Milk samples were collected from five women with adopted infants who had induced lactation by infant sucking. Milk samples were collected during the first five days of milk production and compared with samples of milk from five biological mothers. The mean protein concentration in the induced lactating women was identical to that of transitional milk of post-partum donors. Levels of these constituents were higher in the colostrum of the biological mothers. The milk brought in by non-biological mothers, in other words, skips the colostral phase and more closely resembles transitional and mature breastmilk.
Many women use a feeding tube device.
This is a bag or bottle which is worn suspended on the mother's chest. These devices have thin, silicone feeding tubes which are taped to the nipple with hypoallergenic surgical tape. The baby sucks the breast, and milk flows through the tubes as through a straw, delivering donor milk or formula directly at the breast. Mothers who are attempting to induce lactation profit from assistance and support from informed sources. Local La Leche League Leaders will be able to help women obtain printed information on the subject and may be able to network an adopting mother with another women who has induced lactation.