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Online Guide to Breastfeeding
"Breastfeeding your Adopted Baby"
By Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC
You are about to adopt a baby and you want to breastfeed him? Wonderful! It is not only possible, it is fairly easy
and the chances are you will produce a significant amount of milk. It is not complicated, but it is different than
breastfeeding a baby with whom you have been pregnant for 9 months.1
Breastfeeding and Breastmilk
There are really two objectives involved in nursing an adopted baby. One is getting your baby to breastfeed. The
other is producing breastmilk. It is important to set your expectations at a reasonable level. Since there is more to
breastfeeding than breastmilk, many mothers are happy to be able to breastfeed without expecting to produce all
the milk the baby will need. It is the special relationship, the special closeness, the biological attachment of
breastfeeding that many mothers are looking for. As one adopting mother said, "I want to breastfeed. If the baby
also gets breastmilk, that's great."
Getting the baby to take the breast
Although many people do not believe that the early introduction of bottles may interfere with breastfeeding, the
early introduction of artificial nipples can indeed interfere. The sooner you can get the baby to the breast after he is
born, the better. However, babies need flow from the breast in order to stay latched on and continue sucking,
especially if they have gotten used to getting flow from a bottle or another method of feeding (cup, finger feeding).
So, what can you do?
- Speak with the staff at the hospital where the baby will be born and let the head nurse and lactation
consultant know you plan to breastfeed the baby. They should be willing to accommodate your desire to
have the baby fed by cup or finger feeding, if you cannot have the baby to feed immediately after his birth. In
fact, more and more frequently, arrangements have been made where the adopting mother is present at the
birth of the baby and takes the baby immediately to nurse. The earlier you start, the better.
- Some biological mothers are willing to nurse the baby for the first few days. There is some concern
expressed amongst social workers and others that this will result in the biological mothers' changing her
mind. This is possible, and you may not wish to take that risk. However, this has been done, and it allows
the baby to breastfeed, get colostrum, and not receive artificial feedings at first.
- Latching on well is just as important, even more important, when the mother does not have a full milk supply,
as when she does. A good latch means painless feedings. A good latch means the baby will get more of your
milk, whether your milk supply is abundant or minimal.
- If the baby does need to be supplemented, this should be done with a lactation aid with the supplement
being given while the baby is breastfeeding (Handout #5 Using a Lactation Aid). Babies learn to
breastfeed by breastfeeding, not cup feeding or finger feeding or bottle feeding. Of course, you can use your
previously expressed milk to supplement.
- If you are having trouble getting the baby to take the breast, call your doctor or lactation consultant.
Producing Breastmilk
As soon as a baby is in sight, 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.
- Pumping. If you can manage it, rent an electric pump with a double setup. Pumping both breasts 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 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.
- Domperidone. (see 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 here 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.
But will I produce all the milk the baby needs? Maybe, but don't count on it. Some breastmilk is better than none. But if you do not, breastfeed your baby, and
allow you and him to enjoy the special relationship that it brings.
1Read "Supplementing the Breastfeeding Baby", from La Leche League International.
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Reprinted with permission. The information contained on these pages is provided as a courtesy to My ParenTime's visitors. My ParenTime makes no representations or guarantees concerning the effectiveness of such information. In no event shall My ParenTime be held liable for any failure of such safety information. My ParenTime urges Parents to become more informed on Breastfeeding Information.
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