
Inducing Lactation: An Adoptive Mother’s Story
As told to the BMSG Editorial Team
At the end of 2017, we chanced upon Janet (not her real name) who had made known her intentions to induce lactation. This is her story of how she had managed to breastfeed her adopted daughter after getting support from medical professionals, experts and her family.
My husband and I had decided to adopt a child last year. I first heard that it is possible to induce lactation without having given birth from my aunt, when we shared with her our adoption plans. This made me very curious so I started doing research on general information about it on the Internet.
I had also read a lot about the benefits of breastmilk for the baby’s health and I had imagined that the bonding experience was extremely priceless. I had read that it wouldn’t be easy but I decided that I would love to give it a try. However, I was clear that I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself.
Different Ways to Induce Lactation
There are few different methods to try depending on your situation and the amount of time you have to prepare before the baby arrives.
They include using ‘the Pill’, which causes your body to mimic pregnancy, and the medication Domperidone, which causes a rise in your prolactin levels, which is responsible for milk production. (*BMSG Note: It is necessary to use these medications under the supervision of a doctor or a qualified lactation consultant.)
Another way is to go natural and only use stimulation via using a pump.
Kickstarting the Journey: Finding the Right Support
I had also discovered that getting the advice of a Lactation Consultant (LC) would be valuable so I searched around for one and chanced upon the Mother and Child Clinic, which was run by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). They were agreeable and we had a meeting, and I found them really helpful and supportive.
They provided ample information about lactation, how it works, how to go about inducing it and also gave me recipes for lactation cookies and smoothies. I then bought an electric breast pump and went on my way to stimulate my body to begin the lactation process.
I decided that I would start on the natural route as I did not have much time to try to mimic pregnancy and was also unsure about consuming Domperidone. Much to my surprise, twelve hours after beginning, I got my first drops of milk!
Challenges
Unfortunately after a few days of pumping, I could not keep up with my pumping schedule as I had to leave home for long hours at a time. I discovered that it would be challenging for any mother who chooses to pump till the day baby arrives as consistency in stimulation is key to sustaining my supply. Pumping every two hours proved to be challenging, so I began a schedule of pumping every three to four hours instead.
I watched my breasts change over the course of the first week I began pumping. They felt a little fuller and heavier and the areolas also felt a bit different. While I didn’t produce a significant amount then, I managed to get a pool of milk each time that I accumulated together with earlier batches.At that stage, while I pumped, I also did a lot of massage and stimulation with my hands. The LC explained that this was probably more effective than pumping alone.
The Plan
We had to do some planning for when baby came along. I had been given strict instructions to go to Mother and Child and check in with my LC immediately once baby arrived. She would help us set up the Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) and teach us how to get baby to latch. If I didn’t produce 100%, it wouldn’t matter. Any amount of breastmilk is helpful to an infant. The most important thing for me was to bond with my baby and if I didn’t end up producing enough for all her feeds, I could always rely on the generous ladies on the Human Milk for Human Babies Singapore (HM4HB Singapore) page to help my little one flourish from their milk donations.
When Baby Arrived
We brought our daughter home at two weeks old and she is now 12 weeks old. We first attempted to use the SNS but it proved to be quite challenging for me. Upon reflection, I felt I would have been able to build up more of a supply if I had more time to pump and if I could have used the SNS optimally as she would have spent more time at my breast.
However, I am mostly at home alone and don’t have domestic help, so it’s hard to find time to do all the extra pumps. I top up whatever amount of milk I can produce with donated breast milk from people I trust. I am happy to say that I currently produce around 80% of my daughter’s breastmilk needs while 20% comes from donated milk. The night time and early morning feeds do not require top ups but the afternoon and early evening feeds definitely do!
I had also attempted to use Domperidone to increase my supply eventually. However, other mothers may find it more helpful if they start the full protocol of induced lactation whereby you take the contraceptive pill for several months before baby arrives. Unfortunately, I had difficulties finding a doctor who could support me in this aspect.
One of the most amazing things that has happened was that my daughter’s birth mum had actually provided our daughter with colostrum, which is an incredible gift from a birth mother who is placing her baby for adoption. She’s really had a lucky start to life with her nourishment despite her unfortunate circumstances of losing her birth mother.
I, too, feel so blessed to be able to nourish her from my own body like my biological child and the bonding experience has been amazing. I also continue to work together with the LCs at Mother and Child, and they have been ever so supportive and provided me with so much information.
It has been such an amazing experience and I am thankful for all the support and help we have received. I was asked why it was important to me to breastfeed her. Once I realised that breastfeeding was possible, I felt a responsibility to give her the very best of what I can. We had both already lost so much and it gave us back something powerful. An emotional connection, the very best nutrition and I can only hope it helps to heal some deep wounds she would carry.

Janet’s baby is now 12 weeks old.
I was asked why it was important to me to breastfeed her. Once I realised that breastfeeding was possible, I felt a responsibility to give her the very best of what I can. We had both already lost so much and it gave us back something powerful. An emotional connection, the very best nutrition and I can only hope it helps to heal some deep wounds she would carry.
Useful Resources for Inducing Lactation:
- The Newman Goldfarb Protocol for Induced Lactation
- Relactation & Induced Lactation Resources on KellyMom