[luvingmomma]

Hi

We are going to be adopting a newborn in June 07. I was wanting to breastfeed the baby. I am wondering what type of medications and or herbs I should be taking? Also is pumping necessary in order to produce milk? How have others felt about you breastfeeding an adopted baby? I assume that it would be best to consult my ob/gyn about ll the prepartions that are going to be needed. I am very curious as I know that breastfeeding an adopted baby is very doable.

I would appreciate any info/advice

Thankyou

[mom2GRLC]

It is definately do-able and it's nice that you have time to prepare.

I would look into the Newman-Goldfarb Protocal.
Basically you begin taking a BCP called Yasmin along with some medicine called Motillum for as long as possible, before the baby is here. The longer your on it the more milk making tissue you are building.

Then a couple weeks before the baby is due you stop the yasmin, continue the Motillum and start taking fenugreek and blessed thistle herbs and start pumping for about 5-10 minutes as often as possible through out the day(preffereably every hour if your really wanting to build a milk supply before the baby comes) and at least twice at night. Along with drinking lots of water, eating some oatmeal each day and just allowing your body and mind to relax and think about the soon to be baby you'll be nursing.

Then when the baby arives you will most likely need to use a nursing supplementer (lact-aid or Medela SNS) which is basically a little bottle/pouch that contains either formula or breastmilk(either donated to you, purchased from a milk bank or pumped and saved by you before the baby arrived) while you nurse the baby.

Sucking(or pumping) for short durations MORE frequently will stimulate your milk supply to come in more. Rather than long sessions of sucking/pumping less frequently.

As your milk supply increases the baby will naturally take less from the supplemental nurser becasue she/he willbe filling up on your milk instead and you may provide enough milk that you can just do away with the supplementer early on...but for most I'd say it is necessary until the child starts to eat babyfood/baby cereal. For some they have to use the nurser for the entire length of time they are nursing.

It's best to stay away from using supplemental bottles, and even pacifiers...especially when your building you milk supply...if baby wants to suck put her to your breast instead of puttign a pacifier in her mouth...it will also help with nipple confusion.

Breastmilk is best (when possible) even in small quantities you'll stillbe providing your baby with everything....a mother who had just given birth can offer....(other than the initial colostrum that comes the first couple days for mothers who just gave birth). Otherwise the milk is exactly as beneficial to the child..you don't need a pregnancy to make it equally as good.

But beyond that the bonding that comes form the experience is soooo important for both you and the baby.

If for some reason you run into problems and can't nurse for one reason or another or aren't able to make a full supply of milk don't worry, your baby will still benefit from ANY amount you make....or just the close physical contact with you.

Congradulations on your new baby and good luck with nursing...YOU CAN DO IT!!!

for more info...you can just type in your search engine...ADOPTIVE BREASTFEEDING or NEWMAN GOLDFARB and you'll come up with a TON of info. That's what i did. You can also contact a La Leche League by your home or even attend breastfeeding meetings at your local department of Health/WIC office.

I would recommend setting up an appointment with your doctor ASAP to just check your overall health and to get a perscription for the Motillum(there are webistes you can buy it from that do not require a perscription). Soem doctors aren't very familair with adoptive breastfeeding and when you look up the Newman goldfarb protocal it has a thing that you can pring out that you brign to your doctor that explains what the protocal is ...I'd bring it with you so you can give it to the doctor so they can understand what it is your trying to do.

As far as other people....Most are very excited for you...and some are curious how it works...others certianly have their opinions and you just have to set them aside and let them have a right to their opinion...even if it's family members..stay strong there is nothing unnatural or wrong about wanting to breastfeed your adoptive child.

If there is anythign else i can do to help please let me know. Sorry I wrote you a book...but I hope it's helpful.