have drops! Should I stop the protocol and begin pumping?

    A: The longer that you can give the protocol the time it needs to work, the better. You should continue the protocol to completion for best results, even if you have drops already. Give your breasts as much time as possible to develop before proceeding with pumping; this is what the goals of the protocol are. You're more likely to obtain better results by waiting to pump until the protocols say you should.

    Q: I've been feeling hotter than usual lately and I seem to be sweating more frequently than normal. Is this because I'm inducing lactation?

    A: Producing milk is associated with several biochemistry changes in your body among which are a speeded up metabolism. You have to consume enough calories to maintain your body weight as well as enough calories to produce milk. The metabolic changes increase your basal temperature just a tad and keep it revved up both day and night. This is compared to normal where we are slightly warmer in the day and usually a tad cooler at night. When inducing, metabolism tends to stay high day and night. In addition, you will be thirsty and will drink more water. This helps immensely with lactation with the side effect that it is a lot easier to sweat.

    More calories intake + slightly revved up metabolism + increased water intake = more likely to sweat as well as milk being produced.

    Q: Can inducing lactation make my boobs bigger? Is this a method of breast expansion?

    A: In many people, the breasts do get bigger in size. Results vary from person to person, however, and there is no way to be able to predict the changes that will occur for you. Some people go up a cup size, while others go up several cup sizes. Technically this may be considered a method of breast expansion, but there are normally differences between the sizes and shapes of breasts filled with milk versus not.

    Q: Help! I have a tiny blister on my nipple! What do I do and what causes this?

    A: Blisters on the nipple are normally caused by friction while pumping, due to not enough lubrication of the nipples. Our bodies usually make enough lubrication on our own, but when it doesn't, blisters can occur. Coconut oil, balms, or even simply spit are sufficient to lubricate the nipples before pumping.

    Q: Will I leak milk if a baby cries like a breastfeeding mother does even though I induced lactation?

    A: New mothers leak from the sound of their baby crying because it is quickly followed up by breastfeeding said hungry babies once they begin to cry. Since we induced lactation without a stimulus, the sound of a baby crying will not make us leak like it might do for a new mother. However, patterns unique to you in your own life may create situations where you leak or experience letdown more easily. There are anecdotes of people who leak when near their partners who suckle them and more.

    Q: Is inducing lactation a guaranteed means of breast expansion? Will my boobs grow if I induce lactation?

    A: It varies too much from person to person to say, "Yes, your boobs will grow if you induce lactation." It is not guaranteed that they will and, for many, even if they do, they do not always stay enlarged even when you stop your induced lactation efforts. The answer to this is they may or may not grow. It depends on your genetics.

    Q: Is there any benefit to taking supplements for inducing lactation in advance before beginning my efforts to induce?

    A: Information about the efficacy of supplements for inducing lactation is limited to anecdotes mostly. There isn't any information proving with any certainty that taking supplements meant to enhance lactation in advance before beginning to induce would prove to be of any advantage. It is probably better to wait until you actually begin to induce to begin to also take any supplements for that, as supplements for inducing lactation are not likely to provide any benefit on their own.

    Q: Can I induce lactation without the use of domperidone?

    A: Yes, inducing lactation is possible without the use of domperidone. It should be noted, however, that success without it varies SIGNIFICANTLY from person to person, and that it usually takes much longer to be successful without it. It should also be noted that, in most people, the amount of milk that one produces is normally less than what might be produced compared to when taking domperidone. However, it is absolutely possible to induce lactation without using domperidone.

    Q: Can I induce lactation without the use of domperidone as a trans person?

    A: Yes, inducing lactation is possible without the use of domperidone in trans peoples. It should be noted, however, that success without it varies SIGNIFICANTLY from person to person, and possibly especially so depending on if you are taking hormones or other medications or not. In people who have never lactated before, it takes a great deal of time to develop breast tissue for the purpose of lactation regardless of if you take dom or not.

    Q: How soon after I start taking domperidone can I begin to use a breast pump or begin to stimulate my breasts? Do I need to have been taking it for any given amount of time before I start to pump or can I start right away?

    A: You do not need to be on dom for any specific amount of time before beginning to pump or stimulate your breasts for the purpose of inducing. You can begin to pump or stimulate right away.

