[SchmennaLeigh]

I need some serious advice.

I've been doing my research on breastfeeding vs. bottle-feeding. At this point, it is medically unknown if I will be able to breastfeed due to medication I may have to be put on post-delivery for my kidney. But my questions aren't there as that is not something I can control.

My question really lies in regards to adoption.

I did not breastfeed Munchkin. On top of that my milk never came in. I had some extra soreness about two days after labor, and had been leaking colostrum for weeks before hand, but I never had my milk come in. No leaks. Nothing. It was just never there.

Was this directly related to the adoption, a random fluke that may or may not occur this time, or does it mean something is wrong with my breastfeeding ability? Does kidney function have anything to do with milk production?

I ask these questions here because I'm afraid to ask them in any other pregnancy community. I've been shunned a lot. *shrugs* So, anyone who parented and breastfed a baby post-placement, please help a really, really overwhelmed Mom out.

[waitinginnj]

I don't know the answers to your questions, but the authority on breastfeeding is La Leche League International. If your local contact doesn't know the answers, I am sure that they will work with you to try to find them. I think that their national headquarters is in IL. But, I am sure you can find them on the web.

Good Luck.

[Volfe]

Jenna, I"m at work so I'll add more later, but with my son who I placed, my milk didn't really come in, I got the shot, was sore a few days, no real biggie...

I breastfed the other 3 (incl Gracie for my few days with her).
Really, if you can nurse after birth do it... the suction will stimulate milk production. If baby doesn't latch on at first or for whatever reason... pump! I hate the pump but sometimes ya gotta.

[tobeafamily]

Jenna,

Are you diganosed with Nephritis? If so, then NIH does not recommend you breast feed:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/002450.htm

You might want to check with your nephrologist, as I'm not able to uncover why it's not recommended.

HTH

Regina

[mroot]

Jenna - I am definitely not an expert as I am an adoptive mom who considered the possibility of nursing my son, but we were matched with only 5 weeks to go, and I wouldn't have been able to ready myself. I don't think that because your milk didn't come in with your first that it won't this time. I would just wait and see! I agree with the other poster that you should contact La Leche League. They are a wealth of info!! If you can't nurse, you can always do what I did. In the early days, would take off my shirt and hold him close to my skin and feed him the bottle that way! The skin to skin contact is very bonding!!! Good luck to you!!!

[numbr1dbcksfan]

I didnt breast feed. but this seemed appropriate!

[coco46]

Christine,

That's the BEST!

Jenna,

I don't think your situation when Munchkin was born was related to adoption. I was like Bessy the Cow (excuse the visual) when I had K, though no bfeeding took place.

I'd question your doctor about it. I know that bfeeding moms need to be well hydrated, and it could be that because of your medical history, you just need some extra attention and help with this? The hospital also has lactation consultants on staff, normally, so you might want to call them for advice.

I wish I had more to share. Just keep in mind that each baby and each pregnancy is a bit different (hello cliche, but I can't help myself), so it could end up being a non-issue for you!

[MMC66]

I really hope I don't piss anyone off here but here it goes.

I would definitely hook up with a lactation consultant at the hospital where you plan to deliver and get the "all clear" from your doctors. Also find a pediatrician who supports breastfeeding, they can be excellent resources as well.

However, I would be very careful with utilizing the La leche League. Some of their information is very good and they have helped many women succesfully breastfeed but they tend to be rather militant in their approach and some of their info is not based in the clinical realities. I learned this the hard way with my twins and was quite gung ho La Leche League prior to that with my first two kids.

PM me if you want to chat and I'll give you my e-mail.

Best of Luck,

Martha

[numbr1dbcksfan]

You can try breastfeeding.com..

[SchmennaLeigh]

LLL doesn't have an active chapter in the middle of nowheresville, Ohio. Columbus has one, but with our schedules, I don't know if I can make the trip. Sigh.

Spitz, thank you for that link. I now need to discuss with my OBGYN and my nephrologist whether or not breastfeeding is recommended in my condition. Also, with the reading I've done today and how a mother needs to be well-hydrated to breastfeed ... and I'm put on fluid restriction when my kidney goes bonkers... oh, I'm just so frustrated.

I just wanted to do something right.

[tlc4kidz]

Jenna.....As a mother/baby nurse and lactation consultant (although my LC certification lapsed), I can tell you that breastfeeding, while a great thing, doesn't make you a "good" mom. You will do SO many things right, and please don't let feeding be the thing that defines your parenting.

I did breastfeed with my 2 birthchildren, but not my adopted children, and I have to say, bottle feeeding has it's advantages. Heck, my mom said I was fed some crazy sweetened condensed milk concoction for the first couple months (which I guess was common 40 years ago) and I'm brilliant .

The other option is to look into the benefits of colostrum (which are huge) and plan on breastfeeding for the first few days, then see how it goes and what your Dr. recommends. I can tell you are a FABULOUS mommy already, or you wouldn't be struggling!

[tobeafamily]

Jenna - I agree with Dana. My mother was not able to breastfeed any of us due to inverted nipples. We are all healthy, reasonably well-adjusted adults with advanced degrees and such.

I did not breastfeed my son, did not even attempt it as the immunity benefit only goes from biological mother to child. His bema at first wanted to breast feed and I supported that 100% then she decided not to. I swear, you cannot tell even one bit which child was breastfed and which bottlefed in his school. They're all happy, healthy kids.

Dana - we got the crazy condensed milk stuff too, formula was definitely not as 'high tech' as it is these days!

Regina

[79nic]

With Marie, I did not breastfeed, leaked colostrum, got sore for a few days, but the milk never really came in.

With Elise, I breastfed (starting immediately after birth), and we did just fine with it.

[SchmennaLeigh]

Thanks for everything, guys. I'm just feeling very overwhelmed and sort of defeated before I even get there. I'm sure some of this is attributed to emotions and hormones. But I just want to do things "right," this time around, ya know?

I know, I know; I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself. But I work best under pressure. Heh.

[coco46]

((((((Jenna))))))

You're doing EVERYTHING right.