Alicia:

I have had the privilege (for these women are truly inspiring) of working
successfully with 3 women who have each induced lactation in different
manners...or perhaps I should say, for different reasons.

One knew approx. when she was going to receive her adopted baby, and
consulted with me about 1 mo. prior to baby's birth. During our very 1st
consult, when I showed her how to hand-express.....a golden drop of
moisture burst out upon the surface of her nipple from one of the
ducts....and we both cried ('tear'drops)
at the miracle of the moment. I will never forget it. (I had not expected
anything much to happen and was just going through the motions with her)

She diligently stimulated for the rest of the month and was able to nurse a
fairly decent amount, but used supplements also.

The 2nd mom had about the same time-frame to stimulate.....normally she is
totally flat-chested, in the extreme. Is very thin by nature. However, she
did a lot of massage AND hand-expression movements...and managed to get a
very small amount of secretion going.
This mother did this mainly for the emotional satisfaction of having put
her adopted daughter to the breast.....and was quite satisfied with the
results of the experience - not putting too much importance on the actual
amount of milk produced.

I don't honestly recall the 3rd mother in detail, but in general, I have
found that a minimum of 2-3 weeks is necessary to get anything at all
going....and a month is much more adequate.

Anyone else want to share their experience on this?

Roberta