    Q: I'm experiencing dreams or thoughts about pregnancy, or baby fever, during the Newman Goldfarb Hormone Protocols or during my efforts to induce lactation. Is this normal?

    A: It is totally normal to experience heightened thoughts about, or desires to be, pregnant or nursing while going through the motions of inducing lactation. This has been known to happen both to people who are on their way to inducing by doing the Newman Goldfarb Hormone Protocols, as well as to people actively inducing lactation.

    Q: Which breast pump should I use to induce lactation?

    A: There are many breast pumps out there to choose from. They vary in many ways, including (but not limited to): - by being powered by hand, battery, or cord - by being portable or by having you have to sit down in one place to use it - by allowing you to pump one boob at a time or two at a time - by overall design (pumps come in so many different sizes, shapes, and forms) - by noise level (some are louder and some are quieter) - by ease of use (some are just "push a button and go" and others are app-centered for controls) - by suction strength (hospital grade pumps have stronger suction capabilities than non-hospital grade)

    You can choose to buy a breast pump new or second hand; many people re-sell their breast pumps after using it during their pregnancies and many people also sell brand new pumps for less expensive prices compared to buying it brand new from the manufacturer; for those who want to keep costs at a minimum, buying second hand is worth looking into.

    0
    How to create a link that jumps to a part of the post?
  • I just assumed it'd be possible here

  • How to create a link that jumps to a part of the post?
  • I think I'm doing it wrong since its still not working, can the ID be anything? The HTML is still visible over the heading when saved for some reason

  • How to create a link that jumps to a part of the post?
  • I still don't know how to do it?

  • How to create a link that jumps to a part of the post?

    I'm trying to figure out how to do this in markdown on here. How do you create a link that jumps(scrolls) to that heading in the post when clicked on?

    6

    Wiki

    • Adult Breastfeeding And Nursing Relationships Wiki
    • What is Adult Breastfeeding? What is Induced Lactation?
    • Brief Physiological Overview of Lactation
    • Overview for Inducing Lactation in People of Any Gender: Frequency and Methods
      • Frequency of Breast Stimulation for Inducing Lactation
      • Methods for Breast Stimulation
        • a. Suckling the Breasts
        • b. Marmet Method (or Marmet Technique)
        • c. Breast Pumps or "Pumping"
        • d. TENS Unit (BEFORE the milk comes in)
    • What to Expect When You're Inducing
      • What about colostrum? Will that come out too? (The Answer is No)
    • Maintaining Milk Production
      • Power Pumping
    • Proper Latching and Practicing a Good Latch
      • Reddit Posts Discussing Latching for Adults
      • Articles Discussing Latching for Adults
    • Information about Breast Pumps
      • Breast Pump Settings
      • About Letdown Mode
      • Mega Thread about Recommended Breast Pumps
    • Inducing with Medications and Hormonal Manipulation
      • Newman-Goldfarb Method
      • Domperidone for Dummies
        • Where to Get Domperidone
        • Recommended Dosages for Domperidone for Induced Lactation
        • Possible Side Effects of Domperidone
    • Regarding Supplements for Induced Lactation
      • Commonly Recommended Supplements
      • Possible Galactagogues
    • Additional Information and Useful Links

    Adult Breastfeeding And Nursing Relationships Wiki

    Welcome to the Adult Breastfeeding (ABF) and Adult Nursing Relationship (ANR) Wiki. The Wiki will provide a general overview to inducing lactation. Please check out our FAQ for answers to questions you may have. If the FAQ or Wiki are not able to help you find the information you're looking for, we encourage you to search the ABF community for more information that you might find to have been discussed in previous posts, or to submit a post to ask the community for insight on what you're trying to learn. You can reach out the moderators if you have suggestions for additions we could consider adding to the Wiki at any time.

    What is Adult Breastfeeding? What is Induced Lactation?

    Adult breastfeeding can be conducted between two people in one of two ways: wet or dry. Dry nursing is in reference to people who engage in the act of suckling breasts without anyone involved actively lactating or producing milk. Wet nursing, in the context of this subject, refers to the act of adult breastfeeding between peoples where someone is actively lactating or producing milk from their breasts. In fact, lactation and adult breastfeeding does not only occur between a person and someone who has just given birth. With a lot of time and effort, lactation can actually be induced, and wet nursing can be achieved, without anyone having ever been pregnant before or recently! We refer to this as Induced Lactation and much of the discussion within the ABF community that takes place centers around people that are discussing the ins and outs of achieving this.

