Home Forums Induced Lactation aka Adoptive Breastfeeding Medical Interventions to Induce Lactation/Increase Milk Supply Why do we bother?

I think the hormones are messing with my mind a bit, as I am trying to recall why I thought that nursing a suro-baby was a good idea.

I never expected to love nursing my bio-son as much as I did, and we kept at it for almost 2 years. I want to have that same experience with the baby I didn't carry, but if the best I can hope for is drops...is it even worth it? At some point if I stick with all of this can it ever truly get to a full-ish supply (i.e. I don't think using a lact-aid is worth it)?

(Feel free to ignore the hormonally challenged sleep deprived woman in the corner)

Have you started pumping? Where are you at in the process? I was able to achieve a full supply and ebf both of the daughters I adopted. I think you probably have a better chance if you have nursed before.
Jennifer

Not pumping yet because I have a trip coming up where I wouldn't be able to pump easily. It also gives me more time on the prometrium, which I guess is supposed to help. I will start pumping on 1/8, about 2 weeks before the baby is due.

Good to know that it eventually worked for you. Maybe I'll get lucky as well.

I don't think that my story is totally typical, but it worked pretty quickly for me. I was on the protocol for a long time (8 months the first time, 11 months the second) and I did bcp's instead of the prometrium, but the first time it was a stork drop situation, so I started pumping the day she was placed with us. I was able to stop supplementing when she was 2 weeks old and never had to supplement again. She was small (5lbs 12oz) which did help (she didn't need a ton of milk), but it did work for me. The second time we were matched and I started pumping about 10 days before the baby was due. I was making about 5-6 oz when she was born and I started nursing her when she came home from the hospital (at 2 days old). We supplemented with frozen breast milk. When she was 2 weeks old (and we were back at home - we adopted out of state) I stopped supplementing and ebf from that point on.

It is WAY harder than bf a bio child, but it is so worth it. Don't give up on it before you even start.

Jennifer

Hi Mollysmom: I'm sorry that you are struggling a bit right now. I was just re-reading some of the adoptive breastfeeding stories on the LLL website and am reminded again of why we bother. Check out some of the stories here: http://www.llli.org/nb/nbadoptive.html

I hope they inspire you and help lift you up. Cheers, Carrie

I remember thinking that while pumping before my daughter arrived. It started with just drops, but 6 weeks later on her due date I was up to 24 oz a day. Once she started nursing it literally increased overnight! I just finished breastfeeding my daughter for the past 13 months and I was able to stockpile my deep freezer, donate 500 oz to local twins, and lost 25 lbs without exercise! (now that I stopped the weight is coming back though). She can easily take a bottle, but there is something so convenient about nighttime breastfeeding, comforting, and not washing bottles (or paying $25 for a can of formula!). Hang in there!

I started pumping yesterday. Not much to report. About 7ml the first session, and just drops since. I know it can take time so I will try to stay positive. My cold isn't helping much.

Are you taking medicine for the cold?

No - IIRC cold medicine makes milk supply dry up, so I am trying to tough it out.

How's it going?
Jennifer