Originally posted by Curtis
Have you tried reading books on breastfeeding? At any decent-sized bookstore there'll be a dozen or so and, if it's one of the chain stores (Borders, Barnes&Noble), they'll let you sit in the store and read them in comfort, so you can be sure the book you're buying actually has the information you need.

If there is one in your area, check out the local LaLecheLeague (if not, I'm guessing they have a website). They have literature to help adoptive mothers induce lactation. You don't need to tell them why you need the information, but just in case you might make up a story.

There is no magic injection; it requires ten or fifteen minutes of nipple exercises several times a day for a couple of weeks or more, and it doesn't always work. If you've put in your time and not gotten any result, a VERY understanding OB/GYN can prescribe an oxytocin nasal spray that you can try for another week or so (continuing the nipple exercises), but if you have no luck after that, you're probably out of luck. (Prolactin makes the milk, oxytocin makes the milk available.)

There are at least two other Forumites who know more about this than I do, Pooka and e.e.norcod. Maybe they'll show up to give advice. Good luck.
Excellent, excellent post! In addition to nipple stimulation, some sing the praises of brewer's yeast for helping to stimulate lactation. What I would advise, short of borrowing someone's infant (which is the best way to induce lactation), is getting a GOOD pump--steer clear of those crappy gerber-type pumps you find in grocery stores and toy stores. We call those "nipple thrashers," and with good reason. If you can't fork over 200+ bucks for a good Medela pump (some LC's do have them available for rent), then pick up an Avent Isis--it's a manual pump, but it's a GOOD manual pump. Use it at least 3-4 times a day, for at least 15-20 minutes per breast per session.

Nipple stimulation will cause an oxytocin and prolactin release. That's a happy thing, though the effects may surprise you.

There are various drugs known to stimulate lactation--Reglan used to be the standard, but has a lot of undesirable (and sometimes hazardous) side effects. Please remember that birth control pills can suppress lactation. Sometimes high estrogen therapy followed by sudden cessation can induce lactation.

It's very rare for a woman to induce lactation fully, i.e., most women who induce are not able to produce enough milk to sustain an infant without supplementation.

Kallie