[aclee]

Hi everyone...I have a couple questions and wanted to see if anyone could help me.

First, I can't take birth control pills, so I'd like to start with herbs and Dom and pumping.
For those that have taken that route, how long did it take you to get in any kind of a supply (more than a drops let's say)?

Did you nurse during that time, or were you just pumping?

Did you supplemental feed as well with an SNS or Lact-Aid?

I have a Medela Pump and Style...I've heard this isn't "strong" enough, and I should rent a machine. Any thoughts? Anyone used this with success?

Second, I will have to stop taking one of my medications while I BF if I am successful and I need to try and "time" that right since it's a monthly infusion (Orencia) were there any indications prior to actual production that you were on the right track?

Did anyone else fear that their bodies were too "broken" to do this...I do? :*(

[DenzilDragon]

Wish I could help! There are some questions there I'd like the answer to, too. Another place you might want to ask is at the adoption forum over on the Attachment Parenting site (You'll need to create an account & then ask for access to the adoption forum).

[nurse_reedle]

That is how I induced and I never rented a machine. With Isaac, once I started the Dom it was a matter of a couple of days to drops and maybe 2 months until I was pumping 16 ounces a day. I was pumping 24 ounces a day when we picked him up and I never had to supplement.

I am inducing this way again and alothough progress has been slower, I have not pumped consistently and don't plan to until we are matched. I will have an SNS on hand if I need it during the early weeks. am figuring on have a full supply again with this new baby.

I used a Purely Yours the first time and am using a PIS this time.

I briefly had fears my body was too broken...and I forced those thoughts a side with lots of prayer. It was so healing when my body came thorugh for me!

[zombie]

For those that have taken that route, how long did it take you to get in any kind of a supply (more than a drops let's say)?
It took a few days after starting the dom, but I had been pumping already. I never was able to pump a whole lot, but the baby was able to get a lot more out than the pump. Some women can never pump much milk no matter how much they make. I went to a breastfeeding support group and several mothers there couldn't pump much in spite of having a full supply.

Did you nurse during that time, or were you just pumping?
I wasn't able to nurse until I got a halfway decent supply.

Did you supplemental feed as well with an SNS or Lact-Aid?
I used a Lact-Aid for a month or 2. It is a pain.

I have a Medela Pump and Style...I've heard this isn't "strong" enough, and I should rent a machine. Any thoughts? Anyone used this with success?
I rented a machine. I think it was worth it.

Second, I will have to stop taking one of my medications while I BF if I am successful and I need to try and "time" that right since it's a monthly infusion (Orencia) were there any indications prior to actual production that you were on the right track?

No indications, but the milk started very rapidly after starting the dom.

Did anyone else fear that their bodies were too "broken" to do this...I do? :*(
I looked up a bunch of medical studies on inducing lactation, and the main factor in success is persistance. It can be very frustrating and hard work, but it was totally worth it for me. Good luck.
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[aclee]

till baby is here! I have about 2 weeks or so till Matty will be here, and so far the only thing I have is a pump...and THAT is going terrible. I think the flanges I have are to small. I'm doing shorter periods of time than I would like to be doing, but I'm BRUISING! I ordered larger flanges, the Lact-aid, and the Dom. Still haven't found the sill herbs, but haven't had a chance to check the actual vitamen stores either. I will do that soon. I am hoping the Dom gets here before we have to go get Matty, but we'll see I guess. Hopefully I'll start getting some packages with my supplies!

[nurse_reedle]

Yes, too small of flanges are a nightmare. I had that problem. One thing that helped until I figured that out was to put a little bit of olive oil on my nipple and then it could move more freely without getting "caught" kind of.