Breast Feeding for adopted babies?

Attention all future adoptive mom's!!!  Did you know that there is a good chance that you will be able to breast feed your new baby?

Nothing in medicine is 100%, of course.  Assuming that your body reacts normally to horomones and that the ductwork to your breasts is intact (ie, you did not have breast reduction surgery or mastectomy), then there is a good chance that you can breast feed your adopted baby.  This is good for both mom and baby.  It will provide the baby with antibodies and complement, all of which fight off infection.  Breast feeding also hopes to promote bonding between mom and baby and help to limit any sense of loss that the baby might feel.

Here is how we do it.
1.  Start an Herb called Fenugreek.  This herb is available from GNC and Wholefoods Market.  I usually recommend starting at 2 caps 4 times per day then tapering the medication off when the breast milk comes in.  Fenugreek is a safe and effective herb that we all consume to some degree.  It is used as the active ingredient in artifical maple syrup and used extensively in Indian cooking.

2.  Place the baby to breast 10 minutes on each side every two hours.  This will stimulate breast milk production and let down.  If you are doing a directed adoption and the baby is not here yet, you can pump your breasts 10 minutes each side every two hours.  This is not as effective as placing a baby there but given enough time will allow most women to lactate by the time that the baby arives.

3.  While waiting for your breast milk to come in, Feed the baby formula.  While it is true that breast milk is best, it is also true that starvation is WORSE.

Kevin M. Windisch MD, FAAP
Sparks Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
(775) 359-7111
975 Roberta Lane, suite 101 B, Sparks, NV 89431
www.facebook.com/sparkspeds.nv