You can breastfeed your adopted baby!
Even if you've never breastfed before
Even if you don't have ovaries or a uterus
Even if you've never been pregnant
Even if your child has been on bottles
Even if your child has special needs
Even if your child is an older baby or toddler
You and your child deserve all the benefits
of a wonderful breastfeeding relationship!
Why is Breastfeeding Best?
Breastmilk is a remarkable food for your baby, and nursing your baby is an amazing bonding experience for both of you!
Breastmilk is like liquid gold! It helps protect your baby against infections and reduces the rates of other health problems later in life, including diabetes and asthma.
One important component found only in breastmilk is living cells, including powerful leukocytes. These cells help your baby stay strong against infections. Every drop of breastmilk you produce contains other amazing nutrition, including:
Lactoferrin
Lysozyme
Bifidus Factor
Secretory IgA
Perfectly gentle forms of proteins, calcium, and iron
Special long-chain fatty acids
Nourishing your baby by breastfeeding gives your child a healthy start in his new family.
But there is so much more to breastfeeding than just milk! Nurturing your baby through breastfeeding is a fantastic way to bond with the new addition to your family. A breastfeeding relationship fosters your baby's attachment to you, builds your own connection with your baby, and helps baby feel naturally secure in your family.
There are many reasons to breastfeed your baby. When you breastfeed, you give your child the best nutrition possible, and you both share an excellent attachment experience!
Getting Started
What can you do, right now,
while you wait for your baby to come home?
Do Your Homework
Now is the time to research protocols and methods, find a supportive doctor, and look for a supportive lactation consultant. After you have all the information, make an informed decision on what will work best for you and your family. Make your decision based on your good research and with input from medical professionals, then get excited! You are doing something wonderful for your child!
Eat Right
Your nutrition is very important as you breastfeed your baby. Getting enough vital fat-soluable and water-soluable vitamins in your own diet can help ensure that those important nutrients show up in the breastmilk you make for your baby. Now is the time to build up your diet with vitamin-rich fruits and veggies and whole grains. Be sure to include oatmeal in your diet, as oats can help boost your milk production. Check with your doctor about how to create a healthy diet while you prepare to breastfeed.
Your nutrition is very important as you breastfeed your baby. Getting enough vital fat-soluable and water-soluable vitamins in your own diet can help ensure that those important nutrients show up in the breastmilk you make for your baby. Now is the time to build up your diet with vitamin-rich fruits and veggies and whole grains. Be sure to include oatmeal in your diet, as oats can help boost your milk production. Check with your doctor about how to create a healthy diet while you prepare to breastfeed.
Educate Yourself
There are tons of books about breastfeeding, so thumb through a few at the library and decide which will help you the most. You may want to purchase a general guide with tips on getting a good latch, positioning, and how to handle problems that may arise.
Rally Your Support System
Share your plans with the people in your life who can support you. Let them know how they can help you at each step of this process. Share information that will help them be able to help you. You may encounter those who try to discourage you from breastfeeding your adopted baby. Don't let them! I'm here to tell you that YOU can breastfeed ~ I've done it! Surround yourself with a few people who can support you in your efforts, then lose the critics!
There are tons of books about breastfeeding, so thumb through a few at the library and decide which will help you the most. You may want to purchase a general guide with tips on getting a good latch, positioning, and how to handle problems that may arise.
Rally Your Support System
Share your plans with the people in your life who can support you. Let them know how they can help you at each step of this process. Share information that will help them be able to help you. You may encounter those who try to discourage you from breastfeeding your adopted baby. Don't let them! I'm here to tell you that YOU can breastfeed ~ I've done it! Surround yourself with a few people who can support you in your efforts, then lose the critics!
Get Your Supplies
After you decide on the method you will use to induce lactation and breastfeed, you will need to gather your supplies. The earlier the better, as sometimes it may take a few days or weeks to locate or order the things you need. Even simple items like great pillows and a comfortable chair can make your breastfeeding experience much better. Make a list, and get things checked off!
After you decide on the method you will use to induce lactation and breastfeed, you will need to gather your supplies. The earlier the better, as sometimes it may take a few days or weeks to locate or order the things you need. Even simple items like great pillows and a comfortable chair can make your breastfeeding experience much better. Make a list, and get things checked off!
Our Story
My husband and I sat holding hands, giddy with excitement. We were snuggled on a couch in a back office at our adoption agency. We'd just driven 4 hours to finally bring home our first child, and the social worker was sharing some last minute details about when and where we would finally meet our baby daughter. We took notes for our baby's lifebook as she talked, and mentally wished the meeting would end so we could meet our sweet baby.
The social worker handed me a list of baby essentials that first-time parents might forget in all the excitement.
"Did you remember to stock up on diapers and bottles before you left home?" she smiled.
"Oh, yes," I replied. Then I added, "But I'm going to breastfeed."
Her smile faded and she shook her head. "Oh, I wouldn't recommend that. I've known some adoptive mothers who tried, but it doesn't work."
It felt like someone had taken a pin and popped my birthday balloon.
How could this be? The professionals at this adoption agency had required us to undergo months of parenting seminars and assigned readings in order to impress upon us the importance of attachment in an adoptive family. Yet this agency professional was actually discouraging one of the greatest attachment techniques mothers can share with their babies? Unbelievable.
The good news is, I followed my heart and I breastfed my baby anyway. The social worker was wrong. It does work, and it was the best gift I could give my child!
That was 12 years ago. Since then my husband and I adopted three more children into our family, and breastfeeding has been a wonderful part of our relationships. Our children came home to us from the United States, South Korea, and Ethiopia. Their ages at homecoming ranged from newborn to toddler. We've even had our share of special needs and particularly challenging circumstances. Each child is a precious blessing to our family.
