Breastfeeding After Adopting A Baby? We Say Yes!

Adopting a child can provide a number of unique benefits and challenges for parents looking to expand their loving family. If you and your significant other are considering adopting a baby, it’s important to know about all of the challenges and decisions that lay ahead. One interesting decision that can provide long-term benefits for the bonding between you and your new child is whether or not to breastfeed. This activity — while still relatively unheard of — is gaining traction as a smart tactic for creating a stronger connection between the new parents and the baby. We understand if you are not up to date on this productive process, which is why our adoption center will spend some time today discussing the process of breastfeeding an adopted baby.

A is 4 Adoption was founded to help place more children in need into the arms of more loving families. Our owner went through the adoption process herself, seeing firsthand the complexities and roadblocks that often impede adults wanting to share their joy with a new child. Unlike any adoption agency in California, our center works directly with you as a guide through private adoption. If you are wanting to learn more, be sure to contact us after finishing this blog!

The Adoptive Breastfeeding Process

While breastfeeding is a normal phenomenon for new mothers, it can be much different for adoptive parents. If you plan on breastfeeding your newborn, it’s important to take steps in the pre-birth months to ensure a smooth transition. When done correctly, breastfeeding your adopted child will be nearly the same as feeding your own biological offspring. It’s important to complete the following tasks before the baby comes to prepare you for nursing. While this list is meant to be educational, it’s important to remember to speak with your healthcare professional before making any major lifestyle changes.

Speak with your Physician

The best step in ensuring optimal health for you and your future child is to speak with your family doctor at the start of it all. Your physician may not be up to speed on adoptive breastfeeding, and that is fine. The purpose of this visit is to check and ensure that you are healthy enough and that breastfeeding can fit into your family’s health plan. Domestic infant adoption provides the freedom for three feeding approaches:

Formula. Feeding your newborn from a bottle can be an effective approach. This choice is convenient and can ensure that your child is receiving the proper nutrients.
Donated breast milk. New mothers who do not wish to breastfeed directly can gain the same bonding benefits of this activity with donated substitutes. In many cases, this can involve using devices that nearly mimic breastfeeding perfectly.
Adoptive breastfeeding. The suckling of your new child helps them to bond with you on a level that is hard to match. You can breastfeed your adopted child if the proper steps are taken, such as increasing Prolactin.

Take Birth Control

While this may sound strange at first, it’s important to remember that hormones can dictate the rate of milk production. Birth control pills work by “tricking” your body into thinking it is pregnant. This helps to prevent contraception while also preparing the body for milk production. Again, be sure to speak with your doctor to create the best plan for your breastfeeding actions.

Start Taking Supplements

Based on your body type and chemical reaction, your doctor will likely instruct you to stop your birth control once your body has had time to prepare for milk production. Now that lactation has begun, it’s time to begin taking any over the counter medications and herbal supplements that will help increase milk production. Be sure to find products that are safe for breastfeeding mothers.

Start Pumping Milk

As the time draws near when adopting a baby, you can begin pumping breast milk to encourage more production within the body. Even if you are not receiving any milk through the pump, remember that this process takes time. Mothers who have not gone through the pregnancy process will need to further prep for the productive results. This process can be frustrating for some, but it’s important to remember that every effort you put in now will help the baby later on.

Introduce Additional Nourishment

One helpful approach when breastfeeding your adopted baby is to utilize the high inventory of supplements available today. Doing so can be very beneficial for mothers who do not naturally produce enough milk. Devices are available that can supplement your milk with formula products or donated milk from other mothers.

While breastfeeding after adopting a baby may sound strange, this practice has proven to be very beneficial for bonding between both mother and child. A is 4 Adoption is here to improve the adoption process for all of our clients, delivering amazing results to create the best outcome for the child at the center of it all. If you are looking for an adoption agency in California that can minimize your anxiety, turn to our adoption center instead! From birth mothers in need of quality support to adoptive parents seeking guidance, be sure to contact us today to see how we can help.