Induced Lactation - Can it be Done?

I have been fortunate to work with a variety of parents over the years, with many different stories. One of these is the process of inducing lactation in a non-birthing parent. Induced lactation is hard work, but can be very rewarding. There are three main things to keep in mind: You may not make a full supply, any amount of breastmilk is beneficial, and what works for you and your baby may not be what works for someone else.
When counseling parents I start with my go-to book, Breastfeeding without Birthing. Alyssa Schnell's book has tons of information about starting the process of inducing a milk supply, methods to make milk and how to navigate challenges along the way. The next step is to find out what your goals are - do you want to exclusively nurse your baby? Are you ok with supplementing? Will there be someone else also breastfeeding the baby? It is important to make sure you have support from your partner or family and that they understand how important this is to you. Induced lactation requires time and patience (often before baby is even here) and will be much easier with support. 

Your medical team is also a key part of this process. If you don't already have a doctor who is knowledgeable in this area, ask around to find someone who understands induced lactation and can work with you to achieve your goals. Some parents choose to use medication - the Goldfarb protocol is a popular and often effective method to induce lactation. Check out some of the Facebook groups for non-birthing parents wanting to breastfeed, as peer support is also  helpful when going through this. Finally, if you will be present for baby's birth, make sure your delivery team knows breastfeeding is important to you and can support you in the postpartum period. Skin to skin, early pumping and rooming-in can all help you get off to a good start. 
Last but not least, the nuts and bolts - a good pump and a hands-free pumping bra! The most effective pump is a hospital grade, double electric pump. Most insurance companies cover an electric pump, but ask if they will cover a hospital grade for inducing lactation. You can also look into renting a hospital grade pump. A standard electric pump is ok too, just make sure it is well rated for suction and durability. I don't recommend a used pump, both for hygienic and utility (those motors don't last forever) reasons. The newest trend, a hands-free pumping bra can make your pumping life much easier and is more effective than the hands-free pumps on the market (these are often lower strength). 

It's tough to induce lactation but it can be so enriching; don't forget that any amount of breastmilk/breastfeeding is beneficial for you and baby and that your journey belongs to you!