Reviving Ancient Practices: Resurrection & Personal Benefits of Induced Lactation

The earliest known classic reference to breast milk comes from Homer, the ancient Greek poet, in his epic The Iliad. Written in the 8th century BCE, The Iliad contains scenes of maternal care and nurturing, which include mentions of breast milk. In relation to this, I found a great relevant article on breasts in the Iliad and beyond which I recommend reading.Galen, the prominent Greek physician of the 2nd century CE, did recommend breast milk as a medicinal treatment. Galen recommended breast milk as a remedy for various ailments, particularly for weak or sickly infants. He believed that breast milk had the ability to restore health because of its nourishing properties. In some cases, he also suggested breast milk for adults who were suffering from certain diseases, as it was thought to have curative qualities, especially in promoting general strength and recovery. This is actually supported by modern research. Galen’s views on breast milk were influential and shaped medical thinking in the centuries that followed, as he was one of the most authoritative voices in Greco-Roman medicine. In the ancient world, breast milk and breastfeeding held sacred and healing significance, from the Hieros Gamos (sacred marriage of the sun and moon) rituals symbolizing divine union to ancient Egypt, where the goddess Isis was often depicted breastfeeding Pharaohs, relevant to sovereignty. Breast milk was seen as a powerful life-giving substance, and containers of it have been found from ancient Egypt, indicating its use as both a nourishment and a cure. This belief in the curative power of breast milk continued through the Middle Ages and persisted up to the 19th century, where it was used to treat a range of ailments, from eye infections to general weakness, as it was thought to contain healing properties essential for restoring health.

However, the practice of adult breastfeeding and the significance of breast milk can be traced back to the dawn of human history. According to Valerie Robinson’s research, it may have been a driving force behind the cooperation between men and women in prehistoric times. This idea is echoed in anthropological studies of less industrialized societies, where “the speech of the breast” fosters intimate connections between the sexes. Further supporting this, in the 1980s, Dr. Timothy Murrell discovered that inducing lactation and nipple stimulation in women over 40 could reduce cancer risk by up to 40%. Inspired by this, and after exploring various ANR (Adult Nursing Relationship) communities, I delved deeper into the intimate benefits—bonding, heightened sexual pleasure, and longer-lasting relationships—and decided to conduct my own research, becoming my own “Guinea Pig”.

Inducing lactation, particularly in adults, has a multifaceted history that intertwines with both cultural practices and medical advancements. Historically, lactation has been valued not only for its nutritional benefits to infants but also for its therapeutic properties, as seen in the use of human milk since the earliest of times as a basic medicine. The practice of inducing lactation, whether through regular nipple stimulation or the use of milk-inducing drugs like Domperidone (never take any medication without medical supervision), has allowed women to produce milk even in the absence of pregnancy. This process, known as induced lactation, can be beneficial for adoptive mothers or those who wish to continue lactation for emotional or sensual reasons after weaning a baby. The benefits of breast milk, such as its role in fostering a physical connection between mother and child but also adult partners and its potential to provide sensual pleasure, further highlight the significance of this practice. Understanding this historical and medical context provided me with a solid foundation for exploring my own personal motivations and benefits of inducing lactation.

A few months into my induced lactation journey, which I began at the end of summer, I’m finally ready to share my thoughts and experiences. I’ll admit, the start was a bit intimidating, especially going solo, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the progress. Though not yet complete, I can already claim a measure of success. After years of research, I knew I wanted to try this—not just as a historian exploring ancient practices of intimacy but as a woman deeply involved in sacred sexuality and wellness. Conversations with some of you, along with a few brief experiences of adult nursing over a decade ago, helped me see the profound similarities between this practice and Tantra. Both focus on creating a deep, intimate connection with your partner, a rare but powerful antidote in a world where instant gratification often overshadows true intimacy. Today, “intimacy” is often replaced with fetishes and kinks (I don’t see ABF/ANR as a kink, but rather as part of our legacy), and we shy away from vulnerability, unknowingly building barriers to the deep connections we truly crave.

Though my journey is ongoing, I had my first drop of milk over a month ago, and since then, my supply has grown as the supplements I took—Goat’s Rue and Moringa—began to work. I followed a strict pumping schedule, four times a day with power pumping sessions, and added Domperidone once my milk began to flow. My supply increased to about a quarter cup a day, but balancing the pumping with a hectic life has been challenging. Stress definitely impacts milk supply, libido, and energy, and at one point, I was so overwhelmed I almost quit. And I actually did stop altogether for a few days, almost a week. Still, the milk supply did not go away but just decreased. I had no trouble re-lactating after a decade, felt no pain, and didn’t experience clogged ducts, thanks to breast massages and staying active. As a woman who has long experienced deep pleasure and health benefits through nipple stimulation, pumping became a rather pleasurable and even addictive process. Yet over time, the mechanical noise grew tiresome, especially when multitasking. I began to understand why some women crave the softness of a partner’s suckling, to melt into the experience and drift off to sleep as lactation gently lulled them.

On the plus side, my breasts have become even fuller, with more pronounced nipples and areolas—though I had already seen these effects through years of nipple care, especially as a cancer survivor. Lactation also helped with weight loss, made my hair thicker and healthier, and improved my skin Perhaps it really is the elixir of youth? One of the greatest benefits has been the impact on my periods, which was another reason I pursued this. As someone who suffers from heavy periods and migraines, lactating reduced my flow and migraines, and it may eventually eliminate my periods altogether, which feels like a blessing. The downside? The pumping schedule is tough. It takes discipline, especially when you’re doing it alone. And dealing with the attention drawn by breasts that refuse to stay hidden (I’m now a 36 DD) can be challenging for someone like me. Not having a partner to share the experience with is something I sometimes regret, as I long for the closeness and intimacy that would come with it. But I have no time for that now, and if I am to be with anyone ever again, I want a solid relationship and not just someone who is there for the breasts…

Would I do it again? Absolutely—but always under medical guidance. In fact, I have picked up from where I left off and wearing the breast pump as I write these words, determined to see my “little experiment” through. I regret nothing, except perhaps the added stress from my busy schedule. This journey has reconnected me with my inner goddess, enhancing all my senses— including my abilities to move effortlessly between realms, this world and the Otherworld but also altered states—and making the unconscious even more conscious. I’ll add that I have made some friendships and connected deeply with other women which for me is unexpected at this stage in life. Everything feels deeper and more intense, but that can be a double-edged sword. Overall, it has been a deeply transformative experience for my body, mind, and spirit—a cathartic journey that is as daring as it is intimate. Not for the faint of heart, this path feels much like a quest for the “Grail,” meant for those who approach it with pure intentions and an open heart… those willing to surrender fully to its allure and the profound connection it offers.

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 Elayne (Sophia Unveiled)