Induced lactation: Can I breastfeed my adopted baby? - Mayo Clinic

COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options

Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Appointments at Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment Healthy Lifestyle

Infant and toddler health

Products and services

I m adopting a newborn and I d like to breastfeed the baby when I bring him home Can I produce breast milk if I haven t been pregnant

Answer From Melissa A. Kurke, R.N., I.B.C.L.C. With considerable dedication and preparation, breastfeeding without pregnancy (induced lactation) might be possible. Normally, the natural production of breast milk (lactation) is triggered by a complex interaction between three hormones - estrogen, progesterone and human placental lactogen - during the final months of pregnancy. At delivery, levels of estrogen and progesterone fall, allowing the hormone prolactin to increase and initiate milk production. Induced lactation depends on the successful replication of this process. If you have months to prepare, your health care provider might prescribe hormone therapy - such as supplemental estrogen or progesterone - to mimic the effects of pregnancy. Hormone therapy may last for months. About two months before you expect to start breastfeeding, you'll likely stop hormone therapy and begin pumping your breasts with a hospital-grade electric breast pump. This encourages the production and release of prolactin. At first, pump for five minutes three times a day. Work up to pumping for 10 minutes every four hours, including at least once during the night. Then increase pumping time to 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. Continue the routine until the baby arrives. If you have a short time to prepare, hormone therapy might not be an option. Your health care provider might recommend other medications to help induce lactation. Pumping remains important for whatever time you have. When you begin to breastfeed the baby, your health care provider might recommend continued pumping - including after feedings - to help establish your milk supply. And even if you're able to successfully induce lactation, supplemental feedings with formula or pasteurized donor human milk might be needed - especially during the initial weeks of breastfeeding. To encourage continued nipple and breast stimulation, you might use a supplemental feeding aid that delivers donor breast milk or formula through a device that attaches to your breast. Supplemental feedings can also be given with a bottle. To protect your milk supply, pump each time your baby receives a bottle-feeding. To learn more about induced lactation and how to increase your chances of establishing breastfeeding, contact a lactation consultant at a local hospital or clinic. With Melissa A. Kurke, R.N., I.B.C.L.C. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.

Children s health information and parenting tips to your inbox

Sign-up to get Mayo Clinic’s trusted health content sent to your email. Receive a bonus guide on ways to manage your child’s health just for subscribing. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Subscribe Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Thank you for subscribing

Our e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Something went wrong with your subscription

Please try again in a couple of minutes Retry

HyperlactationInfant constipation ShareTweet July 07, 2021 Show references Lawrence RA, et al. Induced lactation and relactation (including nursing an adopted baby) and cross-nursing. In: Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession. 8th ed. Elsevier: 2016. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 20, 2021. Wambach K, et al., eds. Women's health across the childbearing years. In: Breastfeeding and Human Lactation. 5th ed. Jones and Bartlett Learning; 2016. Campbell SH, et al., eds. Induced lactation and relactation. In: Core Curriculum for Interdisciplinary Lactation Care. Jones and Bartlett Publishers; 2019. Kurke MA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. May 20, 2021. See more Expert Answers

Products and Services

Book: ObstetricksBook: Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Years

See also

Bathing your newbornBaby poop: What's normal?Baby slingBaby's head shape: Cause for concern?Breast-feeding supportBreast milk storageBreastfeeding and medicationsBreastfeeding nutrition: Tips for momsCrying babyNewborn feeding basicsHyperlactationInfant development: Birth to 3 monthsLow milk supplySleep tips for new parentsNewborn care tipsNewborn feedingsPacifiers and your babyBaby bathsHow to swaddle a babyBirthmarksBreastfeeding positionsWhat a newborn really looks likeUmbilical cord care: Do's and don'ts for parentsUncircumcised penis: Is special care needed?Vaccination scheduleBaby's soft spotsShow more related content

Advertisement

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices

Mayo Clinic Press

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book

Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info

Diseases & Conditions A-Z Symptoms A-Z Tests & Procedures A-Z Drugs & Supplements A-Z Health Books Healthy Living Program Mayo Clinic Health Letter Mayo Clinic Voice Apps . FAQ-20058403 Healthy Lifestyle Infant and toddler health Expert Answers Induced lactation - Can I breastfeed my adopted baby

Mayo Clinic Footer

Request AppointmentSymptom CheckerGive NowContact UsAbout Mayo ClinicEmployeesSite MapAbout This Site

Legal Conditions and Terms

Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage Cookies

Reprint Permissions

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

HON

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.