Relactation and Induced Lactation

Relactation means making milk again after stopping breastfeeding. Induced lactation means starting to make milk without having been pregnant. You may be considering relactation after a difficult start to breastfeeding, or coming to breastfeeding through adoption, surrogacy, or co-nursing (sharing breastfeeding with the birthing parent). Whatever the circumstances, the desire to breastfeed can be powerful and deeply personal.

Breastfeeding is about much more than the amount of milk a baby receives. Alongside the nutritional and protective qualities of human milk, breastfeeding offers closeness, comfort, communication, and security. For many families, success is not measured by the amount of milk produced, but by finding ways to nurture, comfort, and connect with their baby through breastfeeding.

This article explains what relactation and induced lactation involve, how milk production can be encouraged, and practical ways to support breastfeeding when rebuilding a milk supply, breastfeeding an adopted or surrogate-born baby, or co-nursing.

How much milk can I expect to make?

This will depend on your individual situation. If you birthed your baby, started off fully breastfeeding, and the gap since you stopped has been short, you stand a very good chance of recovering most or even all of your milk production.

If you need to continue supplementing while your baby is young, this may change as they grow. Some mothers who need to supplement in the early months find that once their baby starts family foods, the need for supplements gradually reduces. In some cases, breastfeeding alone is then enough to meet their baby’s remaining milk needs.

If the gap has been longer, you had a low milk supply from the start, or you’re inducing lactation without having been pregnant, you might expect to make less milk. Many people in these situations make a partial milk supply and continue to use supplements. But you never know what you can do until you try. Some mothers are surprised by how much milk they make. Others produce only small amounts despite a great deal of effort. Whatever your milk production turns out to be, breastfeeding can still help you meet your baby’s needs for closeness, comfort, and security.

Breastfeeding an adopted baby – one mother’s experience

It is possible to establish milk production for an adopted baby, even if you have never been pregnant or given birth, as Ginny did. A nursing supplementer is a device that enables you to feed your baby extra milk (expressed milk or formula) whilst nursing at the breast. You can find out more in our article on Nursing Supplementers.

Ginny’s story
“Carly came to us at 12 weeks. Her foster mother from day two had been lovely to her. She had Carly on infant formula feeds. The first time I put Carly to my breast she happily latched on, even though there was no milk and no supplementer. Wow! I’d forgotten the strength of a baby’s suck. It didn’t make me sore and soon I was used to it and loved having another baby to nurse.

Her big brother (who was home-made) had fully weaned three years before.  My attempts to assemble the supplementer were hopeless for the first day or two. Not that it’s difficult, but I was anxious, so her dad got it ready for me to just hang round my neck. Carly easily did the switch from bottle to breast with supplementer. Pretty soon I noticed her dirty nappies showing breastmilk stools (yellow, runny, sweeter smell) along with the artificial infant milk ones. I soon had a thirst at feeding times and needed a glass of water next to me.

Then a couple of weeks or so on I had a go at expressing and saw some drops of real live breastmilk! I knew a lot of theory but still doubted my body’s ability to lactate without childbirth. Nearly three months on, Carly didn’t need any more infant formula than she had at 12 weeks old, so my breasts were making the rest of her requirements. Her skin glowed in that breastmilk way. I really felt like I was her mum.

The breastfeeding, along with using a baby carrier lots of the day and keeping her nearby at night, helped me bond. Certainly it wasn’t just as easy and convenient as fully breastfeeding, but it was worth the effort. I shall always be thankful for such a good start to mothering our adopted child.”

How milk production works

During pregnancy, hormones prepare the breasts to make milk by increasing the number of milk-making cells and ducts. Colostrum, the first milk, is produced from mid-pregnancy. After birth, milk production increases in response to the hormones prolactin and oxytocin, together with the frequent removal of milk from the breasts. You can find more information in our article How Milk Production Works.

