I know an adoptive couple who, together, exclusively breastfed their adopted son from time of his placement until he was old enough for solids (and beyond). I have to admit that I find this super cool, and not just because they ended up with a son who's allergic to cow's milk and soy. It's because it makes them so happy. And because I'm a science geek and think the human body is awesome.
The weirdest part about it for me is that it has put me in the amusing position of having to explain to my daughter why she gets milk from only one of her moms instead of both...
Perhaps seeing it happen all the time is why the assumption that breastfeeding is out of the question for adoptive parents takes me by surprise even though I know it is (1) very rare and (2) not particularly simple to get going. Still, it works, which many people don't even know, and as research continues on the best ways to induce, interest keeps rising.
There are two main components to getting lactation going: The most important is that the physical act of suckling induces lactation. This means that you can either use a supplementer (see picture) to feed donated milk or formula to a baby while having it nurse from the breast or pump several times a day in advance of a placement/birth (a good way to store up extra that can then be donated!). Most women also use combinations of medications and herbs that fool the body into thinking it's pregnant, boost supply, or just have lactation as a side effect, especially if they have a sense of when a kid will arrive and want to be able to breastfeed from day one. Many of these are the same things that bio moms who've had an illness or supply issues use. For more details, check with the experts.
I'm quite sure that this is one of those cases where even raising the possibilty, even while acknowledging how hard it is, will make some parents feel judged for not taking it on. They shouldn't, but that's easy for me to say. (The Milkshare folks do suggest that those who can try induced lactation do, so as to keep donated milk for those who can't, which I suppose is reasonable.) Still, I think it's worth spreading the word that it is possible, for those like my friends who might be really happy to be able to do it and/or have kids who could really benefit.
I'd be interested in hearing from adoptive or potentially adoptive parents. Had you heard about this? What were your reactions?
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