If you adopt a newborn?

Question

if you adopt a new born and already have a one year old that has not stopped breastfeeding can you nurse the newborn?..interfamily adoption...i have a relitive that is unable to care for her newborn and wishes me to take care of the baby for several years ...for the heath of the child i would like to nurse the baby does anyone know how this would work out????

Answer 1

It shouldn’t be a problem , as long as a mother is nursing she will produce milk. So when ever your older child stops or cuts back, you should still be able to nurse this baby.

Your situation  doesn’t seem like an adoption if your planning to give the baby back to its mother in a few years when she’s on her feet. Your more becoming the baby’s guardian

Answer 2

Breastmilk is wonderful.  Formula is wonderful.  Love is the most important thing.  But, yes; you could breastfeed.  Haven't you ever heard of wet nurses?

Answer 3

Yes, of course, you can nurse this little babe.  Bravo to you!!  I think that you are just an awesome woman to provide this baby with the best nutrition available.  Do not worry about the colostrum.  Millions of children who are never nursed survive without it.

I also think that you are an incredible person for providing interim care for your relative's child.  Many families are doing that now to avoid losing contact with family members.

Answer 4

there is no question that you can nurse the newborn! How wonderful for the baby! I don't know if you're going to have an issue trying to re=establish your milk supply but it seems to me that if you are still actively nursing, you should be able to jsut have the new baby nurse and as he nurses more and more often, your milk supply should increase. YOu may certainly find it difficult for yourself (physically) to keep up with two nursing babies but, it can certainly be done. Be sure you drink plenty of water and eat well. Good luck!

Answer 5

I think that breast feeding is the best, however, your body chemistry may have changed, and you may not be producing those crucial elements for a newborn, so check with your pediatrician first. Maybe you can bottle feed with formula and only breast feed occasionally. Afterall, you want the best for the baby.

Answer 6

I believe that you can successfully breastfeed this infant.

You need lots of support from your family, pediatrician and support network of friends and other breastfeeding moms.

But I'm more concerned with the suggestion that you take the child for several years........hey it's not a library book.  Are you willing to give a child that you raised, nurtured, even breastfed back to a woman who wanted to loan the baby out for her convenience?  Think again.  

If you raise this child alongside your own you will undoubtedly develop a very maternal and parental relationship also your own child will bond with this child as a sibling.  What about your husband and the rest of the immediate family?  How would you explain that you were only "Babysitting" for a few years?

Make sure that if you agree to take on this infant, you get legal counsel first.  Because I'd suspect that if the mother gets her act together several years down the road, she may want to come collect her child back.

Good luck.

P.S. Good for you still breastfeeding your one year old! Very good!

Answer 7

Almost every woman, pregnant, nursing or not can produce breastmilk. It takes nipple stimulation. If the baby will latch on you will more than likely be able to "wet nurse". Kudos to you!

Answer 8

Absolutely!  I am an adoptive mother who researched lactation induction.  It wasn't for me but I have a dear friend who did it and is nursing her adoptive daughter.

Answer 9

Personally, I don't think I would be able to pull that one off, but it seems you really care about this child to do this...I think that's great! The only problem I could fore-see, is if the baby has not been introduced to breast-feeding right away it may reject you. The baby may not know the difference either, but you and the other mother will. I think if she's ok with you breast-feeding and the baby will take, try it out. Also since your 1 year old has not stopped he/she may become jelous. My daughter was only breast fed her first week, but when she was a year old i had my son and was breast feeding and she became a little jelous of the new baby getting to be so close to mommy all the time....good luck and only you and the other mother can deside what's best.

Answer 10

Trust me you don't want to do that, they're growing teeth by the time they reach one, one year of breast feeding is good enough

Answer 11

Yes,you can nurse the newborn.In the old days,Rich folk would hire new mothers as wetnurses for their children.

You should start your 1year old on a cup as soon as possible and milk your b*****s out untill your new arrival is due to keep the milk flowing.

Ask your relative if you can be at the birth and put baby on the breast as soon as possible.

Answer 12

Good question but Im not sure. You can always try and see if he/she will take it. If he/she does then your good to go!! Good luck with that!!

Im wondering about this and I'm ready to see what other responses you get!!

Answer 13

Yes you can breastfeed the baby you are adopting.  Some women have actually tried to start lactation before adopting a baby just so they can experience breastfeeding, and pass on the nutritents that breastfeeding provides.

You just feed the new baby on a newborn schedule (on demand usually) as well as tandem nurse with your one yer old. Your supply should start to grow because of feeding two babies.  IF you feel your supply is too low, try Mother's Milk Tea that you can get from GNC or some pharmacies.  If you feel like you still have more questions contact your local LaLecheLeague and I am sure they could help you!

Good luck and it's a great thing you are doing!