Surrogacy and Lactation | Everything You Need to Know About Lactation
Lactating women can make great candidates for becoming a surrogate because they are already experienced in pregnancy and childbirth. They may also have finished growing their own families, have enjoyed being pregnant and are willing and ready to help another person experience the joys of parenthood.
- Proven Pregnancy
- Enjoy Being Pregnant
- Recent Experience Navigating Pregnancy
You can make up to $72,000 as a first time surrogate with the ConceiveAbilities $10,000 limited time bonus. Because we know moms like you make great surrogates, we prioritize your compensation.
Inspired by The #MilkBankChallenge
Before becoming a surrogate, Breanna Allen joined the #MilkBankChallenge to donate her oversupply of breast milk to infants in need. “I know some women aren’t able to produce enough milk, or any at all, so it was truly an amazing experience to know I could help another mom with providing her baby with nourishment.” Through her involvement in the #MilkBankChallenge, Breanna learned more about surrogacy and made the decision to become a surrogate to help another family.
Surrogacy and Lactation
Do surrogates pump for their intended family? Not every surrogate will pump breastmilk for their intended family. Many intended parents and surrogates make the shared decision to pump breast milk for the baby. There are pros and cons to pumping as a surrogate. If a surrogate chooses to pump for her intended family, she will be compensated. Some surrogates choose to donate their excess supply to a local milk bank. Some surrogates opt to let their milk supply dry up.
As part of ConceiveAbilities Surrogate Care and Compensation Package, we offer fourth trimester postpartum support after a surrogate completes her surrogacy journey, including lactation and pumping support.
Fourth Trimester Postpartum Care and Lactation
What is the fourth trimester? The fourth trimester refers to the first three months after birth. It is a time when there’s a lot of transition in both the mother’s personal life and of course, a newborn being in the world. what it means to a woman who has recently given birth in that period of time, what happens to her body and her postpartum recovery.
What Is Lactation?
According to The Cleveland Clinic, lactation is the process of making human milk. Human milk is secreted through your mammary glands, which are located in your breasts. Lactation is hormonally driven and occurs naturally in people who are pregnant. It can also be induced in those who are not pregnant. Lactation will continue as long as milk is being removed from your breasts. The CDC has compiled breastfeeding and lactation information all in one convenient place for you to learn more.
What is Breastfeeding?
There is a difference between lactation and breastfeeding. Lactation is the process of making breastmilk. Breastfeeding, or nursing, is the act of feeding a child directly from the breast, or chest feeding. The infant will latch on the breast and suckle to feed directly from the breast. Learn more about nursing basics from Webmd and these breastfeeding tips from FamilyDoctor.org.
How Do You Pump Breast Milk?
You can feed a child breast milk without breastfeeding through pumping. Many women, including surrogates, choose to pump. Lactation expert Lenna Gregory of Mothers' Milk Bank Denver shares her expert tutorial on how to pump, ship and donate breast milk.
What Are The Benefits of Breast Milk
Breast milk is often called liquid gold because of its high nutritional and immunity benefits. The World Health Organization (WHO) says breast milk is the ideal food for infants. Breast milk protects babies from diarrhea, asthma, ear infections, pneumonia and more. Not only does breast milk contain important antibodies that protect against many childhood illnesses, it also provides all the energy and nutrients a child needs for the first few months of life. The Cleveland Clinic shares even more benefits of breast milk.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), strongly recommend breastfeeding exclusively (no formula, juice, or water) for 6 months. After the introduction of other foods, it recommends continuing to breastfeed through the baby’s first year of life. As an infant grows, breast milk changes to meet the infant’s nutritional needs. Learn more about breast milk and nutrition at different stages.
What Are the Benefits of Breastfeeding or Pumping to the Mother or Surrogate?
Lactation is an important part of postpartum for both the woman and the baby. Not only can breastmilk can help the infant, it also has benefits to the woman including having a lower risk for the following:
- Breast cancer.
- Ovarian cancer.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- High blood pressure.
During pumping or breastfeeding, your body releases a hormone called oxytocin, which helps your uterus contract and return to its pre-pregnant size more quickly, as well as helping to reduce postpartum bleeding.
Lactation Support
It takes a village, and there’s lots of help for you as you embark on breastfeeding or pumping. Don’t be discouraged if you are finding lactation, breastfeeding or pumping challenging, there is help:
- Lactation Consultant: A certified lactation consultant is a professional who specializes in breastfeeding and lactation support. They can provide expert guidance, answer questions, and address any challenges you may be facing with breastfeeding.
- Pediatrician: Your child's pediatrician can provide advice and guidance on breastfeeding and can help address any medical concerns related to lactation, such as infant weight gain or potential issues with your baby's health."
- La Leche League: La Leche League International is a nonprofit organization that offers support, information, and encouragement to breastfeeding mothers. They have local chapters and online resources that can be helpful.
- Online Support Groups: Many online communities and social media groups are dedicated to breastfeeding and lactation support. These groups can be a valuable source of advice, shared experiences, and tips from other breastfeeding mothers.
