lactation

[Katie S.]

sooo... weird comment, but i was curious so i knew right where to go!!!

juust found out my baby sisiter is pregnant (YAAAYYYY!!!!!!) and was looking online bout breast feeding, came across an artiicle that said sometimes the fathers lactate when their wives start to.

Anywho, i was wondering if i spend enough time around her, could i start to lactate, and would it be safe for me to breast feed her baby? she said she would be honored if i did, but i told her i needed to make sure it was safe first. i will of course go to a doctor to here from her also, but wanted to see if anyone on here knew about it?

[Jamie D]

Male lactation, without resorting to hormone therapy, is rare, but known to medical science.  (As compared to a condition called "galactorrhea")

Take a look at this website, which lists further resources and links.

http://www.menstuff.org/issues/byissue/malelactation.html

The issue is not "spending time" around her, but doing those things that would stimulate milk production from your breasts.

Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, you sister's breasts are forming additional glandular tissue (lobules and milk ducts) that you may not have to the same degree, even with HRT.

[nicole99]

It is pretty unlikely you will spontaneously start producing milk. You kind of need to develop the production system first.

But if you do achieve this awesome feat (I did it through hormones), your milk will not harm the baby (unless you have some infectious disease...).

My milk tasted just like my wife's did.  It's all yummy goodness baby!

[Dale]

Katie,

I do lactate. But to do this it take 4-6 months assuming you have developed breasts already. There are hormones you will need to take and you will have to use a breast pump many many times during a day, every day for months. This is not easy to do. It is wonderful to breastfed, a unique experience in life. But you must be commited to do it.  Get on line and do a lot of research, there is plenty of information there.

Dale

[noleen111]

Katie,

I do lactate. But to do this it take 4-6 months assuming you have developed breasts already. There are hormones you will need to take and you will have to use a breast pump many many times during a day, every day for months. This is not easy to do. It is wonderful to breastfed, a unique experience in life. But you must be commited to do it.  Get on line and do a lot of research, there is plenty of information there.

Dale

hmmm I would like to try this...

Do the breast pumps hurt you.. or is it pleasant

[Dale]

hmmm I would like to try this...

Do the breast pumps hurt you.. or is it pleasant

The level of suction is variable. So you can adjust I to you comfort level. I have alway had sensitive nipples, so the pull and release on the nipples by the pump has been a bit stimulating. I enjoy it. BTW since using the pump it has enlarged my nipples, and breasts got larger from the lactation.

[Katie S.]

thank you all so much!!! i cant waiit to start, and hope it all works out =) i am sure she will have more kids (she wants 7 lol) so if im not ready in a few months maybe i will be for the next ones =)

[nicole99]

Once you start lactating the more you take out, the more your body will produce. Its a natural way for your body to keep up with a babies growth.

I think the body is amazing - the milk that first comes out is the fore milk. It is thinner,, seems to be sweeter and has less fat. It is good for baby thirst quenching and immediate energy needs. But the stuff that really satisfys their hunger is the hind milk. It is thicker and contains more fats.

[Jamie D]

thank you all so much!!! i cant waiit to start, and hope it all works out =) i am sure she will have more kids (she wants 7 lol) so if im not ready in a few months maybe i will be for the next ones =)

If your goal is to breastfeed your nieces or nephews, then I strongly suggest that you talk to your doctors about adding progesterone to your HRT.  Progesterone will aid in developing more lobules and milk ducts.

You might also want to read about hormonal levels in pregnant females.

[noleen111]

I am going to do this...

I am seeing my doctor tomorrow for my check-up..  I am gonna ask about drugs to allow my body to produce milk.. I need to find a breast pump....

This morning I was walking around the shops killing time before an appointment.. and I found myself looking at nursing bras.. I know I dont actually need one.. but it was fun to pretend.

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Katie,

Congratulations on wanting to take on such an onerous task. I wish you all the best. I suggest before you get carried away with it all, you reread all the advice given above several times until you fully understand it all.

This isn't an easy task, takes a lot of preparation and persistence to achieve and maintain. Anxiety, stress and a whole pocket full of other issues can interrupt the process which may cause you discomfort.

Be aware of the possibilities of Mastitus. This can be particularly painful.

If you're still happy to follow through, I heard that the Deluxe Nurture III breast pump is quite effective and reasonably priced. You can find it here
http://www.baileymed.com/cgi-bin/store/cart/List.cgi?F=l&C=Breast%20Pumps

Hope all goes to plan and congratulate your sister for me.

Be safe, well and happy.

Lotsa huggs
Catherine 

[Hannah]

D'aww, I envy that.

I was googling around a while ago because I was curious about the same thing. I found this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolactin#Effects

I read (I think it was an article by a midwife), that it's possible for adoptive parents to breastfeed, but you most likely won't produce the same amount of milk as the birth mother would.

[Dale]

D'aww, I envy that.

I was googling around a while ago because I was curious about the same thing. I found this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolactin#Effects

I read (I think it was an article by a midwife), that it's possible for adoptive parents to breastfeed, but you most likely won't produce the same amount of milk as the birth mother would.

Hannah
I fill a small dixie cup, half way to full twice a day. Not enough to breastfeed, but I'm only expressing twice a day. If you express or breastfeed every 3-4 hours much more milk will be produced. Its a simple little factory, the more demand the more it makes!

[r22b2]

I found that being on androcur and progesterone, and then going from a high level of estrogen to a low level of estrogen started milk production for me. It was unplanned though, and the first time I lactated I flipped out and went straight to my doctor. He smiled and told me that it's normal. I find that the more I express the more I produce. It really is amazing because I never thought I would lactate, and the thought never even crossed my mind when I started hrt, but I am used to it now, and I would be a bit disappointed if I were to stop lactating now.

[Dale]

I found that being on androcur and progesterone, and then going from a high level of estrogen to a low level of estrogen started milk production for me. It was unplanned though, and the first time I lactated I flipped out and went straight to my doctor. He smiled and told me that it's normal. I find that the more I express the more I produce. It really is amazing because I never thought I would lactate, and the thought never even crossed my mind when I started hrt, but I am used to it now, and I would be a bit disappointed if I were to stop lactating now.

Check out Hannah's post above on Prolactin