Nursing an Adopted Baby

T. -

Try this web site http://www.llli.org/NB/NBadoptive.html. It has a lot of information. Hope this helps.

http://www.llleus.org/web/FtCampbellClarksvilleKy.html

Also, you may want to look into this book...Breastfeeding the Adopted Baby, by Debra Stewart Peterson. Can an adopted baby really be breastfed? Yes! This newly revised book explains step-by-step the process of inducing lactation in a woman who has not given birth. Adoptive mother Debra Stewart Peterson offers these special mothers everything they need to enjoy the benefits breastfeeding holds for both mother and baby. Softcover. http://store.llli.org/public/product/137

I have a friend who successfully nursed her adopted daughter, so don't let people tell you it is impossible. I know she said it was not easy, but is certainly possible. I would start by contacting your local Le Leche League. They could let you know who to talk to. Most hospitals now have a lactation specialist who would also know who to contact. Good luck.

The poster above is totally right, they will be of great help to you.

My husband and his brother were both adopted at birth. I know for a fact my mother in law breastfed both boys. I know it took some time but her milk did come in. I know it takes allot of patience and putting the baby at the breast and dry feeding for weeks before your hormones kick in and the milk comes in. She shared with me how lucky she was that she was able to feed her boys that not all women can successfully do this. Good luck and I wish you happiness!!

LLL is always a great resource, but may I also suggest the kellymom.com website. It is an internationally recognized website providing breastfeeding and parenting information to professionals and parents. Kelly is a lactation consultant who stays up-to-date with the latest research on lactation, infant nutrition and infant development. She'll have some good leads on induced lactation (or relaction, if you nursed your first).

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/adopt/index.html

I believe la leche could help. I remember reading about an article somewhere on their website. If not, they will direct you in the right direction. YOu are wonderful person to try to breastfeed your new baby. Good luck to you!!!!

LLL and a Lactation Consultant would be the best resources to start with. A lot of women trying to induce lactation are put on progesterone (the hormone your body produces while you are pregnant, it helps prepare the breasts for milk production) Because of your blood clotting issues its probably unsafe for you to take progesterone, but since you already gave birth to a baby, your breasts may be ready anyway - they don't lose those special cells, just more are made with each preg. Pumping frequently and allowing the new baby to nurse from you on demand may help bring in the milk. You can use a nursing supplementor (the device that lets the baby drink expressed milk or formula while latched on to you) to feed the baby while waiting for your milk to come in. Your LC may recommend you get a prescription for a medication like reglan or domperidone to increase your prolactin levels (the hormone that tells your body to make milk) men have been known to lactate a little while taking these meds!!

I take it you breastfed your first child. If so it will be easier for your to re-lactate as opposed to inducing lactation. I am close friends with a woman who induced lactation. She had to supplement with donor breastmilk but here baby was exclusively on breastmilk for about 5 1/2 months. She was an inspiration and a great example of how you define your own success.

I think that it is wonderful that you are intrested in breastfeeding your future baby. It is possible for most women to breastfeed an adopted child. I work for the Central Louisiana Breastfeeding coalition. Our goal is to help moms to suceed in breastfeeding. We have lactation consultants that you can contact. Check us out on the web www.cenlabreastfeeding.org

Good luck,
K.

You will just need to start pumping a few months before the baby comes. I pumped for a friend who adopted a baby. She was only able to express a small amount so she used a supplementer with my milk. I pumped about 15 oz. a week for 7 1/2 months for her. I'm 6 months pregnant right now and woudl be willing to help you if you will be needing extra milk around May. June and on. I live in Murfreesboro.

Try contacting a lactation consultant, maybe one associated with a hospital. You could also contace La Leche League. Either or both might know an OB/gyn who would get you started on the hormones needed to start lactation.

Good luck, I applaud your goal!

hi T.,
did you nurse your son? if so you may not be completely dried up, you could pump several times a day to start your milk supply back up. you'll trick your body into thinking your nursing again. if that fails, i've seen these contraptions where you put the formula in a bag w/a tube attached and you "nurse" the baby like normal but you slip the tube in his mouth so he's nursing on you, smelling your scent, being held close at just the right angle to not get colic, but yet he's getting the formula. you're breast milk would be best, but at least this way you could bond w/him. good luck!
J. f.