    Brief Physiological Overview of Lactation

    Please see below for some great links to help you understand and learn about the anatomy of the breast and of the mechanisms of lactation in human beings. Please note that, while these resources do make reference to lactation as it occurs in the breasts of females who have given birth to children, that this information does apply women who have not given birth and to males too.

    Overview for Inducing Lactation in People of Any Gender: Frequency and Methods

    There are a lot of opinions and methods to get any number of desired results. Everything from just a few drops, to several ounces per session, can generally be achieved through the methods listed below. The breasts make milk based on supply and demand. In the context of a recently pregnant person, the breasts develop and prepare to make milk for the incoming child and supply milk based on the frequency that the child nurses from its mother. Inducing lactation is essentially tricking the body through performing the methods of stimulation in this wiki to make milk. Making milk at all and how much milk you make depends primarily on how often you stimulate the breasts. Inducing lactation involves a lot of time, patience, and hard work, but it can be done by stimulating the breasts often throughout the day and night, similarly to the feeding patterns of a hungry baby. By employing the techniques listed in this wiki, you will demand that your breasts make milk, and they will, in turn, supply you with milk over time.

    1. Frequency of Breast Stimulation for Inducing Lactation

    In general, you should aim to stimulate the breasts 8 to 12 times a day, around every 2 hours, for between 10 to 30 minutes. This includes, whenever possible, waking up in the middle of the night to stimulate the breasts. Not everyone can make such a huge change in lifestyle for this and not being able to does not mean that you cannot succeed, but it may not be as sufficient for getting the message through to your brain that you want changes to happen to make milk.

    2. Methods for Breast Stimulation

    The following sections list the ways that you can go about stimulating the breasts with the intention to induce lactation. These methods can be used interchangeably with each other, based on your lifestyle and circumstances. The most important thing is to figure out which of these methods work best for you to be able to stimulate the breasts as frequently as inducing lactation demands. Selection of which methods to use should be based on what you're most comfortable with doing, what you have the most time to do based on your own circumstances, and based on what you can financially afford.

    a. Suckling the Breasts

    Although to some this may go without saying, we feel that it is worth saying that frequently suckling the breasts can stimulate them to produce milk. Suckling the breasts and sucking on the breasts, common in typical sexual activities, are completely different. The act of suckling the breasts must be done with what is referred to as a good latch, meaning that the technique of suckling the breasts must closely mimic that of a nursing infant at their mother's breast. A poor latch will normally result in poor experiences for both parties involved, ranging from sore nipples, to sore mouths. Please see the "How do I get a good latch?" section for more information.

    b. Marmet Method (or Marmet Technique)

    The Marmet Method is a popular method used to manually induce lactation and, later on, to express milk from the breasts. It involves stimulating the breasts by hand by going through the motions of what someone with milk would do to get the milk. Many people rely on this method on its own or in combination with other methods to stimulate the breasts. If you cannot stop during the day to have someone suckle your breasts or to use a breast pump, simply using your hands to stimulate can be a suitable substitution.

    The Marmet Method can be difficult to apply if you have never been pregnant before or have never experienced having breasts with milk in them before. Many people have posted about feeling insecure about whether they are performing the method correctly in practice or not. In the early stages of inducing lactation, before the breasts have had time to fully develop for this goal, it is harder to be comfortable performing this for many people. However, with practice, and with time as the breasts develop, you will literally get a better feel for performing the Marmet Technique. For some, it doesn't make sense until the milk comes in, which is why many rely on other methods to stimulate the breast.

    c. Breast Pumps or "Pumping"

    The Breast Pump Method is a popular method used to induce lactation involving the use of a breast pump to stimulate the breasts. This can be done by pumping the breasts one at a time or both at once, and can be done using a manual hand breast pump or an electric double or single breast pump. If you have time and money to invest, the breast pump is a convenient and efficient method to stimulate the breasts. Please see the "Information about Breast Pumps" section to learn more about breast pumps.

    d. TENS Unit (BEFORE the milk comes in)

    The TENS unit is a popular method thought to help with inducing lactation when none of the aforementioned means to stimulate the breasts are not an option. The use of a TENS unit is simple, discreet, noiseless, and incredibly convenient for people who want to induce lactation but lead busy lifestyles. Once the milk comes in, the TENS unit loses its usefulness due to not being a method that can actually promote actual expression of the milk like the methods listed before. Nonetheless, it is a valuable tool for those who want to induce.

