Home » Parenting & Kids

Yes! Adoptive Moms Breastfeed too!

18 Like

Like 18

Pin It

Ranked #1,931 in Parenting & Kids, #58,856 overall

It was destiny that I saw the movie Like Water for Chocolate years ago. When the main character breastfed a baby that she hadn't actually birthed, I thought NO WAY! IMPOSSIBLE!

WRONGO! It is sooo possible to breastfeed a baby even if you haven't been pregnant. You need to be female and have breasts. Most everything else can be gotten around.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is encouraging adoptive moms to breastfeed (not that you should listen to them on everything). It's a good thing for you. It's a good thing for baby. Adoptive moms are REAL moms and have the choice to breastfeed (or not). Too cool, huh?

I successfully breastfed my daughter that didn't come through me to get to me! You can do it too. Keep reading.

Adoptive Breastfeeding

the two camps

When it comes to adoptive breastfeeding for some mothers it is all about the experience. For others it is all about the MILK.

I was one of the latter. It was all about the milk for me! I am not saying that was the way to go. I sometimes think I should have focused more on the experience.

These two ways of viewing adoptive breastfeeding has created two camps, with some moms falling in between the two.

Camp # 1 breastfeeds their adopted babies expecting to supplement. Obsession with supply is not their thing. They are likely to use methods of putting the baby to breast often using a Supplemental Nursing System (more to come on that later), possibly pumping often, and possibly taking herbs to aid in production.

Camp # 2 wants a fully milk supply and they likely want it YESTERDAY! These moms find out that Lenore Goldfarb (Lactation Consultant) and Dr. Jack Newman have created a medically induced protocol for adoptive breastfeeding and follow their advice to get as much milk as possible. They breastfeed often, pump often, and basically trick the body to think that a baby has been born and needs milk now!

Take an internet stroll through the links I provided to read more about different perspectives on adoptive breastfeeding.

Adoptive Breastfeeding How To:

Find Great Info Here:

Adoptive Breastfeeding -- great topic - few experts. Here they are!

Real Moms discuss Adoptive Breastfeeding Here!: Great site to hear about all opinions of HOW TO breastfeed an adopted baby. Discussions of going with natural methods vs. medically induced route, breastfeeding the older adopted baby, and "newbie" questions. Site is organized, current and awesome! These moms know whas up!
Go ahead! Ask Lenore how to.: Lenore knows adoption! Lenore knows breastfeeding! Lenore knows surrogacy! Lenore knows what you want to know and is willing to share! So, go ask Lenore. She can help you get a full supply of milk for your baby. Dedicated to wholeheartedly supporting ALL mothers that want to breastfeed, Lenore is the answer.
Breastfeeding Expert Dr. Jack Newman: Okay, you want a doctor's advice on the subject. Here it is. Dr. Jack Newman is a pioneer in the field of breastfeeding. Together with Lenore Goldfarb, Dr. Newman has made breastfeeding adopted babies REALITY for so many moms -- including me! I love you, Dr. Jack Newman.
Sharing Breastmilk?? What do you think?: Don't say, oh, gross. Have you thought of what cow your glass of milk came out of this morning? Did you know her? No. Women have provided milk for other women's babies FOREVER. Some moms that can't get a full supply use breastmilk donations to supplement. Some don't. A lot of experts caution against it. Many moms still do it. You decide for yourself.
The Breastfeeding Experts Speak!: La Leche League knows breastfeeding. Go to this link to find essays that mothers have written about their experience breastfeeding children who just so happen to be adopted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I breastfeed too?

You want to know if adoptive breastfeeding applies to you? I am not a doctor. But I have done it myself. I have presented at conferences on the subject. So, here is some of what I know.

Never been pregnant? Doesn't matter. You can likely breastfeed.
Total hysterectomy? You can breastfeed. The uterus and ovaries aren't for breastfeeding.
Have a pituitary gland that works and breasts? If so, you have a great chance of breastfeeding with a good milk supply.
Yes, the milk is good in a nutritional sense. Your milk will be the same as a mother that has given birth. Yet yours will be like hers is at 10 days post-partum. No colostrum, but lots of the good stuff -- and lots of cuddling and skin to skin contact for your babe!
No. You do not have to take medicications to induce lactation. Though you can if you choose to do so.
You can breastfeed an older adopted baby. It won't be as easy if your little one arrives after three months of age. But it can be done and certainly has been done. You could do it too.

Why would a woman want to breastfeed after adoption?

Because she is a MOTHER!

Well before breastfeeding went out of fashion and came back in fashion and went out of fashion.... you get the point, women breastfed babies that hadn't actually entered the world through their very own birth canals.

The Bible references the subject saying "and Naomi took the child, and laid it in her lap and she became a nurse unto it." Ruth 4:16

Great literature has many references to women that hadn't birthed a child being able to offer milk through times of war, famine and natural disaster.

In many cultures if the mother experiences problems with breastfeeding or supply, her sisters, relatives or even mother will step in to breastfeed the baby.

If you have a problem with this, it is likely an American thing. We are conditioned to think that our breasts are for the pleasure of others. Though they often serve that purpose well, they are also very good at making milk. Thus the name mammary glands.

Dr. Jack Newman says, "Breastfeeding gives confidence to the mother and helps her establish a special, physical relationship with her baby that cannot be duplicated."

The American Academy of Pediatrics added adoptive breastfeeding to their recent recommendations.

AAP says: "Pediatricians should counsel adoptive mothers on the benefits of induced lactations through hormonal therapy or mechanical stimulation."