Talk with your doctor about medications you can take to kick start your milk production again. This process can take 6-9months so since you are waiting for the process I would go ahead and start thinking about starting your part.

I think its wonderful to want to breastfeed an adopted baby. I believe a combo of dry nursing and pumping will work the best. I wouldn't take the hormones unless there was no other choice. I would do some internet research and get with a lactation specialist. Nursing is a beautiful thing between mother and child, good luck and God-bless

The book "breastfeeding book" by Martha Spears, RN was a great resource for me. Although I do not have adopted children, she does and there is a great section on nursing adopted children. hope this helps and is not redundant.

Hi T.,

From one military wife to another, thank you. It's not just the soldier/officer that makes the sacrifice.

In regards to your question, I have heard that there is a type or hormone that you can take to prepare your body for nursing. I'm not sure how long it takes to start working but you basically just start producing milk.

I would suggest talking to your OB/GYN, they should definitely have some suggestions for you.

Best of luck,

S.
The Pitter Patter Boutique
www.thepitterpatterboutique.com

I have a friend who had a suragote mother for her twins and the women still sends her own breastmilk (BM) for her children. You can actually buy BM on line. Not sure where to start, but I have heard.

As a retired midwife, I can tell you that your research into nursing an adopted baby would begin with your ob/gyn. If you are going to re-lactate, you will need hormone therapy to prepare your body. I don't know if your medical condition will allow this, so your physician can advise you. If you are able to use the hormone therapy, I know that you will find it VERY rewarding to nurse this new baby.
I wish you well.

I would talk to my OGBYN.

There are a few websites with lots of great advice on nursing an adopted baby. drjaygordon.com askdrsears.com and kellymom.com should have lots of great, dependable advice.

Best of Luck, L.

Yes. I am a retired nurse. It is possible. You will need to pump your breasts before you receive your baby and you may not have enough milk for a meal and have to supplement. But you do get that bonging that's so important. I'm sure you can search on the web and also contact a breast feeding group. Good luck!

First of all I thought that a hormone during birth produced breast milk. If you are still nursing your 2 yr old and still have milk you would be able to do that.
However, when I was breast feeding mine and having a little trouble with her latching, I read that you don't have to have the baby to breast feed. All you have to do is have the new baby suck vigerously a lot and then the breast milk will come. I don't know, I have never tried that but if you can and it works or you still have the milk from your first one, I would try breast feeding a new adopted baby. It may make you feel just as close to that one and more like your own, not to mention that it would be better for it. Go for it!

I had a biological daughter who was 6 yrs old when I adopted a little girl. Within a few days of bringing her home, my mild was in and I started to nurse her. I think it's a wonderful idea and know of a lot of women that do nurse their adopted child and think it's a great way to bond for all involved. Your milk may come in but you can always start like you did with your biological daughter and just help her know what the breast is and help her attach.

The turn side is my mom didn't think it was a good idea and after a lot of hounding and harrassment from her, I quit. She's a very controling woman who thinks she knows it all and even being an adult with my own family, she made it very difficult for me, as a single mom, so I decided to quit nursing our little girl. I wish I wouldn't have, but without the moral support of those around you, it can be hard. Some people will not understand and others will. Knowing what I know now, I would have continued to nurse her.....needless to say, I have put boundaries on my mom and my relationship which she doesn't like so I no longer have contact with her.

My case, I am sure, is extreme, but think you should nurse if that's what you would like to do.

i think it is wonderful to have a bond like that with another child like that. i have heard that mothers who adopt can nurse just as if it was there own. both my children where nursed and i love the bond that i shared with them. i heared that all you have to do is go to a dr. that will help you with trying to lactate to be able to nurse. well good luck and i hope everything works out. please write me back and let me know how everything worked out.

T.,
I have not personally nursed an adopted baby, but I have helped other moms to do so.
Hormonal treatments are really not necessary and may be harmful.
Induced Lactation is different for every woman, but some mothers can build a complete supply within weeks.
The best place to start is to spend lots of time skin to skin and offer the breast frequently.
Some mothers also find it helpful to purchase a breast pump and start on a pumping regimine to help build supply quickly. It really depends on your overall goals.
I would be happy to discuss this with you more if you would like to e-mail me off list or call me.
L. G, IBCLC
____@____.com
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Contact La Leche League - they have resources for adoptive lactation. Good luck!!!