Induce Lactation

In today's world there are a number of children, who were not carried by their respective mothers. There are a number of reasons, why a mother is not able to carry her own baby. May be she has had a hysterectomy, hence was not able to carry her child. There are many other possibilities as well, like some woman may want to induce lactation for weight loss.

How to Induce Lactation

As we are reading about inducing lactation, I would like to mention, that the milk produced with induced lactation is comparable to the breast milk of a biological mother 10 days after the delivery. For a mother is able to produce colostrum, but not the placental lactogen. However, it is important to note that the amount of antibodies and other immune factors remain the same throughout the lactation process. Now, let us also understand that in pregnancy, due to the influence of estrogen, progesterone and other hormones, the breasts are able to lactate. But there are ways, which can help in inducing lactation.

Nipple Stimulation
This is a method to induce lactation without medication. At the same time, it does not have side effects either. Stimulation increases prolactin secretions which is necessary to stimulate milk production. You may choose to stimulate your breast yourself or rope in your partner. According to some, the best method of nipple stimulation is suckling by an adult partner. A hand massage given to the breast along with nipple stimulation is also said to be useful. Breast pump can also be used for breast stimulation. After a few days, you will have to increase the stimulation time for better effect.

Herbs
There are some herbs, which will help in inducing lactation without pregnancy. The herbs, which can be used include fennel, fenugreek, cumin seed, anise seed, blessed thistle, hops, etc. Before you start taking these herbs, you may want to consult your health care professional about the quantities in which these herbs are to be taken for best results.

Medication
There are a couple of drugs which are also of help for the same. These drugs help in increasing the amount of prolactin produced, which is necessary for lactation. Strategic use of birth control pills is also said to be useful in inducing lactation. The method, in which these pills are taken, fools the body into believing that it is pregnant. This method may be effective, but remember there are many known side effects of this method. You may want to talk to your health care professional, before you start the medication.

Warm Compress
Warm compress helps inducing lactation. You may choose other heat sources like sunlight or heat lamp as well. Sessions of hot tub bath are also useful. All these methods increase circulation in the milk ducts. This method should especially be applied, if you are using nipple stimulation to induce lactation.

Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is also said to be useful. Initially, estrogen hormone is given and after the hormones reaches the required mark, hormones which induce prolactin are given. It then leads to induced lactation. However, this method should 'never' be taken up without the help of your doctor.

The basic principle you should remember when you are inducing lactation, is that 'more the demand for milk, more will be the supply'. Another principle is that nipple stimulation by the baby is the best to induce lactation.