Although pregnancy makes this process easier, it isn’t essential. The breasts can respond to stimulation at other times too. Frequent breastfeeding, expressing, or a combination of both can encourage milk production in mothers who are relactating and in those inducing lactation without having been pregnant.

How much milk you make will depend on a number of factors, including:

• your baby’s age and willingness to breastfeed (the younger the baby, the more willing they’re likely to be)
• how often and how effectively milk is removed from your breasts (by breastfeeding or expressing)
• whether you have been pregnant or breastfed before, and how long ago
• any medical conditions that may affect milk production, such as thyroid problems or diabetes
• previous surgery or injury involving your breasts or nipples
• conditions affecting the pituitary gland, where some of the hormones involved in milk production are made
• the reason for any infertility, if relevant
• the practical and emotional support available to you.

Every situation is different and it’s impossible to predict exactly what will happen for you. Bringing back a milk supply, or building one from scratch, can be hard work. Some families decide that the possibility of breastfeeding, whatever the outcome, makes the effort worthwhile. Others decide that the demands outweigh the potential benefits. There is no single “right” way forward. La Leche League Leaders can help you think through your options and decide whether this is something you would like to try.

Medical conditions, medications, and breastfeeding
If you are taking any medication for a health condition, let your doctor know that you are planning to breastfeed. Lactation can affect the management of certain medical conditions – for example, diabetic mothers often find that their insulin requirements are lower while breastfeeding. If a medication you are taking is incompatible with breastfeeding, or may affect milk production, there may be alternatives. LLL Leaders can help you find information for you to share with your medical team.

How to start relactation or induced lactation

It is possible to bring in, or bring back, a milk supply just by breastfeeding or expressing. It can take anything from a few days to a few weeks to be able to express a few drops of milk, and a few weeks more before you are making as much milk as you can make.

Using medications, herbs, or special foods to support milk production

There are protocols to stimulate breast development using oral contraceptives for weeks or months before the baby arrives. This approach aims to mimic some of the hormonal changes of pregnancy.

Some people also choose to explore ‘galactogogues’ – hormonal, herbal, pharmacological, or dietary approaches to support milk production once they’re breastfeeding or expressing. Evidence for these approaches is limited, and they are not suitable for everyone. If you are interested in taking medications or herbs, you will need to work with your healthcare provider and, ideally, a breastfeeding specialist such as an IBCLC.

You can find more information in our article How to Increase Your Milk Supply and in Further Reading, below.

Helping your baby start to breastfeed
Your baby will have their own story. They may have previously enjoyed breastfeeding, found it stressful, or never had the opportunity to try. They may take to it straight away, or need time and patience to get used to this new way of feeding.

Taking a ‘babymoon’
If you can, get some help with household jobs and older children so you can concentrate on breastfeeding your baby. Even if you can’t manage this, plan some time each day to relax with your baby and focus on breastfeeding.

Many babies younger than about three months old are willing to learn to breastfeed. They still have most of the instincts and reflexes that drive newborns to seek the breast, latch on, and feed. But many babies older than this have also learnt to breastfeed, or gone back to breastfeeding. No one can predict whether your baby will breastfeed – but it’s a strongly programmed behaviour for babies, and many babies will, with time, patience, and perhaps some creativity.

Breastfeeding may be a new experience for you too, so you will want to find good support and information on the basics of breastfeeding, including comfortable positioning and attachment. Check out the Further Reading section below. If you are relactating it may also help to talk through why you stopped breastfeeding.

You might like to get in touch with your nearest La Leche League group. LLLL Leaders are always happy to listen. You might also find it helpful to attend a La Leche League breastfeeding group meeting to watch other mothers breastfeeding and pick up ideas. Anyone who is working on milk production and breastfeeding is warmly welcome, however their baby is currently fed.

Making sure your baby gets enough milk

At first you will need to supplement breastfeeds with your usual amount of expressed breastmilk or formula. As your own milk supply increases, you may be able to reduce the amount of supplement.

Choosing feeding tools

There are lots of options to keep your baby safely fed while you begin breastfeeding. The feeding tools you choose will depend on your baby’s age and previous feeding experiences, and what you feel comfortable with.

