Breastfeeding an adopted child? He will be 9 days old when he comes home?

Question

I've lactated as recently as a year ago, does anyone know if this is possible, to breastfeed a child when it's been a year since you last fed?

I've heard this is possible, and if so it would be so wonderful, as I believe strongly in the benefit of breastfeeding.

Any advice welcome, please?

Answer 1

why would you want to breast feed a child that is not your own flesh and blood its like taking a child from a parent who is breast feeding and you doing it for them sorry but my personal thought is yuck i wouldn't be able to do it sorry but that is just me

Vicky

Answer 2

Yes you can certainly breastfeed an adopted child.

Just get a script from your doctor who will give you something like Eglanol to enhance or get your breastmilk going.

You will also need to express - so get yourself a breast pump and pump regularly to stimulate the breastmilk.

It is a very loving thing to do and breastmilk is bestmilk!!

Answer 3

I breastfed my adoptive baby with no shots, or hormones or anything & it had been a year since I weaned my last one. Use a SNS from Medela & contact La Leche League. Some women use a breast pump before their baby arrives & find that helps- you can do it!

Answer 4

I guess Vicky never heard of a wet nurse.  A lot of Wealthy women in the old days couldn’t be bothered to breast feet their own babies. So they used wet nurses, typical this was a slave, who had also recently had a baby.  

Congrats breastfeeding will really bond you and your new baby , my aunt did it with her adopted son. Never had enough to sustain him on it alone but it was a bonding experience nonetheless.

Answer 5

Yes, you can. Since it was as only a year ago you can easily do this. Begin by getting a beast pump and speaking with your OB about Pitocin nose spray.. within 5-10 minutes after using it you will notice your b*****s full that coupled with the breast pump you should be good to go.. do this now before you get him so you are fully lactating when he arrives and not struggling with this as well.

Answer 6

It is possible.  Talk to your OB about the process.  I believe it involves hormone treatments.

Answer 7

Put the baby to the breast often, he/she will have to learn too as he/she would have been bottle fed for the first days of his/her life. The hormones released as he/she suckles and from the emotions and stimulation will help your milk flow. I have heard of sacks of milk formula that can be worn on the shoulder so that you never have to give supplementary bottles. Good luck, I think what you're doing is wonderful!

Answer 8

See your doctor right away.  Since you have been lactacting in the past year it won't be as hard for you to start again, but they do have a course of medication to put you on which will get your body ready for the process right away.  Usually, adoptive mothers that wish to breastfeed start  their preparations 2-3 months in advance so get to that doctor right away!

Good for you, adopting a child and breastfeeding, you're going to be a great mom!

Answer 9

i think u can but im not 100 % sure so ask ur doctor ans congrulations on ur new baby and God bless

Answer 10

Its totally possible. I watched a program on this on the Discovery Channel. You just need to ask you Doc and they will provide you with a hormone that will make it hapen..Id get going! :) And congrats!

Answer 11

Yes, it is possible. Often adoptive mothers don't produce enough milk to exclusively breastfeed, so you may need to suppliment with formula as well. You will probably have more success since you recently have produced breast milk.

Here is a great link, the site was created by several women who've been able to breastfeed their children that they adopted.

http://www.fourfriends.com/abrw/

Good luck!

Answer 12

Yes, you can.

Congrats on the arrival of your baby :)

Answer 13

As soon as a baby is in sight, contact a specialized lactation clinic and start getting your milk supply ready. Please understand, you may never produce a full supply for your baby, though it may happen. You should not be discouraged by what you may be pumping before the baby is born, because a pump is never as good at extracting milk as a baby who is sucking well and well latched. The main purpose of pumping before the baby is born is to start the changes in your breast so that you will produce milk, not to build up a reserve of milk before the baby is born, though this is good if you can do it.

If you know far enough in advance, say 6 or 7 months, treatment with a combination of oestrogen and progesterone (as in the birth control pill, but without a break) plus domperidone will simulate pregnancy somewhat, and may allow you to produce more milk. Get information about this protocol from the clinic.

a. Pumping. If you can manage it, rent an electric pump with a double setup. Pumping both b*****s at the same time takes half the time, obviously, but also results in better milk production. Start pumping as soon as the baby is in sight, even if this means you will be pumping for 4 months. You do not have to pump frequently on a schedule. Do what is possible. If twice a day is possible at first, do it twice a day. If once a day during the week, but 6 times during the weekend can be done, fine. Partners can help with nipple stimulation as well.

b. Domperidone. (Handout #19 Domperidone). This drug can help you produce more milk. It is not necessary for you to use in order to breastfeed an adopted baby, but it will help you develop a more abundant milk supply faster. There is no such thing as a 100% safe drug. If you do decide to take it, the dose is 20 mg four times a day. Check the handout for more information. Ask at the clinic. Using pumping and domperidone, most adopting mothers have started to produce drops of milk after two to four weeks.