    What to Expect When You're Inducing

    Now that you know how often you need to stimulate your breasts, and which methods you can use to do so, you'll need to know what to expect once you start setting this in motion. Everything we will talk about in the following sections varies from person to person.

    Additionally, the timeline or the speed at which any of what is discussed below varies too much from person to person to be able to guess when to expect any of this. Again, it's just a general overview of what you might experience when beginning to induce. The timelines mentioned below are for the purpose of reference to when during the induced lactation journey some of these symptoms and changes can be expected.

    • Sore, tender, or sensitive nipples
    • Sore, tender, or sensitive breasts
    • Uterine contractions during breast stimulation
    • Hormonal fluctuations
    • Changes in mood (for better or worse)
    • Changes in libido (for better or worse)
    • Breast growth and increases in cup size
    • Frequent sensation of heaviness of the breasts
    • Changes in menstruation frequency and reduced PMS or menstruation symptoms
    • Increased fatigue periodically, especially near periods of time during or following breast stimulation

    Later on in the induced lactation journey, the following symptoms and changes will usually occur:

    • Discharge from the nipple of varying colors (brown, clear, yellow, green)
    • Oily substance on the inside of breast pump flanges (natural nipple lubrication production)
    • Prominence of veins throughout the breasts
    • Sensations throughout the breasts that might be nearly painful that radiate throughout the breasts (aka "stabbies")
    • Sensations of achiness and the feeling of an almost yearning to stimulate the breasts

    The liquid secreted through the nipple at first is referred to as physiological discharge. As the breasts develop over time, the liquid that is expressed from the breast will eventually become milky nipple discharge, and then breast milk.

    What about colostrum? Will that come out too? (The Answer is No)

    Colostrum is ONLY made in people who have just given birth to a newborn human. People who induce lactation will experience nipple discharge in various forms, but will not have colostrum. Yellow colored discharge is normal and any nipple discharge initially can sometimes be sticky. It is because the discharge sometimes has these features that it can easily be thought that, incorrectly, colostrum is being exuded. If you have not recently created another human, we can assure you that it is not colostrum being discharged by your body!

    Maintaining Milk Production

    Once you have reached the point where you are making milk, you will be able to say that you have successfully induced lactation. The name of the game now changes to maintaining milk production and, for some, increasing milk supply.

    Maintaining milk supply will require continued stimulation of the breasts. The time it takes for the amount of milk you produce varies from person to person. Since we are not peoples who have recently given birth, you will not initially or later be likely to produce amounts that rival that of a mother. You will, though, be able to experience the fun and fulfillment of going from drops, to sprays, and beyond.

    Power Pumping

    Power pumping is well known for increasing milk supply through the use of a breast pump. It can also be performed while in the process of inducing lactation, but for sake of its benefit to milk output it has been placed here for discussion.

    Power pumping involves changing the time of a session of using a breast pump from one set amount of time, to a series of stop and go sequences, to mimic that of a particularly hungry infant. To power pump, you simply start by pumping for 20 minutes, then stopping for 10 minutes. You then resume pumping for 10 minutes, then pause for another 10 minutes. You resume pumping for one final time and that completes the power pumping.

    To summarize, power pumping is:

    • 20 minutes on; 10 minutes off
    • 10 minutes on; 10 minutes off
    • 10 minutes on; Complete.

    Proper Latching and Practicing a Good Latch

    The best sources on information for how to perform a good latch are usually made for breast feeding infants. This information can be easily adapted for adults. The following sections list various resources for you to learn more about how to achieve a good latch when suckling the breasts, for the purposes of inducing lactation or for suckling the breasts as a part of an ABF/ANR.

    1. Reddit Posts Discussing Latching for Adults
    2. Articles Discussing Latching for Adults

    Information about Breast Pumps

    Breast pumps are devices used to help express milk from the breasts. They come in several forms, including: -electric and non-electric -portable (and/or wearable) or stationary (plugged into the wall) -single breast or double breast

    For inducing lactation purposes, almost any pump should be suitable, but breast pumps that are deemed, "hospital grade," are known to have stronger suction and are preferred when possible.