If you’re using bottles, take care to feed at your baby’s pace, to reduce the risk of overfeeding. Bottles can be given in skin-to-skin contact and some babies will accept a “bait-and-switch” – starting with a bottle in a breastfeeding position, and switching over to the breast part-way through the feed.

A nipple shield (a thin layer of flexible silicone worn over your own nipple) can help a baby who is used to the firm feel of a bottle teat. You can read more in our article on nipple shields.

Some parents find that reducing or removing bottles altogether encourages their baby to breastfeed. Babies of any age can instead be fed by cup. A newborn baby can be finger-fed, drawing milk through a tube while they suck on your finger. If you’re interested in trying this, a breastfeeding specialist midwife or IBCLC can help.

Nursing supplementers have the advantage of supplementing while your baby breastfeeds. They can be especially useful at the start if your baby is put off by slow flow at the breast when milk production is low. Longer term, they can be ideal for parents with a partial milk supply who want to feed at the breast. You can read more about how to use them in our article on Nursing Supplementers.

Our article on Bottles and Other Tools has more detail.

Using supplements
If you have expressed breastmilk, you can give this first, before you give your baby formula. To make the most of your precious milk, avoid mixing the two together. Formula supplements need to be prepared just before use and according to NHS guidelines for preparing formula.

Although expensive, using ready-to-feed formula may be more convenient when you are out and about or at home without help. If you’re finger-feeding or using a nursing supplementers, ready-to-feed formula is less likely to clog tubing than powdered formula.

You can find more information in our article Using Donor Milk and Formula to Support Breastfeeding.

Bringing in or rebuilding a milk supply

Before your baby arrives

If your baby is not with you yet, you have the option of starting to express in advance, to bring in some milk before your baby arrives. The more frequently you express, the more milk you are likely to make. To make as much milk as possible, aim to express at least 8 times each 24 hours. Try to establish a routine you can sustain on a day-to-day basis, and fit in extra sessions on days when you have more time. Milk you express before your baby arrives can be frozen for later use. You can read more about how to express below.

Bringing in milk by breastfeeding

If your baby will breastfeed right away, frequent nursing is the most effective way to bring in a milk supply. If your baby isn’t nursing yet, see Encouraging your baby to breastfeed, below.

Offer the breast whenever your baby seems interested. It may be helpful to reduce or stop using a dummy, to encourage your baby to breastfeed for comfort as well as food. Be prepared to encourage night-time and frequent evening nursing, as this can be particularly good at increasing milk production. A soft carrier or sling can be a handy way of keeping your baby close and encouraging breastfeeding.

If your baby will go to the breast frequently and can nurse well, breastfeeding is usually the most effective way of increasing milk production. Expressing milk is an extra, to give your supply even more of a boost. This could be after, between, or even during breastfeeds. Mothers who breastfeed frequently (10–12 times a day or more) and don’t have the time to express any milk often increase their milk and establish breastfeeding fastest. Don’t be surprised if you don’t notice any increase in the amount of milk you can express. If you are nursing your baby frequently, he will take the extra milk directly at the breast without you realising. You will know this is happening if your baby needs less supplement, while continuing to gain weight well.

A deep, comfortable latch

When your baby is deeply attached, with a big mouthful of breast, nursing  is comfortable for you and your baby can stimulate your milk supply effectively. You can try experimenting with different feeding positions. Laid-back breastfeeding positions are a lovely way to spend relaxed time with your baby, enabling them to explore the breast at their own pace. Placed tummy-down on your body, your baby may instinctively seek the breast and latch with little or no help. You can find lots of information about various positions, and how to help your baby latch deeply, in our articles Comfortable Breastfeeding: Essentials and Positioning & Attachment. If breastfeeding is uncomfortable, or your nipples become sore, find breastfeeding help quickly. Small adjustments can make a big difference.

