[happy2bmom]

When I saw the post about the birthmom breastfeeding, it got me wondering... is anyone here breastfeeding your adopted children? I breastfed my bio daughter and was interested in doing the same with the baby we will adopt. I know that it is physically possible, but have never met anyone who actually has done it. I hope the question doesn't freak y'all out. The general consensus of opinion I've gotten so far is and it is a little discouraging.

[Leigh131313]

I've never done it, but many here have. I know a couple people who did it very successfully.

The really good news is, its easier to RE-lactate...so you'll be at an advantage, having breastfed before

Good luck!

[chrisandaaron]

I am. But, I was still breastfeeding my biological son when we adopted in February. I didn't have to relactate, but I am breastfeeding both and it is going well. I will PM you with some good places to look for info.

Good luck,
Chris

[traceyk]

I relactated and breastfed my baby for 9 mo. until she weaned herself. It was the best thing I ever did. She was a preemie and didn't get one sniffle until after she weaned. In fact she is starting to show signs of being interested in nursing again and if she really gets interested I wil start protocal again since I am producing such a small amount now.

[sisnmike]

I am nursing our adopted son who is now 10 months old, and have been since we got him (3-4 weeks old) It's been going fabulous and he loves nursing for comfort and for food, but mostly comfort. I plan on doing it until he decides to stop and at this point it doesn't look like it'll be any time soon. I didn't have to relactate as I had just delivered my last surrogate baby last April and was pumping for her so I pumped for her and breastfed T, though I take herbs to help my milk production.
I say to go for it--it's an absolutely wonderful rewarding experience and such a great bonding experience!
Good luck!
Denise

[piperdog]

I also would like to breastfeed our adopted baby (due 6/14). I had gobs of breast milk with my two biological sons, but that was over three years ago. How did you all relactate? Did you pump a certain number of times a day for a few weeks??? I kind of gave up on it, because my gynecologist told me he would have to "pump me full of hormones". Our birthmother also wants to pump and send me breastmilk, but she's in Nashville and we're in St. Louis. I can't figure out how to make that work.

I would LOVE to know what I need to do to produce milk!!

[momofmykids]

Originally Posted by piperdog

I also would like to breastfeed our adopted baby (due 6/14). I had gobs of breast milk with my two biological sons, but that was over three years ago. How did you all relactate? Did you pump a certain number of times a day for a few weeks??? I kind of gave up on it, because my gynecologist told me he would have to "pump me full of hormones". Our birthmother also wants to pump and send me breastmilk, but she's in Nashville and we're in St. Louis. I can't figure out how to make that work.

I would LOVE to know what I need to do to produce milk!!

Email me (see my profile)...the pm's here won't let you post links.

[mommieof2cuties]

I am doing it also! It is great and a wonderful way to bond But also is very healthy for your baby

Good Luck and God BlessP

[lisa in venice]

[quote=piperdog I kind of gave up on it, because my gynecologist told me he would have to "pump me full of hormones".
[/QUOTE]
The only "hormones" you would be pumped full of IF you chose tom use them would be plain old birth control pills. But you are really close to the birth to even use that protocol anyway. The other drug that you can take is called Domepridone which is a reflux drug not a hormone. It has the side effect of raising your natural production of prolactin which is a pituitary hormone that we all produce but when you produce alot fo it AND there is nipple stimulation from either a baby or a pump the you start to make milk. The more frequently and completely the milk is removed from your breast (by a baby or pump) your body makes more and more and more until you have a milk supply. With no drugs at all it takes about 1-3 weeks to get a few drops and figure you will build a few cc per day and about 1-2 oz per week. If you add domperidone and herbs like fenugreek, fennel and blessed thistle you will build supply faster. Of course the more often you pump/nurse the faster you will build supply as well. I was lucky
(or unluck by some standards) to have babies that wanted to nurse 24/7 which meant it was easier for my to buiild supply because I had almost constant stimulation but some babies are not as obsesses as mine were (heck at nearly three Mirands STILL has to a couple of times a day). Check out the fourfriends web site for the best info. It is possible and so worth the effort.

lisa

[momofmykids]

Originally Posted by piperdog

Our birthmother also wants to pump and send me breastmilk, but she's in Nashville and we're in St. Louis. I can't figure out how to make that work.

It's not difficult at all to ship breastmilk. PM me if you want more info. I've done it lots of times (I've even had 2 mommies from this board donate milk! )

[akcskye]

I wonder...

My hormones are out of whack, and my breasts have expressed the pre-milk, (I forget what that's called...colostrum???) and sometimes will give milk, and have for years.

I have never had a successful pregnancy. Now we're being considered seriously for a 3 month old.

Is this something I should possibly look in to? I mean, what would I do...just buy a breast pump and my breasts will "get the hint"?

I don't mean to sound ignorant to it, but I have always wanted to breastfeed my bio baby, and now we're being considered for such a young child...I'd like to breastfeed her, if we got matched.

Hormones aren't an option for me, as extra estrogen makes my fibroid tumors grow.

What do you think?

[chrisandaaron]

Kristi-

I'd definitely look into it. I'd recommend renting a hospital grade pump. Just call your local hospital and talk to a lactation consultant about renting one. They work the best and it also saves you some money while you are figuring out if it will work for you. Otherwise, I would make sure you buy a good electric double pump. There can be some issues with teaching an older baby to breastfeed, but it may be easier than expected. Our son was a preemie and almost 1 month old when we met him. We were all geared up to meet with the hospital's lactation consultant and start to work on breastfeeding (which I expected to take some time). 10 minutes before our meeting he got hungry, latched on, and has been nursing like a champ ever since. Much easier than my bio son. I PM all of you with some good websites for more info.

Good luck