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Adoptive mothers can nurse their children.
Worried that you'll miss out on the special bonding experience that comes from breastfeeding?
Concerned that you'll go broke buying formula?
Wary of formula feeding, in general?
There is nothing to worry about because adoptive mothers can breastfeed their children.
According to Dr. Jack Newman, internationally acclaimed breastfeeding expert, with the right amount of education and preparation an adoptive mother can breastfeed, whether or not the child is a newborn and whether or not the adoptive mother can produce enough milk.
Quick biology lesson
The hormones that effect lactation, prolactin and oxytocin, do not depend on a woman's ability to bear children. Even women who have had hysterectomies can lactate.
There are two ways to stimulate lactation, manipulation and hormone therapy. Both can be used in conjunction with one another to increase milk production. Manipulation is most commonly done with a breast pump while hormone therapy generally consists of herbal supplements or the drug domperidone.
Can you produce enough milk?
Dr. Newman also says that, more likely than not, an adoptive mother will not produce enough milk to sustain her adopted child. The keys to successful adoptive nursing are to start pumping early (as soon as the baby is in sight, in the doctor's words) and to decide if you'll use domperidone to help produce more milk.
Supplementation is sometimes necessary and the use of a lactation aid is quite common. This is a device that delivers additional nutrients, through a tube, down to the mother's nipple. The baby suckles the nipple and tube at the same time and receives what she needs.
Bottom line
Adoptive mothers can breastfeed with the right education and preparation. Start early, use the right tools, and stay positive. If developing the one-of-a-kind closeness that comes from breastfeeding is important to you, there is a way.
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