Remember back when I mentioned I was going to induce lactation? Well many of you have sent in questions and asked how it was going. The answer is it worked! Kind of. My 3 months of prepping, pumping and supplement taking has paid off. Having not experienced the physical act of pregnancy which triggers the pituitary gland to say to the rest of your body “hey, let’s start making an all you can eat milk buffet,” this was my way of giving Mother Nature a swift kick in the box on behalf of my broken lady bits, or lack thereof. I stuck firmly to using a protocol that involved no hormones just pumping, herbs, and Domperidone resulting in infinitely sore boobies. But being an IF vet, we all know pain is for the weak I say! By the time Jellybean arrived I had been able to stock pile around 100 ounces. This is a HUGE benefit for those who are in the surrogacy situation such as Chris and I or those inducing for adoption. You can be ahead of the game in freezing a stock pile which takes some stress off of you during those first few weeks. It also doesn’t hurt to have a trusted mommy friend with extra on standby as well, depending on how comfortable you are with that concept.
Now, I say it kind of worked because Jellybean was losing more weight than we were comfortable with. Most babies lose weight after birth, but the red line is at 10% of the birth weight. Once that threshold is crossed than plan B needs to kick in. I knew I would have to supplement it was just disappointing that it happened 2.5 weeks into her being here with us. We were advised to fortify the already pumped/expressed milk with a ½ teaspoon of formula so that it would be 24 calorie bottles each feeding on top of putting the baby to breast. Which I am glad to report she is now “fluffy” and back to birth weight. I told Jellybean this will be the only time in her life that gaining weight is fashionable and very much encouraged as a woman. Back fat is the new black and is quite a good look on her. Good thing I had that frozen cache of pumped milk right? So for those surro/adoptive warriors who are inducing lactation, save Every.Single.Drop.
So that you do not have unrealistic expectations, it is very important to set tangible goals. Realistically, I know will not be able to exclusively breastfeed for the full year. I will be very happy to get through the first month. So I have set target goals, mine is 3 months, then 6 months, anything there after is a huge bonus. If I can be fortunate enough to provide breast milk for Jellybean for the first 3 months I will be all unicorns and rainbows inside. Anything thereafter is me succeeding my goal.
I waited to write this post because with all things it takes a bit of trial and error. I started induction well over 4 months ago so I have had some time to get some experience under my belt. That being said, here is a list of the top 5 items I could not live without during my Milkcapades:
1. AHH Bras-Seriously they are a warm inviting, yet supporting hug for your ladies which will be sore, as in someone has taken a titanium bat to your bitties kind of pain. So needless to say, it is a bit-o-heaven at night when you go to bed. Even if you have never slept with a bra on, you will reconsider and start using this AH-mazing bra. You also must have at minimum of 3. Because let’s face it, you will need to wash them eventually and you cannot be left in the desperate situation where you need one and it is wet and soggy and currently on the slowest dry cycle of your life. Click here if you want to check them out. Thanks to K, my fellow blog friend for the Bras! My ladies double thank you.
2. Coconut oil or Olive oil– After repeated pumping, your nips will start to resemble cracked, ashy raisins. Sounds awesome right? Lube them and your flange up with coconut oil or olive oil and it’s like nip-paradise. Now, many people use Lanolin. I have tried all three; olive oil, coconut oil and Lanolin and can say 100% that the oils are way better. Lanolin SUCCCKKKS. If you still think it is good then look up the ingredients of it and the adverse side effects here. Do you really want your little IF miracle suckling at the tit that has been coated with this nasty stuff? Case in point, moving on.
3. Breast Pads– Not because you are leaky, this is because you do not want huge crop circles on clothes. Remember the Jheri curl scene from the movie Coming to America where there were huge oil stains on the back of the couch? Soul Glow? Well that will be you instead it will be on your shirt, like two oily headlights. Trust me here folks, I learned the very hard and embarrassing way. Olive oil and Coconut oil is still better than lanolin so breast pads are your solution. Check out this site where you can get them and other goodies for free! I love free stuff don’t you?
https://www.breastpads.com/ code:AthrifyMom1
4. Hands-free pumping bra– For those random moments you want to spontaneously break out in fits of jazz hands while pumping. And because you want to multitask like stalk a friend on FB, or knit an afghan for your neighbor, or trim bonsai trees, or read our blog, you get the picture. This is a must, may as well buy two.
5. Hospital Grade Pump– My Pump “Larry, Sir Pumps A lot” is mighty fine crafted work of mechanics that can make even Chris lactate. Seriously folks, I am pretty sure if I replaced my tatas with two inanimate objects like rocks, it would suck milk out of them. I used a regular pump and got drops then I started using a hospital grade pump and BAM it squirts out like a water gun. You can rent them from lactation consultants and some pharmacies. For some insurance companies, with a proper RX from your OBGYN, you can get one through them for a discounted cost or even free. Really, if you are inducing lactation, this is the way to go. I use the Ameda Platinum and I love it.
There you have it folks, the top 5 things I know that were (and still are) a life saver throughout my lactation inducing adventures.
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OMG, not only are you hilarious, but this is a super useful post. I love how you’re optimistic, but setting realistic goals, too. This is going to be an invaluable article for so many people. PINNING IT NOW!
Once again, you are my hero! Breastfeeding has been nothing but disastrous over here and left me even more angsty with my body (if that was even possible!). I’m so so SO thrilled that it’s working for you – you totally deserved a win!
I’m really happy I found your blog! I wanted to know what happened with your surrogate. Congratulations on your bundle of joy. My husband and I had given up on trying after 2 years (we did not go through all of the obstacles you did). We just gave up and next thing you know I became pregnant! I tried breastfeeding and it wasn’t working. My baby was so hungry I had to supplement with formula. It is stories like yours that kept me going. I said if people who are adoptive parents or have had their child through surrogacy have breastfed then I know I can do this. So I tried herbs and pumping and after 3 months I finally had enough to stop the formula. It was such a feeling of pride. Thank you for sharing all of your experiences. I applaud you for being so determined. You are a inspiration. Enjoy motherhood!
Hi!!! Your blog is truly a life saver for me! My husband and I are starting our surrogacy journey in a month!!! Your blog has also inspired me to start a blog in hopes I can also help others! I’m so excited and anxious and nervous and every other feeling you can imagine! I’m hoping to be able to induce lactation when our baby is on the way. Did you start the pumping part of the protocol 12 weeks before expected due date? I would also like to have some on reserve!
Thank you!!!
Hey there! Thank you for your comment and for reading our blog! Good luck on your GS!!! I started pumping a little under 3 months prior. I had a stash but burned through it quickly! So pump and freeze!