Adoptive Breastfeeding

[Philhop]

I am adopting a baby in March.  I would like to breastfeed my adoptive baby.  I would like to here any advice or receive any information about this topic. This is my first child and I have never breasfed before.  I would greatly appreciate any advice.

[PatioGardener]

congratulations!!! 

http://www.asklenore.info/ has lots of info, and the founder who breastfed her 2 sons (from surrogacy) will answer questions by email too.

kellymom is good too: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/adopt/index.html

and Jack Newman has a great info page too: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11:breastfeeding-your-adopted-baby-or-baby-born-by-surrogategestational-carrier&catid=5:information&Itemid=17

mdc has a thread too - try searching in the breastfeeding challenges forum :)

please stop back and tells us of your preparations and success

[Mike A]

We are past this stage with our daughters, but we had looked into it. We looked at the breast milk banks and it wound up being more than we could afford so we were unable to do that. We also considered preparing my body for it, but I was so tired from all the infertility meds that I just couldn't handle forcing my body to do more. I think it is a really wonderful idea though and wish I could have handled it at the time.

Congratulations and best wishes!

[crystal_buffaloe]

Congratulations! This is an awesome thing you're considering doing!

La Leche has some great adoptive breastfeeding stories: http://www.llli.org/NB/NBadoptive.html 

I haven't BTDT, but here's my advice: Line up your support now!

• Get in contact with LLL, maybe go ahead and go to a meeting, ask some questions, check out some books from their library :)
• Line up a supportive LC, since I'm guessing you're going to want to check in with her and do some before/after feedings weighs
• Do you have any breastfeeding friends or a source of donated breastmilk? Maybe someone you know has a freezer stash or would be willing to pump once a day for you if you need to supplement via lact-aid or SNS.

Also, just being skin-to-skin with baby will boost your supply. As much as you can, have topless (or open-shirt) cuddle and naptime in the bed. You can also be topless and wear the baby between your boobs in a Moby wrap (the wrap will mostly cover you up!) and do things around the house. My fussy newborn LOVED to be worn skin-to-skin in the Moby.

Keep us posted!