I hope this is the right spot for this..

[newmommy74]

I have been going over this and over this in my mind for a long time.  I can't figure out if what i'm thinking

about doing is crazy or if it's something that will end up being amazing and a huge benefit.  

I'm a single woman who is signed up to be a foster mother.  I went through all of the classes and

passed with flying colors.  home inspection went wonderful and i'm all set.....just waiting for 

a baby.  I requested only infants because I am amazing with them.  I know other people

would prefer different, but that's where I am in my life.  

My question is, would is be odd to induce lactation to bf a foster baby?  

[newmommy74]

has anyone done anything like this with success?  I don't want to use drugs for it, is there another way?  I also have an ob/gyn 

appt set for monday.  I prefer natural ways.

[etsdtm99]

my first question would be, are you allowed to? 

[JamieCatheryn]

Pumping and herbs can induce lactation, though it takes time and commitment to work on it since of course you start out making no milk and increase very slowly. Some lactation promoting things include oats, hops, fenugreek, alfalfa, and blessed thistle. Use the best pump you can get, motorized ones usually better than manual.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/adopt/index.html

Most states wouldn't approve of breastfeeding a foster baby, since some foster moms could have diseases or take meds that could endanger the baby and they don't want to screen people or anything when formula is such a common solution. The bio mother could have a say in it too. Breastmilk is so worth giving if there is any way to though. If you fostered to adopt you'd gain far more freedom in your choices of care of course. If you kept it quiet, maybe if you pumped and bottlefed the milk so nobody looked into it, you'd have less hurdles I think. Oh you can also look into donated breastmilk from already lactacting moms as a possibility, look up your local Human Milk 4 Human Babies to see about that. Donated BM is also difficult in a foster situation though.

Edited by JamieCatheryn - 6/24/11 at 7:37pm

[newmommy74]

I checked today and yes, it's allowed if I use a bottle.  I think even a bottle would be super amazing...they would get the

nutrients, etc.   I just have to think about if it's worth all of the trouble....