- Breastfeeding Classes: Attending a breastfeeding class before or after childbirth can be an excellent way to learn more about breastfeeding techniques and to ask questions. These classes are often offered at hospitals or by community organizations.
- Friends and Family: Sometimes, friends and family members who have experience with breastfeeding can offer guidance and support. Sharing experiences and tips with people you trust can be reassuring.
- Nurse or Midwife: If you are in a hospital or under the care of a midwife, they can provide immediate assistance and guidance with breastfeeding in the early postpartum period."
- Postpartum Doula: A postnatal doula can help with lactation, latching, breastfeeding and pumping.
- Lactation Hotlines: The Office on Women's Health and many hospitals and healthcare providers have lactation hotlines that you can call for immediate assistance and advice. "
- Books and Online Resources: There are many books and reputable location websites dedicated to breastfeeding and lactation. These resources can provide valuable information and tips.
More questions about lactation? Learn more about frequently asked questions about breastfeeding, breast milk and breastfeeding.
Why Should Lactating Women Consider Becoming A Surrogate?
Lactating women have many qualities that make them excellent surrogates. Lactating women have already demonstrated their ability to carry a pregnancy to term, and give birth to a healthy baby. They have recently experienced pregnancy and childbirth, which can make them more comfortable with the physical and emotional aspects of the surrogacy process. Their familiarity with the challenges and changes that come with pregnancy can be reassuring for both the surrogate and intended parents.
Basic Surrogate Qualifications for Lactating Women
5 Basic requirements to be a surrogate:
- Have you given birth before?
- A history of at least one full-term, healthy and uncomplicated pregnancy is essential to ensuring your surrogacy journey is healthy and successful.
- How old are you?
- At the time you are matched with intended parents, you should be between 21 and 40 years of age.
- Are you a long-term US resident?
- The surrogacy journey is lengthy and is accomplished only by working with a US-based IVF clinic. A current or pending deployment may add some extra considerations to the timing of when you are a surrogate but, with our expertise, we will help you find a way forward to be a surrogate.
- Are you physically healthy?
- You must have an uncomplicated medical history, not be over- or under-weight, not currently smoke, and be free of certain chronic conditions.
- Are you emotionally healthy?
- Your surrogacy journey is demanding and requires a stable foundation in your life without undue stress.
How to Increase Milk Supply While Breastfeeding or Pumping
There are many ways to increase milk production.
- Get enough sleep
- Drink lots of water
- Eat a nutritious diet high in calcium
- Pump or breastfeed often. Supply and demand system. The more pump or feed, the more breast milk your body will make
How to Stop Lactation
The best way to stop lactation is to slow down your feeding or pumping schedule to gradually slow your breast milk production. There are many resources available to help you suppress lactation. Check out WebMD’s How to Dry Up Your Milk Supply.
Can You Breastfeed Without Giving Birth
It is possible to induce lactation without giving birth. Adoptive parents, intended parents Read from the La Leche League International article about how non-gestational mothers are able to lactate to provide nutrition to their child.
How Can I Donate My Breast Milk to a Local Milk Bank
Local milk banks are in need of donations. Learn more about how to donate your breast milk from lactation expert Lenna Gregory. Find a milk bank near you.
Infant Formula Shortage and How You Can Help
With the continuation of infant formula shortage, milk banks across the country are needed more than ever. Listen to our Podcast with HMBANA Executive Director Lindsay Groff talk about the Infant Formula Shortage.
Share with Lactating Women and Earn!
Earn $5 for Every Lactating Mom You Share This With!
Everyone can play a role in the 2023 #MilkBankChallenge and earn rewards. Create a Customized Share Link and text, email and share on your social channels with potentially lactating women. For each person in your community who enters their email to learn more about the #MilkBankChallenge, you earn a $5 reward and so do they!
What is the #MilkBankChallenge?
Learn more about the #MilkBankChallenge and how ConceiveAbilities is helping women continue their lactation journey while helping replenish milk banks across America.
Lactation Products and Services We Love
Milkify freeze dries your breast milk and turns it into a powder. It is a game changer for shipping and for storage, increasing breast milk shelf life to three years.
MAMMaway Freeze It Flat offers a great solution for breast milk storage. Created by a working mom, It holds up to four bags of breast milk at a time saving 30% more space in your freezer, allowing moms to feed their children even while they are away.
Milk Stork is the world’s only breast milk travel solution. Inspired by all the breastfeeding super moms who work and travel. Milk Stork helps ship efficiently so moms can provide their babies with the best possible nutrition.
Cookies Then Milk create lactation cookies and other mixes are specially designed to enhance breast milk production in lactating women. Each mix contains a blend of 3 key ingredients proven to support lactation: Whole Oats, Flaxseed and Brewer's Yeast. When combined with your favorite cookie dough ingredients you have a delicious, nutritious, milk enhancing cookie!
Dr. Nice's Moisturizing Gel was developed exclusively for breastfeeding by a renowned pharmacist and expert in breastfeeding and lactation pharmacology. Dr. Nice's Moisturizing Gel's patented, vegan, all-natural, lanolin-free formula instantly soothes and cools sore, cracked, chapped, and chafed nipples.