Wanting to breastfeed my adopted daughter

[cheerma]

Our dd came to us at 5 months thru foster care. Because I was afraid of Children's Service I didn't breastfeed. We finally adopted her at age 3. Various reasons, including my intuition, her own interest, two therapists, etc have led me to want to breastfeed dd for 6 to 12 months. She's got attachment issues, autism, born tox positive, and came a meth lab where she was addicted, abused and neglected. Emotionally she's about 3. Intellectually she's about 6.

So I'm looking for advice ok how to get domperadone (sp?) because I'm getting push back from my doc. I will try my dd's doc. But is there a legal way to get the med thru other channels?

My daughter is interested in nursing and I wish I started sooner. If she didn't show interest, I would not pursue this because it is too physically intimate to press upon a child of her age.

Advice on how to prepare her is appreciated. Books for children, online materials, bringing her around my breastfeeding friends more often? I know the protocol to start lactation, so no help needed there.

I apologize if I've posted in the wrong forum.

[Parker'smommy]

So, she's four years old?  I don't want to discourage you, but she may not be able to nurse. Even children who nurse as babies and nurse into toddlerhood seem to "forget" how to nurse properly after not nursing for awhile. I have had this happen to several friends whose children weaned during a pregnancy and then just weren't able to nurse after baby came and they wanted to try. Mom had plenty of milk as she was nursing an infant, but the older child wasn't able to do it properly and get any milk out. In fact, their latch was awful and very painful for mom. 

Also, if it is for emotional reasons, and not nutritional ones, why can't you see if she can nurse without milk? Building up a supply can be a daunting task. I had 2 of my kids nurse through pregnancies where I didn't have any milk and they didn't care. They just wanted to nurse :) Good luck!

[One_Girl]

There is a book put out by La Leche League called Breastfeeding the Adopted Baby that might help you.  There are also a bunch of things that come up on a google search.  If she is very intellectual though she may bond to you just as well if you have several times a day where you read to her.  My dd nursed until she was three and a half but reading several times a day while snuggling together has kept us going once weaning happened.  We still read together even now that she is 8 and it is something that we can continue throughout her life. 

Nursing is something you can start now and do for a while, but realistically she may need something that is more long term because she really does have a lot to get past.  If you do get her to nurse again I still encourage you to find something else that you can also do once she decides to wean so you can keep that bond strong.

[prescottchels]

I just wanted to say I think it's fantastic that you and DD want to try nursing. And I agree w/the PP who suggested you try nursing even though there's no milk, yet. If it's not painful keep going. Whether or not you get a supply it could be very healing for her to have that intimate physical contact with you.

Good luck!!

[kayleesmom]

just wanted to send hugs.