[BFMUN]

Hello to you all,

I am an adoptive mother who is breastfeeding and a student in a masters of nursing program. I am working on a project about prospective adoptive parents knowledge of breastfeeding (BF) the adoptive infant/child. Now I know this is probably the last thing as waiting adoptive parents you are thinking about, but you are exactly the parents that I need to reach. In my project I am trying to understand if prospective adoptive parents are aware that they can breastfeed their adoptive infant/child. And whether they know where to turn to for help, and whether their health care providers is knowledeable and/or supportive of breastfeeding adoptive children.

For myself I have alot of professional knowledge about BF because of the work I do and was aware that adoptive mothers could potentially nurse their children. But I still had to source out how this was done, what protocols I needed to follow, and to find people (both professionally and personally) to support my decision to BF my son, all within days of becoming aware that I was going to become an adoptive mom (I didn't have alot of time to prepare to BF).
I am interested in learning about your experiences. Were you aware of the possibility? How you came to learn about the possibility of breastfeeding the adoptive child and also about where you turned to support you in your decision to BF. Was your doctor or health professional knowledgeable about adoptive BF, were they supportive?
Any thoughts on this is greatly appreciated and I think will benefit other prospective adoptive parents.
BFMUN

[Brenna and John]

How do you mean BF your adoptive child? Were you also pregnant with a bio child or had a new born? I am confused!

[Brenna and John]

Originally Posted by BFMUN

Hello to you all,

I am an adoptive mother who is breastfeeding and a student in a masters of nursing program. I am working on a project about prospective adoptive parents knowledge of breastfeeding (BF) the adoptive infant/child. Now I know this is probably the last thing as waiting adoptive parents you are thinking about, but you are exactly the parents that I need to reach. In my project I am trying to understand if prospective adoptive parents are aware that they can breastfeed their adoptive infant/child. And whether they know where to turn to for help, and whether their health care providers is knowledeable and/or supportive of breastfeeding adoptive children.

For myself I have alot of professional knowledge about BF because of the work I do and was aware that adoptive mothers could potentially nurse their children. But I still had to source out how this was done, what protocols I needed to follow, and to find people (both professionally and personally) to support my decision to BF my son, all within days of becoming aware that I was going to become an adoptive mom (I didn't have alot of time to prepare to BF).
I am interested in learning about your experiences. Were you aware of the possibility? How you came to learn about the possibility of breastfeeding the adoptive child and also about where you turned to support you in your decision to BF. Was your doctor or health professional knowledgeable about adoptive BF, were they supportive?
Any thoughts on this is greatly appreciated and I think will benefit other prospective adoptive parents.
BFMUN

How do you mean BF your adoptive child? Were you also pregnant with a bio child or had a new born? I am confused!

[LBo]

I don't know much about this subject, just interested too. We are still in the deciding phases of adoption, but I too have the desire to nurse our adopted baby. I nursed our son...IVF baby and had a wonderful experience with it. The reading I've done says that pumping several weeks in advance can stimulate the milk supply, and hormone meds can be used also. I've talked with my son's Dr. about this and he is all in favor just didn't have any experience. I've yet to talk to my OB/GYN but that is next on my list. I'd be interested to find out what you learn and share anything else I get along the way.

Thanks! LBo

[BFMUN]

Brenna & John:
I mean by "BF your adopted child" is are you considering breastfeeding an adopted child/infant. I do not have any other children of my own, so when I decided to BF my adopted son I had to try to develop my own milk supply. I had to pump my breasts, take domperidone, get the baby to latch, and any other ways to help stimulate the formation of my own milk supply. I hope that helps clear up any confusion.
BFMUN

[BFMUN]

LBo,
I hope all works out for you with your adoption. I am also glad to hear of your interest in breastfeeding the adopted infant as well. Before you started reading about BF & adoption what did you know about it? Where did you start the search to learn more about the subject?
I am glad you have started the discussions w/ your health care providers if you or they need more information do a google search for "Dr. Jack Newman" he is a wonderful doctor in Toronto who is an expert in breastfeeding. His website provides some great advice and guidelines for adoptive breastfeeding. If you find that information helpful share with your doctors. You can also email him directly with your questions he is quick to respond. I certainly found him helpful.
BFMUN

[JunipersMom]

I' m currently breastfeeding my adopted daughter, never been pregnant, and I have an email group dedicated to adoptive breastfeeding. There's a bunch of us crazy women out there breastfeeding our babies...


I'm a homebirth midwife, so I also have alot of lactation experience. Personally, I didn't use domperidone or herbs or pumping. I used a supplementor for about a month until my supply was enough, and now I use the supplementor for growth spurts until my body catches up with her.

She's almost 9 months old now and I went to foster her in Guatemala when she was 3 weeks old.

[AwaitingBeloved]

Hi BFMun,
I wanted to help in your research. :-)

The first I heard of adoptive breastfeeding was through our agency at orientation.. our first meeting. They gave us literature and pointed us to resources, like the La Leche League, I don't remember where else to be honest.

I have also learned here, and there is a yahoo group I was introduced to from here.

I was very weirded out by adoptive bf at first. Only b/c I thought society would think I was a weirdo if I bf.

Then the more I learned and read, I realized it was wonderful and not offensive to most people. And who cares for the ppl who are offended, you know?

Lately, however, as our possible placement comes closer... I have to admit, I'm more on the fence.

Why?

Because it's a lot of work to induce lactation, and the herbs make me nervous. Silly? Probably. But, big enough of a concern that I'm truly on the fence.

And, I am pretty sure this pbmom would be very upset if she knew I was breastfeeding. I think it would hurt her. And that's the last thing I want to do.

I guess I got off on a tangent. :-)

Good thread. I think it's wonderful for the aparents that are not as afraid as I am. And I may still do this, it's just that right now.. it's scary for me...

But, I wish all the luck in the world to other aparents exploring this.

[Amy2U]

YEH FOR YOU!! I AM SO IMPRESSED!!! I am an adoptee, but as a mom of 2, and very la leche league promoter, breast feeding, I've read articles that ADOPTED moms could nurse their child if they put their all into it.
I am a FULL SUPPORTER OF A/MOM'S BREASTFEEDING THEIR A/CHILDREN.
That is truly a BOND waiting to happen!!! A NATURAL BOND!!
Oh, I'm so thrilled over this thread!!!
Wow wow wow! YOu made my day!!!

[cocomfs]

We are still waiting for our baby, but I fully intend to breastfeed if possible. I am a little concerned about some of the High Blood Pressure medication I take though. So as long as I can find medication combinations that are safe, I will breastfeed.
Thank you for starting this thread - it is somethings I have just started to research.

[ginadc]

I am aware of the possibility, but it's not an option for me as a breast cancer survivor. I think it would give my oncologist palpitations if I even mentioned the idea of taking hormones or otherwise tried to stimulate anything to go on in my breasts. I'm happy with them staying nice and quiet!

[AwaitingBeloved]

oh, gina! You are funny!

I hope "the girls" stay nice and quiet, too! My mom is a survivor, too! The docs have told me (you may already know this) to avoid soy products because they convert to estrogen or something like that when you digest them and as you know increased estrogen can increase your risk, etc....

I just wanted to share that. So many people with strong histories of breast ca in their families don't know the soy connection, and IMO it's an important one.

Ok, sorry to digress guys.

Back to adoptive breastfeeding!!! :-)

[Brenna and John]

Well, aren't I always the last to know!!! Ha! But for real, I had never heard of such a thing until this thread!!!! Wow, I am floored! I guess you learn something new everyday. I will definitely spread the word!

Who knew???

Well obviously ya'll did, but...