    One final note, regarding the use of a breast pump and its effectiveness: "No breast pump is completely comfortable. A baby's mouth suckling is the perfect fit. A partner's mouth is nearly as good. Any breast pump currently made will come in third."

    1. Breast Pump Settings

    Breast pumps vary in terms of what kind of settings they offer, but the advice on which settings to use remains the same: a level of suction that is NOT painful and is just below discomfort of the nipples while in use is what you are looking for. The stronger the suction does NOT mean that you will necessarily be stimulated more; in fact, it is more likely to do damage to your breasts if you use too strong of a suction, which will set you back in progress.

    Many electric breast pumps have two to three different settings, but not all of them do. These settings are based on lactating mothers, so we don't necessarily have to go with how they are intended to be used. We will discuss these settings briefly: - Letdown or Stimulation mode: Usually the first setting the breast pump starts with. It is thought to stimulate the nipple to release oxytocin and incite the letdown reflex. It does not always work to do this, especially in peoples who are inducing lactation! The idea behind this mode is to get the letdown going and get the milk flowing. - Expression or Massage mode: Usually the second setting of the breast pump, normally following after a short period of time on stimulation mode. It is slightly slower in speed and slightly stronger in suction normally than stimulation mode. This is normally to continue to get more milk out once the milk gets flowing after stimulation mode. - Mega Expression or Deep Expression mode: Not all breast pumps have this, but enough of them do to mention this. Some breast pumps include a third setting where the speed of suction is slower and the strength of the suction is deeper. In a lactating mother, this is meant to be used at the end of a session to help further empty the breast.

    Whether you're trying to get the milk in or your milk is already in, you can use the settings that feel most comfortable to you and that won't make your nipples feel sore. It varies from person to person what feels best, so play around with the settings of your breast pump to find what works for you.

    2. About Letdown Mode

    One additional note to mention is about the first mode of typical electric breast pumps, usually called Letdown Mode. Letdown is not guaranteed to be something that people who induce lactation achieve regularly. It is normal in lactating mothers because they constantly have babies at their breast suckling and causing the letdown reflex to occur. Many people who induce lactation do not experience letdown because the pump might not be able to cause your brain to respond to it the way a mother's brain responds to the suckling of a baby. It is important to not stress out about letdown happening or not while breast pumping. The breast pump will ultimately make it more convenient to stimulate your breasts and, later on, get a good portion of milk out of your breasts, which is what it's meant to do. Nothing is wrong with you if you do not have a letdown when pumping!!!

    3. Mega Thread about Recommended Breast Pumps

    For more information about which breast pumps you might consider buying, please visit the following link to review our mega thread about breast pumps. In this post, members of the community have commented to share their experiences with their breast pumps, as well as mention any pros, cons, or advice for you to consider before purchasing your own. You will also find links to websites for the breast pumps listed, where you can learn more about them from their manufacturer.

    Link to a reddit Megathread

    Link to community Megathread

    Inducing with Medications and Hormonal Manipulation

    This section discusses using medications to manipulate the hormones and encourage necessary changes in the body needed in order to induce lactation. It is not a requirement to go this route in order to induce lactation, but it can be highly effective.

    1. Newman-Goldfarb Method

    The Newman-Goldfarb method involves the use of birth control pills, taken in a specific way, to trick the body into believing that it is pregnant and, thus, to begin development of the breasts. There are two versions of this method, including the normal method and the accelerated method. These methods vary in terms of how much time you want to invest into allowing the opportunity for your breasts to develop before fully pursuing induced lactation.

    The hormonal method can be effective and safe but, like anything involving medications, they can have side effects. We always suggest that you consider talking to your doctor before proceeding with any methods involving any medications, especially if you have any heart conditions (particularly in terms of the medication discussed frequently called domperidone). With that in mind, many people have induced using this method successfully.

    Please see the links below for information on the protocols and how to follow them:

    2. Domperidone for Dummies

    Domperidone, often referred to as "dom", is a medication available through prescription only for gastroparesis and for increasing breastmilk supply. It increases the levels of the hormone called prolactin in the body, which is needed for lactogenesis, or the creation of milk. Prolactin levels needed to make milk are higher in pregnant people and are difficult to achieve for leisurely breast milk production, as in by induced lactation, through stimulation of the breasts alone.

    a. Where to Get Domperidone

    Dom can be taken either in accordance with the Newman-Goldfarb Methods or alone in combination with methods for stimulating the breasts. Simply taking this medication alone will not result in lactation! It is not a widely available drug and, in many countries, is not available without a prescription from a doctor.

