Whats wrong with breastfeeding an adopted child?

Question

Recently there was a question posted that said they found it disturbing that people want to breastfeed their adopted children, and many people agreed.

Considering breastfeeding is very healthy for infants and provides many emotional as well as physical benefits, and now that we have the ability to do it without going through pregnancy.... what is wrong with it?

I probably wouldn't do it myself, but I don't see the harm in it if a biological mother wants to do through the work of doing so.

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

What's wrong with it?

Um...it's creepy?

Answer 2

Even some breastfeeding mothers have hang ups on what they feel is appropriate. Personally, I think it is a wonderful thing to do.

I remember I asked a question a while back about choosing a formula for my foster child placed in an emergency. I had never used formual for foster children in the past because they had all come to me from breastfed homes and I was lactating at the time, so I fed them my milk. I got some praise, I got some people giving answers in disgust.

People also forget that until the invention of formual, wetnursing was a common practice. Today still, there are wet nurses for hospitals and clinics for mothers who have adopted or cannot feed from their own b*****s.

I guess some people cant get past some things they may find gross, but its none of their business. I respect anyone's choice to breast or bottle feed. As long as you care for a child properly, we cant judge.

Answer 3

it is not naturall at all since you need to take tons of hormones to be able to do it.

Answer 4

I dont think there is anything wrong with it. In fact I think it is very natural and beautiful. When you adopt a child the child is your own and wouldnt you do that for your own. b*****s were made for feeding your small children so why not use them for just that! It also helps the mother to be able to get a closer bond with the child since she didnt get to start that bond in utero like the biological mother did.

Answer 5

Its a desire to bond with their baby an adoptive mother tries to breast feed. The feeling you have not lost out on any single aspect of motherhood after the birth that makes a adoptive mother take steps to breast feed. It is possible with some natural therapy (mothers thistle and certain foods )and lot of breast pumping ,patience and desire (to give everything to her child) for a woman that has not given birth to succeed in breast feeding her baby.

http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/tip...

People are too shallow, narrow minded and probably filthy in their head if they think its for any other purpose.

Such adoptive mothers should be respected and appreciated for her effort. Can't expect every one to understand but have the decency of not being judgemental of an adoptive  mothers feelings to bond with her baby.

To the person below me-

People who think this will have a psycological effect are thinking like a *&%$# adult. This is a new born you psyco.....explain how this will effect a new born. And i repeat you don't need hormones. Without proper reserach don't &%$#@ assume and belittle adoptive mothers for their effort.

Answer 6

sounds a little strange to me but if you have the milk i say go for it

Answer 7

Go for it. Another great way to bond. Breastfed kids have fewer infections and better immune system.

Answer 8

there is nothing wrong with it.

Answer 9

Hi Rainia,

I'm a little confused.  "If a biological mother wants to do through the work of doing so."  I'm assuming here you mean the First Mother breastfeeding, i would completely support this.

However if you mean the adopted mother breastfeeding, I'm not for that.  I know breast milk is better and all but i still find it disturbing.  It is almost like trying too hard to "replace" the child's mother.  Sorry not a fan.

ETA:  Alyssa's mom you make a good point with wet nurses.  Personally tho, the thought of someone else breastfeeding my baby that I gave birth to doesn't sit well with me.  I wonder how First Moms feel about this issue?

Answer 10

Babies are meant to be breastfed. Back before we had formula we had wet nurses who would feed other women's babies. So why would it be wrong to feed your adopted baby?

And to the above person, no, you don't have to take "tons" of hormones. You can work with a lactation consultant and a breast pump and start your flow within 60 days without tons of drugs.

Answer 11

Western society has a lot of taboos about breastfeeding. We generally only breast feed for a short time, whereas other countries breastfeed up to 4 and 5 years old. Also, many other countries use wetnurses.

There was an article not long ago about a chinese female police officer breast feeding orphaned babies that were starving after a natural disaster. Was that wrong too? It is a very interesting discussion.

Answer 12

I'm for breastfeeding but not for anyone thats taking any kind of drugs to do it. I think women with breast implants shouldn't breast feed either because they all leak.

Answer 13

i don't see anything wrong with it at all.that is the persons child even if they did not sqeeze it out.

my mom got very sick her last pregnany i was pregnant the same time as her and we were so very broke i almost breast fed my little sister only using the pump..wich i do with my own children also..it might be a little wierd but it is natural and there is nothing wrong with it at all people are so opinionated and rude

Answer 14

Ever asked the adopted kids?

I tell you, the thought that one of those women woulod breastfeed me is beyond disgusting.

The health benefits are wonderful. I am a great

BF advocate and a member of

La Leche.

However, BF an adopted child is just nasty.

Think of the kids. It would just be wrong.

I'll ask again, why don't you ask the adopted kids?

There are very few that would be okay with it, most of us hate the thought. So as much as it would pain me, I'd always give formula to a child that I adopted.

Answer 15

There is absolutely nothing wrong with feeding an adopted child.  The world has a LONG history of wet-nurses feeding other women's children.  It can be done without taking hormones, and breast milk, from ANY source is far better for children than animal milk.   It's just as ridiculous to suggest that human babies do better on cow's milk as it is to suggest that dolphin babies ought to be given cat's milk.

Only actual breastfeeding will keep up a mother's production, though, simply pumping won't do it, and frankly, b*****s produce milk based on the composition of the infant's saliva, so the idea of just pumping for baby doesn't fly.  The only way to tailor that milk is to actually feed the infant.

Pumped and donated milk is a distant second to fresh made milk, and formula should be a last resort only option, for mothers who simply cannot make milk for their children.

Answer 16

When you get into the whole breastfeeding topic that in itself becomes controversial and toss in the adoption factor..hey now.

I'm pro-breastfeeding.  I think it's one of the most natural and beautiful things that bonded my daughter & I.  Like others have mentioned wet nursing is still a common practice (not so much in Westernized countries) and has been for who knows how long.  In fact there are places that request breastmilk for other children.

I don't think it's the breastmilk that is the issue...I think what weirds people out is having a child that you did not bear suckling at you.  I know how great of a bond a mother/child can have with something that our b***s were made for...

I'm not gonna lie tho- it does weird me out a bit.  If the AP wanted to lactate & pump milk for that child then I can see that she wants to give that child breastmilk...but ultimately if that's the path she takes to & try and bond...I can't be one to judge her either.  It's not for me but I'm not mad at ya either if you decide to.

Answer 17

I don't personally think anything is wrong with it.  I'm for it!  There is nothing better for a baby than breast milk.  It's awesome that adoptive mothers can now do this.  And bravo to them for the committment it takes!

Answer 18

Nothing is wrong with it at all. Why dont adopted babies deserve the best nutrition and bonding from their mum? Birth mother or not its a child's right to have the best start in life and the fact that a woman can produce milk without first being pregnant is amazing.

Answer 19

Anyone who is taking hormones so that they can lactate isn't thinking of how the hormones will effect the baby.

Would you want someone taking hormones to induce milk and then giving it to you? Would you like to breast feed from a strangers breast, with milk that WASN'T designed for your body/

only a natural mothers body knows and creates the milk that is perfect for the newborn. Taking hormones and trying to pass anything else off is disgusting if you ask me.

Wet nurses didn't take hormones. And they weren't the only ones doing it to the child. The motives and intentions behind AP's breast feeding are also key. Are they doing it to benefit the child ( do they already have breast milk? ) or are they doing it to try and bond and not caring about how it will effect the baby.

Babies who lose their mothers are traumatized enough already, i wouldn't want a strangers boob with hormones stuck in my mouth to quiet me up.