Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Deciding whether to switch from pump to protocol

Hi! We're adopting internationally and I found out about adoptive breastfeeding about the same time I found out we were certainly a month away from a referral (then travelling to gain custody of our babies just 2-3 weeks later). I started pumping while taking domperidone and fenugreek right away and am doing well - up to 10 oz./day after about 45 days. The problem is, the country abruply underwent severe upheavals both politically and re: international adoption, so we're packed and ready, but suddenly have no child in sight. As there are no guarantees of a child anytime soon from that country, we are starting to prepare a dossier for a second country at our agency's suggestion and see which 'works' first. It's unlikely that we'll get a referral from either country for at least 5 months.

So I'm struggling with the decision to either continue pumping and building milk supply for the next 5+ months or to reduce my milk supply and begin the regular protocol. I don't mind the pumping but I'm sure it'll get old after 5 months. On the other hand, we're adopting two babies at once, and filling the freezer with my milk doesn't sound like a bad option. I know it's my decision, but I'd love any thoughts or insight anyone might have. Thanks so much!!!!

Heidi

Heidi,
I am probaly not the most knowledgable one here on this post but I will give it a try. I can see the logic behind continuing to pump and also starting the protocol. But alas you cannot do both. I would also consider the fact that you will be getting two babies. What needs to be determined is what method will be better for milk production. Again I am not sure. As it stands right now it sounds like you are off to a good start. With the prospect of getting two babies it may be wise to be able to freeze your milk for the next five months or so. By the time the babies came your supply would well be established. In the chance you would have to supplement you could use a SNS or lactaid with your stored milk. On the other hand if you did the protocol for five months then shortly after that you were to recieve a referrel you may not have much time to work on your supply. Think about your situation and what you are comfortable with. Listen to what the other ladies have to say and when you are ready make a decision.

This past week I was trying to determine whether or not I really wanted to start pumping or not. I have been on the protocol for six months and my bcp runs out on April 3. We have just been recently approved for a domestic adoption but we do not know when a placement will happen. I too was struggling with do I really want to pump for months and months. I thought about it and worried about what to do. A few nights ago I decided to pray about it and I feel that I recieved an answer to go ahead and pump. I feel like it is taking a leap of faith but I know that it is the right thing for me. Since my decision is made there is no questions just a desire to work on my supply before our baby comes. We may not have a lot of notice of recieving a baby so I think it is good that I will start pumping soon. I hope this helps you with your situation.

Good Luck,
Bella

Bella, thanks so much for your reply! You pretty much echoed my thoughts, which is comforting. My friends and my husband are all incredibly and surprisingly encouraging about continuing to pump and stockpile. I think that's the most comfortable thing for me right now.

Funny, I had stopped my domperidone for three days and only expressed for comfort because initially I was ready to do the protocol, now that I have time. Then I became unsure and started back on the dom and my 6-7x daily expressing routine and my supply is right where I left it! What a nice surprise!

I hope everything goes well for you, too! I found that it's not too hard to fit pumping into my life, and I hope you find the same. It's kind of a nice break, actually. I mostly hand express when I'm at work, as it's faster for me and I have fewer big bags to carry on the bus with me - I generally have to finish off by hand after pumping, anyway, in order to really 'empty' my breasts.

Here's a question for people who know more about endocrinology. Does the pump's vacuum action provide a stimulus enhancing the body's own production of prolactin that you don't get when hand expressing? Or is emptying the breast the most important thing? Just curious.

Thanks!!!
Heidi

Heidi,
Hello. Sorry you had to change countries after being sooo close to traveling. I am guessing you were headed to Kazakhstan? We are doing Guatemala. Our son is from Peru.
We have been doing paperwork for six months, and are still waiting for our dossier to come back from the Embassy and for our official iNS letter (been 3.5 months).
I agree with Bella. Let me say that making 10 ounces after 45 days is absolutely OUTSTANDING! You are responding so well to the domperidone, I would not think to go on the protocol. I pumped for 5 weeks with the domperidone and onlymade drops, that is why I went on the long protocol. I have been on it 5.5 months so far.
You will have a nice stash in the freezer and you will be all set! Take care, Cathy

Hey Heidi,

You have an INCREDIBLE milk supply right now. Just keep going and you should be in GREAT shape.

