Breastfeeding Your Adoptive Baby Is Possible

It is certainly not beyond the realms of the possible for an adoptive mother to nurse her new baby. Though breastfeeding is normally considered only the province of the biological mother, there are methods that will permit the committed adoptive mother and her new baby the experience of breastfeeding.

The first considerations should be the ones that common to every mother considering breastfeeding her baby.
Is breastfeeding your child right for you? Will your schedule allow time for it? Is your employer supportive of breastfeeding? Is your family supportive of breastfeeding?

Also, for the non-lactating adoptive mother there is the extra consideration of the commitment required to induce lactation.

If your lifestyle permits, and you feel that nursing is for you, then it is a wonderful option for not only bonding with your newborn, but also giving them all the benefits of breastfeeding that every child nursed at his mother’s breast enjoys.

After those questions are given thoughtful consideration, and if you arrive at the decision that breastfeeding your baby is what you want, you should consult a lactation specialist.

Your specialist will help guide you further, and advise you as to methods are available to prepare your breasts to begin producing milk, as well as helping guide you to find the one that may be right for you.

Generally though there are a couple of main methods of helping you to produce breast milk for your baby.

The first option, and usually considered the best, is to use a breast pump to prepare your breasts to produce milk. It is possible and has been done by other adoptive mothers wishing to breastfeed their babies. The more dedicated you are able to be, the better the results seem to be. A hospital grade breast pump is usually recommended with this method, as well as regularly scheduled pumping.

The second method entails hormonal or prescription drug treatments that may help your breasts to begin producing milk. However, hormone treatments and drugs can carry risks, and should only be considered for use under the guidance of your physician.

Whatever your choice is in methods, it is very important for you to understand you may never be able to produce 100% of the breast milk supply your baby requires. A supplemental nursing system may be necessary. It will however, allow you and your new baby to enjoy both the emotional and physical benefits of breastfeeding.

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