Start and finish at the breast
Babies expect fast flowing milk at the start of a feed when they are thirsty. This approach might be worth a try:

This can work well even if you need to give large amounts of supplement. If your milk production is very low and your baby is reluctant to breastfeed, you may need to start feeds with the supplement until it increases a little. Or you can use a nursing supplementer from the start of a breastfeed, so your baby gets milk as soon as they start nursing.

It can be helpful to switch breasts at least two or three times during each feed — when your baby comes off the first breast, or when breast compressions no longer keep them breastfeeding actively. Experiment to find what works best for you. With time, your baby may need less switching and breast compression to keep them actively nursing.

Expressing milk

If your baby isn’t with you yet, isn’t breastfeeding, or you just have time and want to bring in as much milk as possible, you can express your breasts to tell your body to make more milk. The more often you can express, the more milk you’re likely to make. There are several ways to do it.

You can find more detail in our article on Expressing Your Milk.

Hand expression
Hand expression is very effective, especially if you’re producing small amounts of milk. The skin contact helps stimulate milk flow. Hand expression also works well when combined with pumping. You can use it to stimulate your milk flow before pumping, to maintain flow while pumping, and (especially) after pumping to express milk the pump has not reached.

You can read more in our article Hand Expression of Breastmilk.

Pumping
“Hospital-grade” breasts pumps are the most effective tool for most people who need to express milk. These pumps are larger and faster than the kind of small pump you might buy online, and designed for thousands of hours of pumping. You might be able to borrow a pump like this from your midwifery or health visiting team, or they can be rented online and sent out to you by courier.

Pumping both breasts at the same time saves time, stimulates milk production, and boosts milk-producing hormones better than single pumping. However, you do need to sit in one place to use a pump of this type.

Wearable or ‘hands-free’ pumps enable you to pump on the move. Some models connect to apps which control the pump and track your milk volumes. Though very convenient, many mothers find that they are not as powerful as hospital-grade pumps. Their best use, when you’re relactating or inducing lactation, may be as an “extra” pump that allows you to express more often.

When pumping one breast at a time, try switching back and forth between breasts as your milk flow slows.

You can find information on how to clean your pump and store and handle expressed milk in our article Storing Your Milk.

Making time to express
It can help to think of expressing time as an enjoyable break to have with a drink, snack, or treat. Put your feet up and listen to, watch, or read something you enjoy. Find something that makes you relax and smile. The less you think about the process, the more you may be able to express.

Try expressing your milk:

• In the evening if your baby sleeps — to ‘put in an order’ for more milk tomorrow.
• During or after skin-to-skin contact.
• A few times close together (sometimes called ‘power pumping’)
• Little and often — as frequently as you can manage.

You can find more tips in our article How to Increase Your Milk Supply.

Encouraging your baby to breastfeed

Breastfeeding is something that babies do — they can never be made to breastfeed and trying to force is a recipe for stress. It’s your job to set the scene for breastfeeding and try to make it as easy as possible. Your baby can do the rest.

Keep your baby close

Offer lots of close contact and carrying, either skin-to-skin or lightly dressed, to help your baby associate close contact with comfort and satisfaction. It may be particularly helpful to hold your baby skin-to-skin while they’re being fed by bottle or cup. If your baby needs to suck for comfort, offering the breast rather than a dummy may also encourage them to nurse.

Pick your moment

You might think that the best time to offer the breast is when your baby is hungry, but in practice this can be stressful for both of you. It may work better if you offer the breast before they are hungry, or even after a full feed. Babies who are learning to breastfeed after a period of bottle-feeding often start with “dessert” at the breast, before they learn that the breast can be the main course or starter!

Sleepy babies may also be more willing to try breastfeeding. In light sleep, many babies respond instinctively to the sensations of being held at the breast. If you can, hold your baby skin-to-skin when they’re falling asleep and waking up. You might also want to try lying down with your baby for a nap or nighttime sleep, if you can do this safely. You can find information about safe sleep in Further Reading, below.