    Domperidone can be obtained through purchase at any of the websites listed below:

    In-House Pharmacy has the best customer service of the three websites listed here and they email you every step of the way throughout your order. Their available payment methods might be a hassle for some, but they are the most reputable source of domperidone and other medications in this sub.

    AIPCT Shop has limited customer service and are not as quick to send emails, if at all, about your orders, but they have been known as another confirmed source for ordering domperidone. Their payment methods might be a bit less of a hassle compared to In-House.

    03/03/2024: There have been posts recently complaining about poor and non-existent customer service from Wan Store. We have had enough people successfully obtain dom from this website, but we want to give warning here that you may not have an easy time of reaching out to them regarding your order if you ever need to and to keep this in mind before ordering from them. They are also the only website of the three listed here that ships to Canada. If we continue to see reports of folks having a poor experience with this website, it will be removed from the Wiki at a later date.

    b. Recommended Dosages for Domperidone for Induced Lactation

    According to Jack Newman, who helped to pen the Newman-Goldfarb methods:

    • You can start right away with 30 mg (3 x 10 mg tablets) taken three times a day. You do not have to start with this amount; most people start with smaller amounts and work their way up to this dose, but whether or not you do so is completely up to you.

    • You can go up to 40 mg (4 x 10 mg tablets) taken three times a day, or 30 mg taken 4 times a day.

    • Everyone is different and everyone responds to domperidone differently. There is no set or concrete timeline to expect results. It can take at least two weeks to see results, but for some people it can be shorter or longer than this.

    c. Possible Side Effects of Domperidone

    While not everyone experiences side effects while taking dom, there are some side effects that are commonly reported, including (but not limited to):

    • Increased thirst

    • Increased hunger

    • Itchiness of the skin

    • Headache

    • Dry mouth

    • Vivid or lucid dreams

    • Heartburn or sour stomach feeling

    • Burping more frequently than before

    IN RARE CASES, heart stuff, such as arrhythmia, palpitations, or increased heart rate. Anyone with any heart-related symptoms should probably stop taking domperidone and get cleared by a doctor before continuing to take it!

    Additionally, some people report changes mentally, such as experiencing a sense of dysphoria. None of these symptoms are guaranteed to happen to you but you still assume the risk of any of these symptoms, and possibly others, happening to you.

    Regarding Supplements for Induced Lactation

    There are many herbs and supplements that have been purported to support the efforts of induced lactation that have come up in discussion over the years. A herbal supplement differs from a prescription medication in that it is not proven scientifically to work. That being said, there are many anecdotes where people have felt that ingesting herbal supplements has helped their cause.

    Commonly Recommended Supplements

    The following section lists supplements that are commonly or frequently mentioned that may or may not support induced lactation. Please note: It is NOT A REQUIREMENT for you to take any of these supplements in order to induce lactation! This list should be viewed as a resource for suggestions of herbal supplements you could consider trying, if you so choose to.

    • Goat's Rue

    • Fenugreek

    • Lecithin (Sunflower or Soy): thought to help keep lactiferous ducts lubricated and to help reduce clogged ducts.

    • Shatavari

    • Blessed Thistle

    • Moringa

    • Milk Thistle: supports liver health.

    • Fennel

    Possible Galactagogues

    The following section lists foods or supplements that are known as potential galactagogues. Galactagogues are foods or substances that are known as able to possibly increase lactation. Like supplements, these are not required to be taken in order to induce lactation! This list should be viewed as a resource for suggestions of galactagogues to consider incorporating into your diet, if you choose to do so.

    • Oats (or oatmeal)

    • Barley

    • White radish

    Additional Information and Useful Links

    Please find below other useful links and information we have gathered over the years on various topics related to inducing lactation. We hope that these links help you to further your understanding of everything in addition to what we hope you have learned from our Wiki.

    Articles/Posts Covering Inducing Lactation Overall

    Articles/Posts Discussing Domperidone

    Articles/Posts Discussing Breast Pumps

    Articles/Posts Pertaining to Induced Lactation/Miscellaneous

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