Breastfeeding an adopted baby

[lulugirl]

I breastfed all three of my children, and loved it. But I would not even consider that if I adopted. I think people really overemphasize the bonding experience with breastfeeding. There is no reason that a woman cannot bond just as closely with her adopted child as breastfeeding mothers do with their biological children without actually breastfeeding.

It was not that long ago that very few children in this country were breastfed, did our mothers not bond with us? I agree with RPOF, the Breast is Best campaign has done alot of good, but it also has caused some people to really believe they will have less of a bond if they do not breastfeed and that is just untrue.

I think breastfeeding is a wonderful thing, but it is just not practical in some cases. Women should be encouraged, above all else, to do what feels right for them and their children (adopted or biological). And they should also be reassured that bonding with their child is not dependent on mammary glands.

Well stated and I agree!

 

[kbkids]

I have a friend who just adopted, and she is breastfeeding. I had personally never heard of it before her, and I think it's great. She's had great success with it, and I'm so happy for her.

 

[Cindyluwho]

If she's doing it for the experience I'd say go for it! If it's the "breast milk nutrition" that she's after, I understand you can buy human milk now for babies?

 

[goodeats]

I don't understand. Do the moms take hormones or something so they can breastfeed, or is it something more along the lines of in Meet the Fockers with the formula going to the fake breasts?

 

[princesspumpkin]

I breastfed all three of my children, and loved it. But I would not even consider that if I adopted. I think people really overemphasize the bonding experience with breastfeeding. There is no reason that a woman cannot bond just as closely with her adopted child as breastfeeding mothers do with their biological children without actually breastfeeding.

It was not that long ago that very few children in this country were breastfed, did our mothers not bond with us? I agree with RPOF, the Breast is Best campaign has done alot of good, but it also has caused some people to really believe they will have less of a bond if they do not breastfeed and that is just untrue.

I think breastfeeding is a wonderful thing, but it is just not practical in some cases. Women should be encouraged, above all else, to do what feels right for them and their children (adopted or biological). And they should also be reassured that bonding with their child is not dependent on mammary glands.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Also, I think that attaching "better bonding" to breastfeeding is really insulting to the fathers. I nursed for over 1 1/2 years, yet DD has an equal bond with me and DH - and nope, he doesn't lactate

 

[transparant]

I don't understand. Do the moms take hormones or something so they can breastfeed, or is it something more along the lines of in Meet the Fockers with the formula going to the fake breasts?

No - basically...sucking = milk. WHether it be in pump form or from a baby. The more stimulation the breasts receive the better the milk production. WOmen have 2 hormones for this. Oxytocin and prolactin. Prolactin is responsible for the production of milk - and oxytocin is responsible for the release of the milk. The more pumping/suckling the higher the prolactin levels.

There are specific medications that can help induce lactation as well.

Hope that helped.

 

[transparant]

If she's doing it for the experience I'd say go for it! If it's the "breast milk nutrition" that she's after, I understand you can buy human milk now for babies?

Getting donated milk is much like filling a prescription at a pharmacy. You need a prescription, there is a fee, & not all insurance co. will reimburse patients for it.

Milk banks charge on average $2.50 per ounce of milk & considering the average baby takes in about 30 -40 ounces a day, this can cost serveral thousands of dollars over the course of a few months.

 

[cabmom]

I don't understand. Do the moms take hormones or something so they can breastfeed, or is it something more along the lines of in Meet the Fockers with the formula going to the fake breasts?

There is a drug called Domperidone that is used for your digestive tract, that the side effect is milk lactation! How do I know...because I'm on it for that very reason. My 7 wk old would not latch properly so I had to find something that would help with milk production as mine was dimenishing due to him not nursing.
I'm all for it if an adoptive parent wants to do it. It is a lot of work!!!
Marilynn

 

[MzDiz]

Another consideration that I think people overlook is the cost of formula. My youngest was unable to take soy formula and I wasn't producing enough milk, so we had to supplement with some outrageously expensive formula that was nearly 6 bucks a concentrated can. If not for WIC, I don't know what we would have done.

 

[amarberry]

I have A LOT of admiration for adoptive mothers who breastfeed. Of course formula is an acceptable alternative, but breastmilk is best for a baby! That said, I know mothers who have attempted this and it can be very difficult to accomplish. Mother's who have gone through pregnancy have had 9 months for their hormones to get to where they need to be for lactation, but adoptive moms are pumped full of so many hormones in a short period of time. I've heard that it can be quite an emotional rollercoaster and, as someone else pointed out, going through the adoption process alone is such an emotional issue without adding other issues.

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

I'm just curious-why exactly is breast milk best? Myself and everyone I know born in the 60's were bottle fed and we turned out just fine. What exactly makes it the best? My sibs and I weren't sickly or have allergies and we're all very close to our mom. And I'm not being flip here, I really want to know-why it's best. Not wanting to brag but both my brother and I have IQ's in the genious range. So if we'd been breast fed, maybe we'd have scored a few points higher? Maybe it would've helped us not to be lazy and actually do something with our high IQ's.

I tried to breast feed my son when he was born but he just screamed and screamed. I didn't have enough milk to satisfy him. So I bottle fed him.

However, I was scared to death I was ruining him when I chose to bottle feed and felt guilty for months until I talked to my ob/gyn who told me unless you can do it for an entire year straight with no supplements of formula, the benefits aren't that much different than bottle feeding. I really felt horrible about it though. I was just sure my son would be a mess due to me bottle feeding him. I tried everything to make breast feeding work, but it was just not to be. I think by making such a huge deal of how breast feeding is best, it can cause moms like me to worry and agonize for nothing. And the one poster is right -it makes you feel like less of a mom if you can't breast feed.