Some babies don’t take to breastfeeding straight away. It can be enormously frustrating, but patience and gentle persistence are often all that is needed. These suggestions might help:

Give your baby time

If you’ve been trying hard to breastfeed but your baby is still reluctant, it may be helpful to take a break. Focus on spending relaxed time with your baby, enjoying each other’s company. Once your baby is comfortable with the closeness, they may latch on when you least expect it. And even if they don’t, all the time you spend holding, comforting, and responding to your baby is valuable in its own right. Celebrate any steps your baby takes towards breastfeeding, such as accepting a bottle in skin-to-skin contact for the first time, or nuzzling the breast. Be gentle on yourself and take time to meet your own needs for food and rest. You and your baby are both doing the best you can.

Moving away from supplements

If your baby will breastfeed and your milk supply increases, you will be able to reduce the amount of supplement that your baby takes. It’s important to do this gradually and safely, so your baby continues to get their usual amount of milk. Monitor your baby’s weight gain and track their wet and dirty nappies during this process. Whatever the eventual balance between breastfeeding and supplements, you and your baby can enjoy the closeness of breastfeeding.

Signs your milk supply is increasing

These are common signs of increased milk production:

• Your breasts feel warmer, fuller, or heavier.
• You start to leak milk, or can express more milk.
• Your baby’s poo becomes softer, more yellow, and sweeter smelling.
• Your baby starts to take less supplement, while continuing to grow well.
• You feel extra thirsty when breastfeeding.

Reduce supplements gradually
Once your baby is nursing well and gaining weight steadily, and you are producing more milk, you can start reducing supplements.

• Reduce the amount of supplement gradually so your baby continues to get plenty of milk.
• A common approach is to reduce all or several of the day’s supplements by very small amounts, for example 5–15ml for each one, every few days.
• At times of the day when you feel as though you have more milk, for example, in the morning, you may be able to reduce a supplement by 20–30ml.
• It might eventually be possible to give all the supplements in the daytime, so that you’re just breastfeeding at night.
• Be prepared to take things more slowly if your baby grows more slowly, becomes fussy, or seems hungry. You may need to increase the supplements again.

You can find more information about reducing supplements in our article Weaning from Supplements

Maintaining your milk production

You’ve done the hard work of bringing in milk, and your supply has peaked and settled. It might meet 100% of your baby’s needs, or a small proportion. Either way, you’re giving your baby 100% of what you have available.

So what happens now? The good news is that babies’ requirements for milk don’t keep increasing for long. By about a month after birth, babies born at full term are taking about as much milk as they will ever need. (Premature babies may reach this milestone later). They will keep taking about this amount until six months. After that, their milk requirements will gradually reduce as some of the calories are replaced by other foods in their diet. This means that whatever amount of milk you’re able to produce will eventually form a bigger part of their milk intake than it does now. Breastfeeding can be a long game, lasting for two years or more. Many parents who struggled early on find that the later months and years are the most rewarding part of breastfeeding.

To keep your hard-earned milk production going:

Away from your baby?
It’s harder to keep your milk supply strong if you aren’t with your baby, but many mothers have done it. You could:

• Compensate for lack of daytime nursing by encouraging night-time nursing. Sleeping with or close to your baby enables you to maximise your sleep.
• When you are together, nurse as often as your baby is willing. You don’t have to follow the same pattern every day of the week. It’s your baby’s milk intake across the whole week that matters.
• Express when you are away from your baby, especially if your breasts become uncomfortably full.

Defining your own success

Relactating or inducing lactation is a big commitment, probably best entered into with equal measures of optimism and realism. You might consider it but decide that it’s not for you. Perhaps you have tried it but become tired and discouraged because your baby is still reluctant to breastfeed. Whether or not you choose to go ahead with it, and however it turns out, you can still have a warm, close relationship with your baby. You not alone, and we’re here to support you.

Written by Karen Butler, Sue Upstone, and mothers of LLLGB

Updated by Jayne Joyce, June 2026

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