Breastfeeding SupportGOT MILK? The Breastfeeding relationship is so important... if you need support, or are a boobie juice pro, come on in! This is the breast (uh, um best) discussion board on the web.
Anyone have experience with this that wasn't already lactating? I would love to nurse this baby. But I have no idea if I need to go on medication or what...
I've not nursed an adopted baby before, but I do have some suggestions for you. First, I'd get a hospital grade pump NOW and start pumping at least a few times a day. Also, be prepared to need a SNS or a Lactaid once little Garrett or Harper arrives. I'm not sure on the medications to take/dosages, etc, but there are several mamas here who have or are preparing to BFAR and I'm sure they could help you out!
Good for you!!!!
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Cher ~ Mommy to Taylor Matthew (13), Kirstin Tambra (11), Meghan Olivia (9), Katherine Grace (7), Ella Caroline (5), Jack Riley (3) and Evan Connor (1)
parentsplace has an adoptive breastfeeding forum and if you google adoptive breastfeeding, you should find a website that's something like "fourfriends"
I tried this, but was only minimally successful. (But I hadn't nursed before; that will likely make a difference.)
Kas (and others here) can tell you about Domperidone, which will increase milk supply. I also used LOTS of fenugree, some blessed thistle, marshmallow, and alfalfa.
It's a lot of work, but many mamas say its worth it (for me, I'm glad I tried, but I didn't have any support around it, and it was better for both my relationship w/my baby and my relationship w/my partner that I stopped trying after a couple months).
contact your local la leche league leader & mention adoptive nursing & watch the support you get from these awesome mamas! i LIVED to help adoptive nursing mamas. made my day, week, month, year!
it's so much easier now to induce lactation than it was even 5 yrs ago. hospital grade pump~domperidone~herbs~sns/lactaid nursing system~donor milk, etc.
in addition to the above, the best thing to use as a milk producer is putting baby to the breast every chance you get. the more he/she sucks, the more milk you'll produce. if you're doing all of the other things, you *will* produce milk, maybe not a full supply, but the bonding time with your invited baby will be preciuous to you both
ACK! See i am reading these posts and feeling so overwhelmed. I failed at bf'eeding Whitley. We quit at a few months. It was a lot harder than I expected so I naturally am fearful of trying to lactate "on my own". DH is skeptical b/c I was so stressed trying to nurse Whitley he doesn't want to see me like that again, but says to do what I want.
Anyway, that aside... is there a website where I could find out if we even have a LLL here?
Do I start pumping *dry*? See I am so ignorant.
Do I call up my Dr. now and ask for that med? Will it make me hormonal and wacky (bc pills do this as does pregnancy so I would need to be prepared. LOL).
My biggest fear is that I will work hard at this and be full of milk and bm will back out. But I really DO want to try this! I am just scared! (as if you couldn't tell). Okay vent over. Thanks for all the info. Gonna go look up that website now...
that link will take you to lll's page to locate a group close to you. try not to be shy, call up a leader & just tell her your situation, and ask her if she has experience with inducing lacation for adoption~if she doesn't, ask her if she knows of a leader who does, and eventually you'll find someone with the know-how & the desire to see you succeed
the domperidone is not going to make you a whacko-it's a gastrointestinal medication that HAPPENS to increase milk supply. you don't necessarily want to get it from your dr either-as getting insurance to cover it can be a nightmare. you can get it online (comes in seal blister packs)-just do a search for it.
that's a link to a page full of resources on adoptive nursing~at the bottom of the page are books-from what i've read, the most recent adoptive nursing book is the best, as it's most current & up to date. ~Peterson, Debra. Breastfeeding the Adopted Baby. Corona Publishing Co., 1994
Originally posted by lassie Wow, didn't expect so many replies so soon!
My biggest fear is that I will work hard at this and be full of milk and bm will back out. But I really DO want to try this! I am just scared! (as if you couldn't tell). Okay vent over. Thanks for all the info. Gonna go look up that website now...
I have no experience with this, but say Go For It. You'll feel better for trying & if it works you could at least freezer stash for bottles if baby isn't interested. Think of all the $ and nutrional benefits.
You rock for trying.
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Natalie
mom to
DD #1: tiny terror (6/01) who's becoming a nice little girl
DD #2: peanut 3/04 who's becoming a toddler terror
Wife to Mick -13 yrs
domperidone would work best for you (as has been said here already) adn should be started soon so your supply will be up by the time he comes.
I know a mama that produced full supplies for her 2 adopted children...I know her from several other boards, but she posts here as well..her user name is Kerri
Susie (twirlymama i think??) used to post here often. I know she successfully nursed her adopted child. Joyce (elliebelly) and she are good friends I think, so if Susie isn there anymore, you may want to PM joyce and get her email-- i know she would LOVE to talk w you. Also Kerry( I think that is her name, cant remember her username) nursed 2 adoped babies successfully(boys I want to say??? ANyone remember her? does she have a new username now? She used to have a family pic in her sig??
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Heather , mama to Liam, born 12-19-01, and Simon, born 04-17-05 wife to Mark, married 09-23-97
Nursing an adopted child?
But I really DO want to try this! I am just scared! (as if you couldn't tell). Okay vent over. Thanks for all the info. Gonna go look up that website now...
Garrett or Harper is one lucky baby!!!
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