[Satori]

My bio child is still nursing and has no interest in weaning anytime soon so I already have a very well established milk supply but I'm at the beginning of my journey and plan to go the foster/adopt route. The agency I will be working with assures me that I will probably only receive infants that will probably be going up for adoption but taking in a child is not even possible till at least Jan due to current life demands.

My questions are:

Can you BF a foster child? (or use pumped milk?)
If not, at what point would you know about the adoption and could start BF? (yes I know, ask the SW)


Will I get a full supply?

Should I start pumping now? Its very important to me that I not use formula unless necessary and I'd much rather use frozen breast milk then none at all.

[lisa in venice]

I depends on the state or county you are in and the SW you have. SOme are completely freaked out by adoptive breastfeeding and others are aware of it's benefits especially in promoting a healthy bond and calming drug impacted babies. I would just start asking people in the agency you are going thru. Don't just take no for an answer find out if it is really a written policy, see what the objections are. I got a no from the hospital where my baby was delievered. I asked what the issue was and it turned out that they were concerned about disease tranmission. I agreed toa hepititisis and HIV screeening and they were then ok with it.

Now this was straight adoption not foster/adopt where folks tend to be more cooperative but I have met several women on the net who have been able to nurse thier foster babies with great success.

As for whether you should pump I think it depends on how frequently your nursling is nursing. If it is just comfort nursing a couple of times a day you will need to pump but if you are nursing 6 more more times I would think you would be ok. You will build supply much faster with a nursing baby especially if you tandem nurse that you will with a pump anyway. Good luck.

lisa

[csw]

Hi
Check out the ABRW website..there is a section on foster breastfeeding...I agree with Lisa..it depends on your state...alot of folks are being very active lately to change the laws and make foster breastfeeding possible..its the whole exchange of body fluids thing that seems to be an issue if the child is not legally yours yet..obviously you are already tested for communicable diseases with adoption...but I would also not nurse a foster baby unless I had negative results for the baby also.. there are certainly mixed reports about disease transmission in breast milk..some say it doesnt happen, some say it can..I think it is a great idea, esp if the baby has had multiple caregivers and it would certainly help with the bonding and health status of the baby! Good luck!