[ange75]

I'm still in the homestudy part of my adoption process but have been trying to read up on breastfeeding the adopted baby and am really interested. My question is...

How do others react to the fact that you are breastfeeding an adopted baby?

I've heard it can be really expensive - althought it seems like you need only a few things.

What are the birthmothers thoughts on you breastfeeding and how does that work at the hosipital??

[lisa in venice]

Some people are probably weirded out by adoptive breastfeeding but you have to remember that we live in a culture where many people are weirded out by any kind of breastfeeding. i have for the most part only gotten good responses. Most people think it is cool. Of course I live in a fairly nutty crunchy area on the "left coast" .

As for expense it probaby ends up being a little more expensive than FFing especiaqlly if you use both domperidone and herbs. I figure what I spent on those things the first gew months I more than made up for in fewer Dr's visits. I have 4 kids and only the last two were BFed, those two were the only ones who only saw the Dr for well baby checks. When my ds (first child I nursed had an accident at 4 years old we were asked how he tolerated antibiotics. my dh and I looked at each other and realized that this kid had never had them. That certainly wasn't true of the older two.

While booth of my children's birthmoms were perfectly ok with me nursing I know that some birthmoms are adamantly against it. It was something I discussed before hand and I only had one expectant mom get upset over it. My dh and I feel strongly about nursing as part of how we parent so we found a different situation (there were other reasons as well).

With Miranda I didn't make it to the hospital i n time so the tentative hospital plan we had didn't matter but Inorder to breastfeed in the hospital they required me to be HIV and Hepititus negative. With Sam the hospital was totally cool and required only the birth mom's consent for me to not only nurse but to be the one asked about medical issues while we were in the hospital. I roomed in with her for the three days that she and Sam were in the hospital. That plan was worked out between my attorney, the hospital SW and the nusiing staff. Everyone knew what was up and so they were nothing but helpful.

lisa

[csw]

Hi

I spent around $1,000 to make breast milk and have all the necessary "accessories".....though most certainly do not spend that much! I did the pumping/herbs route first..no luck..then did the domperidone/pumping route...not much luck..then did the NG protocol 2x..first for 4 months on meds, then 2nd time for 7 months on meds and 4 months of pumping..then another year of pumping off and on with domperidone..then the expense of lact-aids (six), one SNS, nursing clothes, shirts , bra's.etc...even used..it all added up! I think I was on domperidone for like 2 years!

There are ways to spend less money,,certainly..most do not do the protocol 2x (we had a failed domestic then went international again) and you could rent a pump and see how it goes..I spent around $300 for my pump...I found the Avent Isis hand pumped actually worked better for me..though a double hospital grade pump is what is recommended..

If you have any questions feel free to PM me also...good luck..