- With Mayo Clinic obstetrician and medical editor-in-chief
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
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Roger W. Harms, M.D.
Roger W. Harms, M.D.
"Nothing helps people stay healthy more than the power of real knowledge about health." — Dr. Roger Harms
As medical director of content, Dr. Roger Harms is excited about the potential for Mayo Clinic's health information site to help educate people about their health and provide them the tools and information to live healthier lives.
The Auburn, Neb., native has been with Mayo Clinic since 1981 and is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Harms is a practicing physician and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and his specialty areas include office gynecology, high-risk obstetrics and obstetrical ultrasound.
From 2002 to 2007, Dr. Harms was director for education at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Harms was the 1988 Mayo Medical School Teacher of the Year and served as associate dean for student affairs and academic affairs. He is the co-author of the "Mayo Clinic Model of Education." In 2008, Dr. Harms was presented the Distinguished Educator Award, Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
Dr. Harms is vice chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and medical editor of the Pregnancy section on this website. In addition, Dr. Harms is editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" book, a month-by-month guide to everything a woman needs to know about having a baby.
"My medical education experience has grown out of a love of teaching, and that is what this site is about," Dr. Harms says. "If any visitor to this site makes a more informed and thus more comfortable decision about his or her health because of the information we provide, we are successful."
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Question
Induced lactation: Can I breast-feed my adopted baby?
I'm adopting a newborn, and I'd like to breast-feed the baby when I bring him home. Can I produce breast milk if I haven't been pregnant?
Answer
from Roger W. Harms, M.D.
With considerable dedication and preparation, breast-feeding without pregnancy (induced lactation) may be possible.
Normally, the natural production of breast milk (lactation) is triggered by a complex interaction between the hormones estrogen, progesterone and prolactin during the final months of pregnancy. At delivery, levels of estrogen and progesterone fall dramatically — but levels of prolactin remain high. The result is lactation.
Similarly, induced lactation depends on the successful replication of this biological process. You may begin with nipple stimulation — ideally, pumping both breasts with a hospital-grade electric breast pump every three hours around the clock, beginning about two months before you expect to begin breast-feeding. This stimulation encourages the production and release of the hormone prolactin. Your health care provider may also prescribe hormonal therapy, such as supplemental estrogen or progesterone, to mimic the effects of pregnancy. In some cases, other medications may be prescribed as well. No drugs have been specifically approved to induce lactation, however, and potential side effects may be a concern.
Typically, hormone therapy for induced lactation is discontinued shortly before breast-feeding begins. At that point, the baby's suckling is thought to stimulate and maintain milk production. Your health care provider may recommend continued pumping to further stimulate milk production.
It's important to note that supplemental feedings with formula or donated milk from a human milk bank may be needed even if you're able to successfully induce lactation — especially during the initial weeks of breast-feeding, while you're establishing your milk supply. To encourage continued nipple stimulation, you may choose to use a supplemental feeding aide that delivers formula or donated breast milk through a device that attaches to your breast. Supplemental formula feedings can also be given with a traditional bottle.
To learn more about induced lactation and how to increase your chances of successful breast-feeding, contact a lactation consultant at a local hospital or clinic.
Next questionNewborn care: Should I wake my baby for feedings?
- Wittig SL, et al. Induced lactation: Gaining a better understanding. MCN: The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing. 2008;33:76.
- Bryant CA. Nursing the adopted infant. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 2006;19:374.
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