[kamika]

Hi, I was (pleasantly?) surprised when I came upon the website and saw the section on breastfeeding. We plan to adopt a newborn early next year. I am 29 years old and had a total abdominal hysterectomy 2 years ago. Hence I'm experiencing menopause and all its glory and I'm on the patch for the hormones.

Now who is a candidate for breastfeeding? How is milk produced? Is it as healthy as someone who gives birth?

I would really appreciate answers to my questions and of course any other information thought to be pertinent.

Thanks!

[nurse_reedle]

Welcome!

Everyone is a candidate! Milk is produced from the stimulation of the mammary glands. Medications are out there to help (Domperidone has very low rate of side effects that are very minor) and herbs. The milk produced from induction is the same as milk produced when a baby is about 10 days old. In other words...we just don't produce colostrum.

I breastfed our son who is 3.5 years old and plan to breastfeed our new baby also. If you have more questions, please ask away!

[CeltiaSkye]

Prolactin is the hormone that stimulates lactation, and it is produced in the pituitary gland (located in your brain). So you don't need to have your ovaries to produce milk. In fact there have even been cases where a man has had high levels of prolactin (due to a pituitary tumor for example) and has begun producing milk.

[KyliesMommy]

Celtia...I pm'd you something......

Thanks.

[rd200]

HI, i posted a question like this a few weeks ago and from what i've gathered is that you can definetly breastfeed your adopted child. it is going to be a lot of work adn you could be pumping and taking the herbs and drugs for a few months before the baby comes to stimulate the production, but i'ts just as healthy as anyone elses milk and i personally think that even though you didtn give birth to the child, its just as natural to feed them that way as it is for a women who just gave birth to breastfeed. i mean that is why god gave us breasts!! (Contrary to what most men think)LOL!i dont have much more info than you but if you got anymore questions feel free to ask. Rach

[KarynB]

Hi Kamika,

I also breastfed our son for 2.5 years, and he was 5.5 months when I began. If you have questions feel free to ask, or I can send you a bunch or resources.

Pretty much anyone can breastfeed, unless you take any meds that could be harmful to the baby. There is a website called Kelly's mom (kellymom :: Breastfeeding and Parenting) that is helpful with that info on contraindications. Depending on which protocol you follow, and a whole variety of factors, you could produce a full supply for your baby (which I was able to do), or you may just have a bit and have to supplement with a Lact-Aid. Either way, it is totally worth it!

And the milk is the same as a woman who had given birth - only adoptive moms don't produce that first colostrum. In fact, once you get your baby, your supply will increase due to that, because of those "mommy" hormones that will kick in.

Good luck!