A Word About This Guide
This guide to maximizing breastmilk production came about as a result of Lenore’s own experience with induced lactation. In 1999, she set about trying to find a way to bring in a milk supply for her son who was to be born via gestational surrogacy. Lenore contacted Dr. Newman as soon as she learned that her son was on the way, and together they set upon a journey that enabled Lenore to successfully breastfeed her son, who was born 2 months prematurely, from his second day of life. Lenore was able, with Dr. Newman’s help, to bring in an astonishing 32 oz of her own milk per day without going through a pregnancy.
Dr. Newman published the protocol that Lenore followed in a book he published in 2000. The protocols that follow in this guide were developed from ongoing research based on the original protocol that Dr. Newman conceived. Together, they have helped over 500 adoptive, relactating, and intended mothers to bring in substantial milk supplies. This guide has been through several revisions. Dr. Newman and Lenore expect to continue to refine the protocols as more information becomes available to them through their research.
Introduction
If a mother is committed to relactating, or breastfeeding her adopted baby or her baby born via surrogacy, she can do it. Any amount of breastmilk she is able to provide for her baby is a precious gift. Many women have induced lactation. In fact, in some traditional cultures, the baby’s grandmother induced lactation routinely in case the mother experienced problems. Lenore personally induced lactation; both she and Dr. Newman are aware of at least 500 other mothers who were successful at inducing lactation. Induced lactation is also known as "adoptive breastfeeding" and refers to the ability for a woman to breastfeed without going through a pregnancy.
The information and recommendations that follow are derived from Lenore’s own experience with induced lactation and that of (to date) 500 other mothers that she and/or Dr. Newman have followed. It is highly recommended that every mother inducing lactation consult her physician. If the mother’s physician is not yet comfortable with this process, a good lactation consultant familiar with induced lactation can be an invaluable aid. There is a website at www.iblce.org that has both a national and international registry where one can locate an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
The information contained in this online guide should be forwarded to the mother’s physician and lactation consultant so that needed medications, follow-up medical and technical support will be available. The hospital where the baby is to be born should be notified verbally and in writing that the adoptive or intended mother is planning to breastfeed. The hospital or birthing centre may have a lactation consultant who can help. Make copies of this information to give to any family members, friends, or medical staff who may be unfamiliar with induced lactation and who may try to discourage the mother from giving her baby this precious gift.
1. Newman J, 2000 pp 250-254
Dr. Jack Newman’s Guide to Breastfeeding (Harper-Collins, 2000).
In the US the title is The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Dr. Jack Newman (Prima Publishing, 2000).