Mothers May Be Able to Breastfeed Even if They Didn't Give Birth

Can an adoptive mother breastfeed her baby? Surprisingly, the answer is yes. According to American Adoptions, this question is becoming more and more commonly asked, generally with the inquiry beginning, “This may be a dumb question, but is there any way…?”

According to lactation experts, adoptive mothers can—and do—breastfeed their adopted babies. In fact, the ability to induce lactation in women who have not given birth is not a new idea. Historically, many babies have been passed to other women for nursing, and in some cultures it is common for grandmothers to breastfeed their grandchildren by inducing lactation naturally. This is done by skin on skin contact and nipple stimulation as babysitting grandmothers begin by dry-nursing a grandchild for comfort.

With the historical and cultural precedents set for a woman’s ability to induce lactation, adoptive mothers are being encouraged to breastfeed adopted babies if it is something they have a desire to attempt. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports the evidence that breastfeeding protects against a variety of illnesses in infants.

How Does Induced Lactation Work?

According to the Mayo Clinic, breastfeeding without pregnancy and childbirth is possible with much preparation and dedication. While a combination of medications and hormonal supplements can give a woman a boost to begin lactation by simulating the hormonal releases that occur naturally during pregnancy and birth, nipple stimulation through the use of the best breast pumps available is the critical key to inducing lactation in a woman who hasn’t given birth.

While this process can begin immediately when an adoptive mom takes custody, ideally—in a planned adoption—it works best when it’s begun well before the baby arrives. Typically, a woman will consult with her doctor before beginning, and then may be given hormone therapy to aid in preparing her for lactation. Then she uses a breast pump to provide sucking stimulation, starting for a five minutes several times each day, and increasing to ten minutes every four hours. In the week before the baby’s planned arrival the pumping should increase to 15 to 20 minutes every two hours. Any milk produced should be frozen and stored in preparation for the baby’s arrival.

Studies have shown that this process is easier in mothers who have breastfed previously, but can be successful even in women who have never been pregnant or given birth.

Supplementing an Adopted Breastfed Baby

Even after successfully inducing lactation, it may be necessary to supplement with formula or breast milk either until a plentiful supply is built, or perhaps all the way through until weaning, depending on the mother’s supply. This can be done by using a great baby formula that’s formulated to be close to breast milk and one of the best bottles for breastfed babies in order to avoid nipple confusion.

Another option for supplementing an adopted breastfed baby is through a nursing system. These feed an infant through a small tube which is placed close to the nipple and helps to increase a mother’s supply by continuing nipple stimulation during feeding. A nursing supplementing system also provides for essential skin on skin contact which helps to increase milk supply and is an important bonding tool for both mothers and infants.

Even if an adoptive mother finds herself unable to induce an adequate supply, it’s important to note that any amount of breast milk is beneficial, and the nursing process itself can be a huge bonding boost for both mother and child.

Resources— MedelaBreastfeedingUS, LalecheLeague, BreastfeedingUSA

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