Esther

Thanks for the encouragement, Cathy and Esther!! I have to say that it's so nice to have something working for a change that I was having a hard time with the idea of giving up being 'productive' and going back to waiting in yet another way.

Cathy, we were going through Bolivia, but we're headed for Peru now! We're in love with South America. <img src="http://www.asklenore.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> Yeah, the paperwork. ugh. We made this decision on Friday and I'm dashing to be ready to send my I-600A in tomorrow, because I know it will be a long wait. Good luck with everything! Guatemala seems like a wonderful country! --Heidi

Heidi,
When we were in Peru adopting our son it was very hard. We had to live there almost 7 months, yes months.
The whole government was overthrown (coup), there were armed guards on every street corner, bombs going off closeby and a severe water restriction..we only had cold water 30 minutes in 24 hour period.
I know Bolivia has had alot of rioting lately,,it was surprising to me as it always seemed like a peaceful country before.
In Peru the courts went on strike all the time, and the whole gov. would shut down for a month at a time. We had thought about going back to Peru, but since I am over 35 the youngest we could adopt there is age 3...and also, I don't think I could ever get my husband to adopt there again,,we were lied to so many times...we tried to adopt 2 back then and they said we couldn't ,,we had to wait six months and go back, then we found out that was a lie, that alot of people adopted two when they were there.
They say the stay is only 3 weeks now...I would get some references and see if that is true,,,they told us 8 weeks and it was 7 months.
The advantage to Peru is certainly the lower lawyer fees, generally 8 thousand vs 17 thousand in Guatemala,,but, we are able to adopt a newborn girl in Guatemala and we will live there about two months (you only have to stay 3.5 days, but we are chosing to stay as long as we can out of the 4 month period for the paperwork so she will not have to be in foster care too long and she will latch better since she will be younger.)
When we "did" Peru, you could get a very young baby, our son was 3 weeks old when we got there, but you had to live there for so long, I know of one woman who had to stay one year to get her two babies out of the country.
I thinjk after our newborn girl, I will try to talk my hubby into an older boy from Peru, but I am not sure he will go for it. By the way, do not eat salads there,,,,I ate one after 4 months I just had to have one,,,and I contracted cholera...had to be hospitalized for 3 days. If you have any questions let me know, I certainly know Peru very well. We lived in MIra Flores,,this is where I would suggest you stay also.
Again, contrat's on the 10 ounces a day. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about Peru. Are you a member of the Latin American Parents Association??? I can give you the info if you want also. Take Care,
Cathy

Wow, Cathy, that sounds like quite a trip! Yeah, Bolivia had seemed pretty safe and quiet to me, too. I know the elections last summer seemed to start a chain of greater unrest.

Hmmmm... I will talk to some people who've gone to Peru with our agency lately. I know my agency has been painfully honest with me in the past. They discouraged us from going to Peru last year, mainly because it was taking so long to get referrals there. They're just starting to do a few adoptions there again, as they've been told Peru has reorganized and referrals should take closer to 6-8 months now. Funny. We thought about Guatemala, too, but through our agency referrals take 8-9 months, and then paperwork takes 8-9 months. I thought I was too impatient to wait that long... but it turns out that I'm surviving, so I'm sure it would have been okay. <img src="http://www.asklenore.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the offer of info! I might take you up on it. We're just putting together the dossier now, so it'll be a bit before we go. And no, I'm not a member of LAPA yet, but I've visited their website a few times.

And you lasted much longer than I did!! I was in N Chile traveling around (Arica - just on the border with Peru) and it was only a week before I HAD to eat a salad. I was lucky, though, and didn't suffer ill effects from that one!

Take care -- Heidi

Heidi,
The facilitator we are using has 5 attorneys in Guatemala working with her. The referrals are only taking about one week, and her adoptions are around 4 months. In fact, I have had to turn down twins and several 2 year old boys (we had asked for a newborn girl and a boy age 5-7). They could not seem to find us an older boy, but lots of infants and toddlers.
You should def. get references from people who recently went to Peru. I hope you go to Machu Picchu when you are there, it is great! I got spit on by a IIama. Sorry, only cold water in resort type areas also and no heat anywhere. There seasons are opposite ours, since it is south of the equator. Take care, Cathy