I didn't even bother trying to breast feed my daughter when she came along, not wanting to go through what I went through with my son. She and I are also very close. Neither of my kids are sickly or developmentally delayed due to bottle feeding. I feel now it was a good choice.

If an adoptive parent wants to breast feed, great. I say do it, but I really felt like there should've been more info. out there that if you aren't able to breast feed, it isn't the end of the world. Just mho.

 

[tiggerlover]

I think if an adoptive mother is capable and has the desire to that it is a wonderful thing that she can give her new child.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Cookie--I am right there with you. I attempted BFing, but I just didn't like it. It wasn't fun, I didn't feel proud to do it. I just felt like "Great..I went for 9 mos with feeling my body is not my own. And now I don't even get it BACK? Waaah!" I was also having issues with PPD, which didn't help anything either.

MzDiz--I know what you mean. DS had to have special lactose free formula because regular formula made him poop aquarium gravel. We thought about trying soy, but we were SO afraid of him developing a nut-based allergy later on that it scared us right off of soy anything. We won't even use creams on him that have nut-based oils in them because we're freaked about the nut allergy thing.

LinniethePooh--I think that THESE people could probably provide you with more answers (and BF propaganda) than you could possibly ever want or need.

TOV

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

LINNIE THE POOH- I like you did not BF my kids. Well with DS I tried like heck. Supplemental system and all for a couple weeks. He just screamed and screamed. So I went to formula and he was the happiest baby on earth. He is now 7 years old and healthy.

In the meantime I got my job as an OB nurse. I seen what some of those mothers went through and didn't even attempt it with my DD. Though like another poster stated, she ended up on the "expensive " formula . And I thought if I knew back then what I know now... But seriously, I don't regret it. You have to do whats best for you, and sorry it just wasn't for me. My kids pediatrician didn't push it. He said do what is best for you . Because he also shared , his wife didn't BF their kids either.

Whatever floats your boat.

 

[YourMajesty]

LinniethePooh--I think that THESE people could probably provide you with more answers (and BF propaganda) than you could possibly ever want or need.

TOV

I guess you could get some proganada on this board or you could look up some research on breastmilk. I know it's an emotional issue for moms...it was for me because I was not very successful breastfeeding first DS (it was harder than he** and the pain was horrible). My education is in the nutrition field and the reseach is there. It's so overwhelming that you will see many changes in formula feeding in the next several years...including what they reccommend and what it is called. It's fasncinating but I realize not everyone is going to siminars on current research of the benefits of breastmilk. I wish I could have a do over but I can't so I just have to get over the guilt.

Breastmilk from a milk bank would be a very expensive option but if money is not tight it would be a good choice. There is also a formula called Neocate and is high dollar $$$$....many babies might be using this as a formula option in the future.

 

[amarberry]

I'm just curious-why exactly is breast milk best? Myself and everyone I know born in the 60's were bottle fed and we turned out just fine. What exactly makes it the best?

From the FDA:

"Human Milk for Human Infants

The primary benefit of breast milk is nutritional. Human milk contains just the right amount of fatty acids, lactose, water, and amino acids for human digestion, brain development, and growth.

Cow's milk contains a different type of protein than breast milk. This is good for calves, but human infants can have difficulty digesting it. Bottle-fed infants tend to be fatter than breast-fed infants, but not necessarily healthier.

Breast-fed babies have fewer illnesses because human milk transfers to the infant a mother's antibodies to disease. About 80 percent of the cells in breast milk are macrophages, cells that kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. Breast-fed babies are protected, in varying degrees, from a number of illnesses, including pneumonia, botulism, bronchitis, staphylococcal infections, influenza, ear infections, and German measles. Furthermore, mothers produce antibodies to whatever disease is present in their environment, making their milk custom-designed to fight the diseases their babies are exposed to as well.

A breast-fed baby's digestive tract contains large amounts of Lactobacillus bifidus, beneficial bacteria that prevent the growth of harmful organisms. Human milk straight from the breast is always sterile, never contaminated by polluted water or dirty bottles, which can also lead to diarrhea in the infant.

Human milk contains at least 100 ingredients not found in formula. No babies are allergic to their mother's milk, although they may have a reaction to something the mother eats. If she eliminates it from her diet, the problem resolves itself."

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/895_brstfeed.html

Here is the link to the American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement on Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk which was updated on February 2, 2005:

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;115/2/496

La Leche League (http://www.lalecheleague.org) also has extensive information regarding the benefits of breastmilk.

In addition, you can read in the links listed above that their are also maternal benefits to breastfeeding.

I'm not trying to start a debate...just passing this information along.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

Explain to me this then..if it hurts to BF, then why do they continue to do it? If it hurts, that would say to me, HEY! Idiot! Stop doing whatever it is you're doing to make it go OWIE!

TOV

 

[jfulcer]

Explain to me this then..if it hurts to BF, then why do they continue to do it? If it hurts, that would say to me, HEY! Idiot! Stop doing whatever it is you're doing to make it go OWIE!

TOV

Nothing like showing a little compassion, understanding, and thoughtfullness. I just read this whole thread to see what you had to say. Ya didn't disappoint me! Thanks!

 

[jfulcer]

No - basically...sucking = milk. WHether it be in pump form or from a baby. The more stimulation the breasts receive the better the milk production. WOmen have 2 hormones for this. Oxytocin and prolactin. Prolactin is responsible for the production of milk - and oxytocin is responsible for the release of the milk. The more pumping/suckling the higher the prolactin levels.

There are specific medications that can help induce lactation as well.

Hope that helped.

Hey, it's the offical DIS Doula!

Good to hear from you Heather! :thewave:

 

[Lil_Tink]

Never heard of it.
If they want to more power to them.