With considerable dedication and preparation

The Mayo Clinic answers this question:

I’m adopting a newborn, and I’d like to breastfeed the baby when I bring him home. Can I produce breast milk if I haven’t been pregnant?

Neither the question nor the answer mentions “woman” but perhaps we can assume it’s assumed.

With considerable dedication and preparation, breastfeeding without pregnancy (induced lactation) might be possible.

Normally, the natural production of breast milk (lactation) is triggered by a complex interaction between three hormones — estrogen, progesterone and human placental lactogen — during the final months of pregnancy. At delivery, levels of estrogen and progesterone fall, allowing the hormone prolactin to increase and initiate milk production.

Induced lactation depends on the successful replication of this process. If you have months to prepare, your health care provider might prescribe hormone therapy — such as supplemental estrogen or progesterone — to mimic the effects of pregnancy. Hormone therapy may last for months.

About two months before you expect to start breastfeeding, you’ll likely stop hormone therapy and begin pumping your breasts with a hospital-grade electric breast pump. This encourages the production and release of prolactin. At first, pump for five minutes three times a day. Work up to pumping for 10 minutes every four hours, including at least once during the night. Then increase pumping time to 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. Continue the routine until the baby arrives.

In the absence of pregnancy it’s iffy, and a lot of trouble. I think it’s safe to conclude that in the absence of female breasts it’s a lot more iffy. A lot more.

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